Setup

In this step, we will do a clean installation and configuration of the game, which is required for the guide.

If you run into any issues at any point in the guide, please be sure to check the FAQ.
If your issue is not addressed there, join the Discord for support.

Install Location

A clean installation is not only required to get rid of any potential leftover mod files, but also to make sure the game is installed in a safe location. Here is what you need to know when choosing where to install your game:

• Avoid any default Windows folders: This includes but is not limited to C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files x86, your Desktop and your Documents folders. This is due to Windows UAC (or User Account Control), which heavily monitors and protects these folders. This can cause many issues with the game and any modding tools. An example of a safe location is C:\Games\Steam
• Install on an SSD if possible: Having the game on an SSD will drastically improve loading times and decrease stuttering.

Uninstalling the Game

If you do not have the game installed yet, skip this step.

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Find The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition in the list.
3. Right-click on it and select Manage -> Uninstall.
4. Navigate to Steam\steamapps\common\ and, if present, delete the Skyrim Special Edition folder.
5. Navigate to Documents\My Games and delete the Skyrim Special Edition folder.

Installing the Game

It is strongly recommended to install the game outside of any default Windows folders (such as Program Files (x86)), as the the strict Windows file protections of these folders can break certain mods/tools. Instead, we will use a tool called Steam Library Setup Tool to create a new Steam library folder outside of any default Windows folders. If you already have Steam installed outside of any default windows folders then skip this step and simply install the game to your custom Steam library.

1. Completely exit out of Steam using Task Manager or System Tray.
2. Download the steam_library_setup_tool-3.2.exe file from here.
3. Once downloaded, run the file and add a new entry by clicking Add Row.
4. Type the chosen path under Path, e.g. C:\Games\Steam
5. Click Accept then Yes if prompted to create a new folder.
6. The tool will ask to exit, select OK.

7. Open Steam and go to your Library.
8. Find The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition in the list and select Install.
9. Under Install to:, select the library folder created with the tool - the second C:\ entry if you are installing on the main drive.

If you still do not see your new library, restart your PC.

10. Select Next then wait for the install to finish.

Post-Installation

Key Terminology

Now that the game is installed, there are two folders from it that will be referred to in the guide often:

• Root folder: Where the game is installed.
• Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition
• Data folder: Where all of the game's assets are located.
• Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data

Enabling File Extensions

By default, File Explorer will not show file extensions (such as .exe, .dll, or .esp). These extensions are very important when going through the guide, so it is highly recommended to enable visible file extensions:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select the View tab at the top.
3. Enable File name extensions in the Show section.

Generating Fresh .INI Files

1. Run the game from Steam.
2. Click OK to both pop-ups that say Detecting Video Hardware.
• If there aren't any pop-ups, navigate to Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition and delete all the files ending in .INI then retry.
3. Select Options then select the Ultra preset option.
4. Set the Resolution option to your preference (the launcher usually does not set it to your monitor's max resolution).
5. Click OK then Exit.

Fixing DPI scaling

1. Right-click on SkyrimSE.exe in the root folder.
2. Open properties and navigate to the Compatibility tab.
3. Click on Change high DPI settings.
4. Set High DPI scaling override to Application.