Definitive guides to setting up Skyrim SSE/AE/VR for modding in 2024 - Installation & initial setup, downgrading, preventing updates, Root Builder, seasons, and more. LOD (xLodGen, TexGen,DynDOLOD) coming soon.
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Changelogs
Version 1.17.10
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Updated section 3 and some image text descriptions with modified version/downgrade information since downgrading is no longer possible
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Updated section 3.1.1 to also include _ResourcePack.bsa and _ResourcePack.esl for consistency with other guides, even though downgrade is no longer possible, since updated versions of USSEP and LOTD now require this (thanks @davemcknz, @Schinkennudel, and @ddsonic28 for bringing this to my attention)
Version 1.17.9
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Updated section 2.2.1 to also include _ResourcePack.bsa and _ResourcePack.esl since updated versions of USSEP and LOTD now require this (thanks @davemcknz, @Schinkennudel, and @ddsonic28 for bringing this to my attention)
Version 1.17.8
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Updated section 3 with modified version/downgrade recommendations and wording (again) as of recent mod updates
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Updated section 3.1 to also include _ResourcePack.bsa and _ResourcePack.esl since updated versions of USSEP and LOTD now require this (thanks @davemcknz, @Schinkennudel, and @ddsonic28 for bringing this to my attention)
Version 1.17.7
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Fixed manifest ID for download for users using updated masters from Skyrim SE (thanks @RBxDash for spotting this!)
Version 1.17.6
How to Generate Grass Cache Files - Updated steps to enable grass cache ‘mods’ after generating (rather than leaving them disabled). This was a holdover from my Seasonal grass cache guide and I had forgotten to update it (thanks @aldfrid for noticing)
Version 1.17.5
Downloading Anniversary Upgrade and In-Game Store Content Files on a Downgraded Version of Skyrim (Steam) - Fixed section 2.3 reference to 'Skyrim - Interface.bsa' inside of depot_489831 (was supposed to be inside depot_489832) (thanks @Celevan for noticing)
Version 1.17.4
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Updated section 3 with modified version/downgrade recommendations and wording as of recent mod updates
Version 1.17.3
How to Generate Grass Cache Files (with Seasons) - Added spoiler tags for optional sections
Version 1.17.2
How to Generate Grass Cache Files - Added spoiler tags for optional sections
Version 1.17.1
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Removed use-case for No Grass in Objects / Grass precache generation since the mod has been updated for use with all versions of Skyrim
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Removed use-case for using latest version to download Creation Club content and/or Anniversary Upgrade files as I have a more specific guide for that
Version 1.17
How to Generate Grass Cache Files (with Seasons) - Guide added
Version 1.16
How to Generate Grass Cache Files - Guide added
Version 1.15.1
Downloading Free Creation Club Content Files - Minor correction in Steam process
Version 1.15
Downloading Anniversary Upgrade and In-Game Store Content Files on a Downgraded Version of Skyrim (Steam) - Guide added
Updating Skyrim Game Masters - Updated section 4.2 to point to my existing Managing Creation Club Content with your Mod Manager guide
Updating Skyrim Game Masters - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.13.4
Downloading Free Creation Club Content Files - Added steps for GOG users
Downloading Free Creation Club Content Files - Updated section 3 to point to my existing Managing Creation Club Content with your Mod Manager guide
Downloading Free Creation Club Content Files - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.13.3
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Fixed section 3.5.1.2 subtext which affected Nexus article only
Version 1.13.2
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Fixed section 4.5.1.2 subtext which affected Nexus article only
Version 1.13.1
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Fixed section 4.5.1.2 subtext which affected Nexus article only
Version 1.13
Managing Creation Club Content with Your Mod Manager - Guide added
Version 1.12.1
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update (Steam) - Added section 3.4 for Vortex users
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update (Steam) - Added steps for Creation Club files
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update (Steam) - Updated section for deleting existing game files to refer to my Skyrim stock game files list
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update (Steam) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.12
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update (GOG) - Guide added
Version 1.11
Prevent Skyrim from Updating - Guide added
Version 1.10.6
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Removed one of the options to obtain updated SSE game files as the option to download these from the Steam console will cover that option as well
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Added list of all options into each applicable section for soft copy version for easier navigation as there are no spoiler tags available for use
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Rewrote Creation Club content sections to be more streamlined and included additional content picker options
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Updated Vortex images
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.10.5
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Added list of all options into each applicable section for soft copy version for easier navigation as there are no spoiler tags available for use
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Rewrote Creation Club content sections to be more streamlined and included additional content picker options
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.10.4
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Added list of all options into each applicable section for soft copy version for easier navigation as there are no spoiler tags available for use
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Added additional option to Creation Club content section
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.10.3
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Rewrote Creation Club content sections to be more streamlined and included steps to utilize Curation Club MO2 plugin as one of the content picker options
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.10.2
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Added clarity on 'Creations' menu for GOG users
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Added section for restoring 'Creations' menu if it is inaccessible (for Steam users)
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Removed instructions on ensuring no more files were in the root Skyrim game folder (MO2 complains about the Skyrim instance upon doing this)
Version 1.10.1
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Reorganized Final Considerations section
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Added sections 4.4 and 4.5 to further clarify end state of folder structure
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Modified all applicable steps to ignore the /Data/Video folder instead of moving it
Root Builder - Managing Multiple Skyrim Game Versions - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Updating Skyrim Game Masters - Updated all sections referencing CC Survival Mode and Skyrim VR to provide more accurate compatibility information and better recommendations
Version 1.9.3.2
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Fixed version number in .pdf footers
Version 1.9.3.1
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Fixed version number in .pdf footers
Version 1.9.3
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Updated all sections referencing CC Survival Mode to provide more accurate compatibility information and better recommendations
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Updated USSEP section to reflect CC Survival Mode compatibility updates
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.9.2
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Updated info surrounded SSE Engine Fixes since this mod has been updated to work with versions 1.6.1179 and above.
Version 1.9.1
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Updated info surrounded SSE Engine Fixes since this mod has been updated to work with versions 1.6.1130 and above.
Version 1.9
Downloading Free Creation Club Content Files - Guide added
Version 1.8
Updating Skyrim Game Masters - Guide added
Version 1.7.2
Skyrim Compatibility and Troubleshooting Guide - Minor formatting changes
Version 1.7.1
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim - Added Creation Kit manifest information
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim - Minor formatting changes
Version 1.7
Skyrim Game Files List - Guide added
Version 1.6.10
Root Builder - Installation and Usage - Minor formatting changes
Version 1.6.9
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim - Minor formatting changes
Version 1.6.8
Skyrim Compatibility and Troubleshooting Guide - Slightly increased default font size for article readability
Skyrim Compatibility and Troubleshooting Guide - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Skyrim Compatibility and Troubleshooting Guide - Added Further reading section (including changelog)
Version 1.6.7
How to Clean Game Files - Added section 5.3.1 for Batch Plugin Cleaner instructions for MO2 users
How to Clean Game Files - Slightly increased default font size for article readability
How to Clean Game Files - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
How to Clean Game Files - Added changelog
Version 1.6.6
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update - Slightly increased default font size for article readability
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Fixing an Accidental Skyrim Update - Added changelog
Version 1.6.5
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Update section 3.6.1.1 since xEdit script was removed from Nexus / the USSEP team
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Slightly increased default font size for article readability
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Added changelog
Version 1.6.4
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Revamped guide to better explain and support 1.6.1179+ versions by making downgrade optional, reorganizing sections to accommodate, and providing additional disclaimer information
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Slightly increased default font size for article readability
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Skyrim Initial Setup (GOG) - Added changelog
Version 1.6.3.1
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Updated section 1.2.2.4 to delete ALL files since downgrade which previously performed this step is now optional
Version 1.6.3
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Revamped guide to better explain and support 1.6.1130+ versions by making downgrade optional, reorganizing sections to accommodate, and providing additional disclaimer information
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Slightly increased default font size for article readability
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Other minor corrections and formatting changes
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Added changelog
Version 1.6.2
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim - Fixed 1.6.1170 manifest IDs (thanks @BluePaperJet for notifying)
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim - Increased default font size for article readability
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Minor corrections and formatting changes
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Minor corrections and formatting changes
Version 1.1
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Moved 'Master game files' section below 'Creation Club content' section due to not being able to download Anniversary Upgrade content files if the master game files were already moved.
Version 1.0
Skyrim Initial Setup (SSE/AE) - Guide added
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR) - Guide added
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim - Guide added
Skyrim Compatibility and Troubleshooting Guide - Guide added
2024 Skyrim Modding Guides Created and maintained by infernalryan
Overview The guides on this page provide instructions on how to properly set up Skyrim SSE/AE and Skyrim VR for modding in 2024. Whether you are a complete beginner, a seasoned Skyrim modder, or somewhere in between, you will find useful information here. These guides cover all required and recommended steps for performing various modding tasks, from initial setup, to optimizing existing setups, to advanced topics with information and procedures for cleaning game files, LOD generation (coming soon), and Creation Kit setup. Additionally, troubleshooting and resource guides, as well as advanced MO2 guides are also available.
All guides have been written to include steps for both Vortex and Mod Organizer 2, where applicable, and for SSE/AE, steps for both Steam and GOG are included. All articles are linked below.
A soft copy of the initial setup guides can also be downloaded in the files section.
Track this mod (site) via the Track button on this page to receive notifications whenever new guides are posted.
New Game / Modlist Guides
Initial Setup Guides These guides contain instructions on initial setup of Skyrim, including installation, downgrading, preventing updates, preparation and installation of updated game masters and CC content (i.e., "best of both worlds"), installation of essential and recommended mods, etc..
How to Generate Grass Cache (with seasons) ⭐NEW (v1.17)⭐ This guide will provide instructions on how to generate grass precache with seasons support using No Grass in Objects.
How to Generate LOD (xLODGen, TexGen, DynDOLOD) - Planned for v1.18 (in progress)
Downgrade support guides These guides cover how to update masters on a downgraded game version, how to prevent your game from updating, and how to fix an accidentally updated game.
Updating Skyrim Game Masters This guide will provide instructions on how to update Skyrim game master files (.esm, .esl, and .bsa) for existing mod lists. Doing so will provide additional compatibility (i.e., "best of both worlds") and should not affect existing save games.
Creation Club content guides These guides cover how to (re-)download and manage both Anniversary Upgrade and free Creation Club content files on any version of Skyrim.
Managing Creation Club Content with your Mod Manager ⭐NEW (v1.13)⭐ This guide will provide instructions on how to manage Creation Club content with your Mod Manager. This includes the 4 free Creation Club mods which came with Skyrim version 1.6, as well as all Anniversary Upgrade content.
Downloading Free Creation Club Content Files This guide will provide instructions on how to download free Creation Club DLC files contained in version 1.6 if you are currently running a pre-AE release of Skyrim (i.e., 1.5.97), Skyrim VR, or otherwise just need to redownload them.
Downloading Anniversary Upgrade Content Files (GOG) ⭐NEW (v1.14)⭐ This guide will provide instructions on downloading Anniversary Upgrade content for GOG users, as well as for Steam users that also own the Anniversary Edition for GOG.
MO2 Guides These guides cover Mod Organizer 2 tips and tricks and Root Builder usage.
How to Share a Mod List Between Skyrim SSE and VR - Planned
How to Migrate from Vortex to MO2 - Planned
Miscellaneous Guides
How to Clean Game Files This guide will provide instructions on how to properly clean game files, which include both vanilla game masters as well as user submitted mods.
Skyrim Compatibility and Troubleshooting Guide Reference guide intended to help provide players with fundamental understanding of the Skyrim game engine to help diagnose and troubleshoot common compatibility issues.
Creation Kit Installation and Setup - Planned
Reference
Steam Manifest List for Skyrim Reference guide with all Steam manifests for Skyrim SSE/AE game versions, additional languages, and the Creation Kit.
Skyrim Game Files List Reference guide with all stock (vanilla) game files for Skyrim SSE/AE (Steam and GOG), Skyrim VR, and Anniversary Upgrade DLC, as well as Creation Kit files.
Please let me know if you encounter any issues or spot any errors in the guides. Also please consider ENDORSING if you find these guides helpful! This will help with site visibility for other users.
