Skyrim download and installation:

 

Before the download choose the right place to install Skyrim:

• Install Skyrim on a separate drive/partition from the one the Operating System is installed on, or:

  • ⚠️Avoid installing Steam and Skyrim in "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)" folders since Windows User Account Control [UAC] can prevent writing files by 3^rd party programs.

  • Especially NMM suffers if Skyrim is installed in c:\program files.

 

After the download and installation:

After the download and installation process:

• go to steam games library > choose Skyrim and right click on it > choose: „check local files for errors“ (only once, steam will repair and download the same files over and over)

• go to steam games library > choose Skyrim and right click on it > choose: „update game only on game start“

 

Starting Skyrim the first time:

• ⚠️start Skyrim via Launcher (not via SKSE) once to generate skyrim.ini and skyrimpref.ini,

  • you can find the *.ini in Users\<mygames>\skyrim

    • Users\<mygames>\skyrim:  savegames and papyrus logs can be found there too

 

Backup Time:

• because downloading Skyrim from Steam takes hours and messing up the Skyrim installation is easy to do, its a good idea to make a zip Backup of the whole Skyrim folder: create a zip archive from \Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim

Sometimes it's necessary to reinstall Skyrim from scratch.

 

Usually you could just uninstall Skyrim, delete the leftovers and drop your Skyrim Backup into the old Skyrim folder.

Still this means you have to recreate all those *.ini files again and you will loose your saved character presets and mod MCM settings (*.json).

Also you will have to search for all those stability tool files again.

 

So I was thinking what files I would rescue for a faster Skyrim rebuild:

⚠️RESCUE THOSE FILES BEFORE UNINSTALLING ANY MODS

 

For NMM:

[ > Nexus Mod Manager > mods ]

• Backup of all mod zip files.

Especially if they got renamed or modified.

Just drop the zips back into your NMM mods folder after moving or reinstalling NMM.

 

 

[ > Nexus Mod Manager > mods > categories ]

• Categories.xml

I create lots of categories in NMM to keep the Overview.

Just drop the zips back into your NMM mods folder after moving or reinstalling NMM.

 

 

For all:

[ > skyrim ]

• Screenshots!

Hey, some of them are actually good ?

 

[ > skyrim ]

• d3d9.dll
• enbhost.exe
• enblocal.ini

Save the trouble to download them again and you have a ready to use enblocal.ini for the new Skyrim installation.

 

If you are there already also grab the:

• d3dx9_42.dll

from the SKSE Plugin Preloader

 

[ > skyrim > data > skse ]

I just copy the whole SKSE folder.

In there you find:

• Nioverride.ini
• SKSE.ini
• Mod *.json files (MCM settings and more)
• Character Presets
• HDT settings
• Crashfix.ini
• CrashfixPlugin files
• StorageUtilData

 

[> skyrim > data]

Schlongs of Skyrim saves it's MCM json into the data folder:

• SOS.json

 

 

After reinstalling Skyrim just grab the files needed from your backup SKSE folder.

⚠️Don't just copy the whole folder over, because some might not be needed for your new setup or might even conflict with newly installed/updated mods (for example DFC v12.x doesn't go well with json created with DFC earlier than v12.x.)

⚠️Some mods can't read a copy-pasted json right away, in that case save the MCM ingame once and exchange the json with the one you used last.

Cleaning the Skyrim DLC Master files with TES5Edit:

 

Since 2019 TES5Edit comes with a new Mod cleaning feature: "QuickAutoClean"

 

Reasons to clean Skyrim files and why TES5Edit is a useful tool:

• Grab TES5edit from here: TES5Edit
• How to Install and use TES5Edit: GamerPoets cleaning Playlist
• Why to do it: Manual Cleaning Guide by alt3rn1ty or watch GamerPoets cleaning Playlist

Master files to be cleaned:

• update.esm
• dawnguard.esm
• hearthfires.esm
• dragonborn.esm

Cleaning Procedure:

Basically you will have to repeat those steps with each Master file in TES5Edit:

• start TESVEdit via TES5EditQuickAutoClean.exe
• choose only one mod ESM and press "ok"
• TES5Edit's QuickAutoClean will clean the mod automatically, wait till it finishes it's job
• close TES5Edit and changes will be saved
• Repeat this procedure for all Master files

SKSE & SKSE.ini:

 

What SKSE does:

• I found this page helpful, because I like explanations that start with: "I can try to simplify this one..." [behippo]
• Basically SKSE = Skyrim Script Extender, it extends the Papyrus Script with more functions for coders
• In addition creating a SKSE.ini activates Memory (Block) Fix

 

Where to grab SKSE:

• grab SKSE from here: SKSE
  • grab the 7zip archive for manual installation

 

Best way to install SKSE:

• Install SKSE is manually from the 7z archive

 

Manual SKSE installation:

1. unzip downloaded SKSE file
2. Copy the following files to Steam\SteamApps\common\skyrim\:
   • skse_1_9_32.dll
   • skse_loader.exe
   • skse_steam_loader.dll
3. The "src" folder is only useful for programmers, most users can ignore it.
4. Copy the files from the skse data folder to Data\Scripts\ Skyrim folder. The pex files are needed by all users of SKSE.
5. If you create mods, copy the psc files in Data\Scripts\Source\ into the Data\Scripts\Source\ folder of your installation. The .psc files are only needed if you have the CreationKit installed and intend to create or compile Papyrus scripts. It doesn't hurt if you copy the psc files over too.

 

Creating a SKSE.ini:

• Create a SKSE.ini, because SKSE doesn't create one automatically.
• The SKSE.ini is also activates the Memory Block Fix.
  • More info about the SKSE.ini and Skyrim Memory handling: Gopher's Skyrim Mod Sanctuary 84 : Skyrim Memory Patch
• SKSE is also essential part of memory management, more details here:  2020 Skyrim LE Stability Guide
• With a simple SKSE.ini you can already create a more stable Skyrim thanks to better memory management. If you need to provide your setup with more memory then check out the next chapter about ENBoost.

 

• To create a skse.ini just use any text editor (MS Editor, Notepad++ and others)
• The SKSE.ini is saved to: skyrim/data/SKSE
• If the SKSE folder doesn't exist yet, just create one.
• The SKSE.ini should look like this:

 

[Display]
iTintTextureResolution=2048
[General]
ClearInvalidRegistrations=1
EnableDiagnostics=1
[Memory]
DefaultHeapInitialAllocMB=768       the SKSE memory settings can be fine tuned with the help of Memory Blocks Log
ScrapHeapSizeMB=256
[Debug]
WriteMiniDumps=1

 

 

Alternatively download this ready to use SKSE.ini: skse.ini with folders.7z

 

Crash fixes, Crashfixplugin.ini:

 

What Crash fixes does and why you need it:

• Fixes various issues found here: How to debug CTD
• Fixes the vanilla Skyrim savegame string limit for more than 65535 strings. With mods installed that rise the string count significantly you will quickly find yourself over the 65k string count limit.
  • You can check your string count via FallrimTools.
  • Crash fixes changes the savegame format to archive this. To be able to still open the save game with a savegame cleaner use FallrimTools
  • More details about FallrimTools can be found on this blog page (?pending).
• Crash fixes comes also with a memory allocator function
• For more information about Crash fixes and hints to create a stable Skyrim setup read the Crash fixes page. More details about what Crash fixes does can be found in it's change log (spoiler at the end of the Crash fixes Nexus page)

 

Where to get Crash fixes and it's requirement:

• Crash fixes can be found here: Crash fixes
• SKSE Plugin Preloader can be found here: SKSE Plugin Preloader

 

What needs to be installed and where:

• Crash fixes files go to "skyrim/data/SKSE/plugin":

  • CrashFixPlugin.dll

  • CrashFixPlugin.ini

  • CrashFixPlugin_preload.txt

 

• SKSE Plugin Preloader file goes to ".../Skyrim":  

  • d3dx9_42.dll

 

Activating Crash fixes memory allocator patch:

• open Crashfixplugin.ini in "Skyrim/data/SKSE/plugin":
  • change this setting from 0 to 1:
    • UseOSAllocator=1
      • If UUNP RaceMenu sliders are used change the following line from 0 to 1:
        • AlignHeapAllocate=1

 

Alternatively download this ready to use CrashFixPlugin.ini: CrashFixPlugin.ini with folders and AlignHeapAllocate=1 for ENBoost.7z

 

ENBoost & enblocal.ini

 

⚠️ Don't use this Guide to install a full ENB with ENB preset. ⚠️

 

What is ENBoost:

• Various quotes about what ENBoost does:

 

• Here an easy to follow video that explains the shared functions of ENBoosters and ENCabulators in detail:

 

 

Why you want ENBoost:

• Loosely quoted from 2020 Skyrim LE Stability Guide:
  •  Frees game process memory from texture data and uses system RAM outside of TESV.exe for dynamically allocated cached data.
  • VRAM usage optimized

 

 

Optional - What you might want to install first:

• DirectX 10

  • if you haven't already or later if you have issues even you're sure you installed all fixes correctly.

  • DirectX 10 can be found in the Skyrim folder

 

 

Preparations to install ENBoost:

• grab Enboost from here:

  • ENBSeries
  • ⚠️don't use ENBseries v0.472, this version causes CTD after any alternate start in ENBoost configuration! Use only ENBseries versions below 0.472! ⚠️
  • last tested and working version for ENBoost: ENBseries v0.434

• useful tool for the videomemorysizemb configuration, if you don't use the available memory auto detection:

  • VramSizeTest

• Slothability shows how to configure Enboost with Chopin support:

  • 6:59 ENBoost configuration

  • since the available memory auto-detection works now this is mainly interesting if auto-detect doesn't work for your system

• More detail information about enblocal.ini settings here: STEP WIKI

 

 

Installing ENBoost files:

• After downloading the ENBSeries zip, extract it and copy only the following files from the wrapper version folder
  • to ...\skyrim

    • d3d9.dll

    • enbhost.exe

    • enblocal.ini

 

 

Configuration of the enblocal.ini for ENBoost:
[global]

usepatchspeedhackwithoutgraphics=true

• CTD after using LAL bed if using ENBoost and set this to false (like you would for an ENB)

usedefferedrendering=false

 

[memory]

expandsystemmemoryx64=false

• crash fixes will take over this part

reducesystemmemoryusage=true

enablecompression=true

reservedmemorysizemb=128

• (-256-384-512-640-768-896-1024) pick your poison, start small and rise if there is stuttering in-game

videomemorysizemb=6144

• check out Slothability's video for how to find the exact settings for your system or set AutodetectVideoMemorySize=true

AutodetectVideoMemorySize=true

• If set to true ENBoost will automatically detect your available memory and ignores videomemorysizemb=6144
   

[engine]

MaxAnisotropy= 16

• ⚠️make sure anisotrophic filtering is deactivated in the Skyrim launcher, don't forget to deactivate this function in NIVIDA settings too.

enablevsync=true

 

[antialiasing]

enableEdgeAA=true

 

[fix]

fixaliasedtextures=false

fixtintgamma=false

 

 

Changes in the skyrimpref.ini for ENBoost according to Slothability's Guide:

[display]

bfloatpointrendertarget=1

imultisample=0

imaxanisotropy=0

 

 

Alternatively download this ready to use enblocal.ini, ENBseries v0.434:0434 enblocal.ini configured for ENBoost.7z

 

BethINI

 

What does the tool do:

• Effects the configuration files: Skyrim.ini and Skyrimpref.ini
• BethINI optimizes the game for increased graphical fidelity and performance.
• Repairs configuration files after user error or evil mods
• Removes unused configuration entries and writes missing ones
• Optional Tweaks
• It also makes a backup of your original configuration files

 

Why you want it:

• Badly configured Skyrim.ini, Skyrimpref.ini can cause CTD, glitches, fps drop
• BethINI optimizes and repairs your Skyrim.ini and Skyrimpref.ini with just a few clicks

 

Grab it from here:

• BethINI

 

Hint:

• if you changed manually some configuration entries for good reasons, BethINI might remove those, so you have to re-add them later after BethINI is done.

 

FallrimTools

 

What it does:

• Needed to control your savegame
• Needed to manipulate your savegame
• FallrimTools includes ReSaver, which is a powerful savegame editor/cleaner.

 

Why you want it:

• If Crash fixes changes savegame format you will need ReSaver to open it, because older cleaners like SaveTool won't be able to open it anymore if you go over the vanilla string count limit.
• To check your save games regularly for errors.
• Clean your save game from leftovers after uninstalling a mod or for creating a clean save before updating a mod
• To clean your save from unattached script instances and undefined elements
• Check for suspended stacks and a too high active script count
• To see which mods add what to your savegame.
• LO can be exported with ReSaver as txt to post it in LL comments

 

Grab it from the Nexus:

• FallrimTools

 

Requirement for FallrimTools:

• FallrimTools needs Java

NetImmerse Override Cleaner (SKSE Co-Save Cleaner Utility)

 

What it does (blindly copied):

• A lightweight utility capable of deleting data from SKSE co-save files, thus decreasing both the sizes of those files and Skyrim save and load times.
• More details here: NetImmerse Override Cleaner

 

Why you want it:

Every savegame from a modded Skyrim comes with two files:

• *.ess
  • Main Save
    • you open that one with ReSaver (FallrimTools)
• *.skse
  • SKSE Co-Save
    • might need cleaning too, that's where SKSE Co-Save cleaner comes into play!

 

• SKSE Co-Save might grow over time, in worst cases it gets bloated.
• Big SKSE sizes cause longer save/loading times, in worst cases (bad mod, bad!) it makes the savegame unable to save/load or the stored data can cause glitches ingame.

 

• File archiver 7zip
  • Download: https://www.7-zip.org/
  • ? requirement for extracting LL mod archives and multi archives!
  • must have file archiver for LL
  • allows to compress/decompress archives you download from LL
  • important to merge zip multi-part archives
  • includes file browser to view/manipulate compressed files
  • also supports rar files
  • ? About extracting multi-part archives:
    • @MadMansGun even made a vid about it: Downloading & Extracting a Split Volume 7Zip File.mp4

 

• Notepad++
  • Download: https://notepad-plus-plus.org/downloads/
  • Notepad++ is a source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports several languages.
  • Great if you want to check/modify some json files and others
  • Basically a code editor