Running 2 x Skyrim in different installation setups ?

[Sunja44]

I am tweaking and experimentating a lot with mods, replacement of single files of mods, different ENB presets, different mod setups, ini.configs etc.

 

I wonder if it is possible to have two (or more) modded Skyrim installations on the same hard drive, both usable (not simultaneously of course)

 

-Skyrim folder itself should not be a problem, just rename it to let's say Skyrim1, install a second vanilla Skyrim over Steam, which creates a new vanilla Skyrim and Data folder. Mod this new Skyrim. Rename the Skyrim folder to Skyrim2, rename your old one to Skyrim.

 

-.ini file switching in the my games folder should be no issue too (in fact I do that already with only one Skyrim installation).

 

-saved games, ok, they all go into the same folder. You just have to be careful to load the right ones, fitting to your current installation. I assume renaming your saved games by giving them a proper description makes handling easier.

 

-Boss and Tes5Edit shouldn't be a problem too, you can install them into the Skyrim or Data folder for each of the Skyrim clone folders above, several times. Although Wrye Bash should be installed into the games folder, it actually works well when you install it into the Skyrim folder too.

 

-issues might cause other tools, like NMM I don't think NMM can handle more than one mod setup/config and how does the windows registry handle several installations of one and the same application (.exe)?

 

I have a 1 TB Samsung Evo 840 SSD, disc space does not matter.

 

Anybody succeeded into doing this and has any advice to share?

 

 

[h38fh2mf]

Here it says something about running multiple profiles at the same time and switching between them easily, I didn't test it though and it seems to be alpha so there might be problems and it only handles mods and not ini files I believe.

[Rayblue]

It's been around, but some heavy modders use Mod Organizer to switch around mods, gamesaves, and configs.

[functionvoidss]

I'm running Skyrim on Linux using PlayonLinux/WINE. In this set-up your complete Skyrim Windows installation is a folder in your home folder with the basic alements you need to run -in this case- Skyrim. This way I can have a clean install at the ready to use as a base for a new set-up. So when I want to quickly test a mod over a vanilla installation I just make a copy of the clean install folder and place it next to my gaming version.

 

FV

[Sunja44]

Oh, this NMM alpha release sounds as it might be the thing I need, but I am not that brave to test it. I will wait, but thx for answers :-)

 

Btw, saves should be no problem at all too.

 

Some googling bought up an .ini edit called SLocalSavePath=Saves\

 

Here you are able to edit the save path for each Skyrim installation, like for example:

 

SLocalSavePath=Saves1\

 

I just tested it, created a folder "saves1" on the same folder level as "saves" and shifted a save game file to there. Skyrim loads and gives me the option to load this one save game in the main menu under the load option.

 

No idea if it might be possible to edit a whole other path maybe even to another drive there, no idea, but not needed, two different save game folders are already sufficient. Just rename them according to your Char names in different Skyrim installations and edit it in the according .ini files you always have to switch with the different Skyrim installations.

[nooblet123]

You need to change the path in the registry and then you can run Skyrim from another location. So make 2 bat files that'll run  a different  .reg file (that'll change the registry) and launch skyrim from different locations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bethesda Softworks\Skyrim]
"Installed Path"="C:\\The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim\\"

 

 

 

 

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Bethesda Softworks\Skyrim]
"Installed Path"="D:\\The Elder Scrolls V Skyrim\\"

 

 

rename the ini files and save folder with a bat too