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Thank you

Do not skip over any parts of this guide. We need to perform each and every step including but not limited to the Clean Reinstall video by GamerPoets. That includes all the steps in this guide both before and after the video. Be thorough!

Note
IF you've had any failed attempts with Vortex and installing mods Start at the Vortex section.
Then come back to the section titled "Start with a Clean Slate" and continue on.

So if you are playing on an unmodded vanilla game simply skip any references to Vortex in this guide.

Let's get you up and running.

Let's first make sure you are game ready.
Regardless of playing a vanilla or a modded game these steps are necessary
Even if this is your first time attempting to launch the game you may need to follow the stapes in this guide although these steps are most often needed between modding sessions. Keeping old saves is just as much of a bad idea as removing mods due to 2 words, Save data.
Information gets baked into your saves. So when we do a proper clean vanilla reinstall we are not only removing lingering files from our SSE directory but from appdata and save info as well.

For more on Information Baked Into Saves[www.afkmods.com]

Performing a Clean reinstall is something I do before each and every new load order I build. Not only is it a simple process (but you can't miss a step) it takes so very little time outside of reinstalling the game which is to be expected. This is why I put this guide together.

First follow this video which although it's more than a simple uninstall/reinstall is relatively simple but you must follow it exactly (pause the video where needed).

Vortex users if you previously have or had mods installed can first completely remove all mods by following the steps outlined under the
"Clean Vortex" section of this guide. The proceed to the video below.
(use this old but gold video)
This video is just part of the process so follow all steps in this guide, before and after.
https://youtu.be/g67CnHD1wvY
Here's a text version of the above video
Resetting Skyrim SE to Vanilla or A Clean Reinstall by grimus

Don't forget to delete the Starfield folder in appdata as shown in the above video:
Here's how:
Windows key + R
Type: appdata
Hit Enter
Now go to the "Local" folder
Find the Skyrim Special Edition folder and delete it.
Done

This is also a good time to clean up your Registry and also clean up unneeded files from your PC. If you already have a registry cleaner use it now. If not then CCleaner[www.ccleaner.com] has a free version that does a good job.

These Steps are as important as anything you'll do to ensure your game can launch properly

Make the Move
if you'll be modding your game move your game/library outside of Program Files
Moving a Steam Installation [Steam]

IMPORTANT - Open the Door
Make sure Skyrim Special Edition is allowed in.
You'll need to make Skyrim Special Edition whitelisted within your firewall and or virus protection.

Not sure what to do?
Go to the AntiVirus & Launch Problems section of my SSE Help Guide
Please do not Skip either!

*MUST HAVE FILES (Modding or Vanilla)

Install both the x64, and x86 versions of 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022 (x64 & x86 each comes all-in-one) file package.

*Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022
Then make sure this essential file installed properly - it's that important
you may already them so if prompted to repair choose yes:
Visual C++ Redist[docs.microsoft.com] Remember - take both the x64 and the x86 packages (some mods require x86).

* Make sure you have DirectX 11 (or greater)
DirectX [support.microsoft.com]

*Make sure your drivers are up to date. if you need help with that see this link:
*How to update your computer Graphic Drivers

*Make sure your game is using your video card.
For example if using Nvidia as I do then see the 2 Nvidia Control Panel - Global (and Program settings) sections of this guide:
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2266129651
If your game still won't launch make sure your Anti-virus or Bit defender is not blocking your game.

*Make sure you have enough free storage on your drive
HDD
Your storage drive needs room to run efficiently. Make sure you have at least 15-20% disk space free at all times and that's AFTER all your mods are installed if you're running a HDD.

SSD
I use the same rule of thumb for my SSD as I do for my HDD. Yes SSDs work without moving parts, giving them an advantage over HDDs. Games launch and levels load faster when installed on an SSD. SSDs provide a smoother experience in games that stream assets from storage. Matter oif fact I have 2 SSD's installed on my PC. None the less I always choose to err on the side of caution.

So for example if you are having launch issues with Skyrim and you're sure everything else is in order but you're drive space is less than 15% then at the very least free up some space and try launching your game.

We need to generate the configuration (.ini) files:

From your Steam Library: Launch your game to the settings window only and choose "Options" where you'll make sure your Resolution is correct and choose "Ultra", "Medium" etc.

Make sure it looks like this by also selecting "Advanced" Note: I play @1440 so select your resolution
Make sure you also choose "Advanced" expand this picture if needed

We want TAA and we want the boxes to look like above. with your resolution

Select OK and Exit.

FYI your new config files are located here:
C:\Users\Owner\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition
To change our display resolution in the future they in your SkyrimPrefs.ini file:
Look Under Display and find iSize H and iSize W
Mine looks like this
iSize H=1440
iSize W=2560

Set it to your monitor's resolution and save
Example: if you are 1920x1080 yours should look like this:
iSize H=1080
iSize W=1920

Also make sure your desktop settings match whichever resolution you chose and depending on if you're using a Nvidia or AMD GPU make sure they match as well.

BEFORE YOU START MODDING YOU MUST NOW LAUNCH THE GAME TO THE MAIN MENU
(not just the settings window)

You are now ready to either play vanilla or start modding your game. Enjoy.

Optional - Vortex users may want a clean state
USE THIS SECTION ONLY IF YOU ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH LEFTOVER MOD FILES
Also skip this section if you do not use Vortex mod manager

1. First go to Extensions and disable "Script Extension Error check" setting
(remember to re-enable it later after installing SKSE64)
2. Next, if either using or not using FNIS go to Settings and untick "Run FNIS on Deployment Event" (re-enable it later if you'll be reinstalling FNIS)
3. Staying in the "Settings" section also untick "Deploy Mods when Enabled.
(re-enable after game reinstall)
4. Now "Purge" your mods using the "Purge" button at the top of the Mods section.
5. Also In the "Mods" section click on any mod then "CNTRL+A" and look to the very bottom, you'll now see a new white section of options at the bottom. Use the "Remove" option (has a trash can icon next to it) and also check "Delete Archive", click "OK" and wait while Vortex does its work. When it's finished proceed to the final steps.
7. Now deploy mods - this will remove the plugins
8. Go to the plugin section and make sure there are no mod plugins remaining. You'll only be able to disable them here but you can go to your Data folder and remove them there. NOT the Game .esm's or the Creation Club content but mods you manually installed or dummy plugins like fnis that Nemesis (if you installed it) may have added.
9. Did you Go into your Data folder and double check for plugins that are not part of the base game (Ex: Bashed patch, or if you installed Nemesis which added a dummy plugin for FNIS or XPMSSE or both)?

Repeat Step 5 if there are any mods remaining in the "Mods" section of Vortex

Your old version of Skyrim SE is now completely Fus Ro Dahed off Vortex.

Don't forget to re-enable any settings from steps 1 thru 3

You can now follow the video by GamerPoets earlier in this guide in order to perform a Clean Reinstall of Skyrim Special Edition.

If you already completed everything including the section of this guide titled "Resolution".

Go to the Vortex "Plugins" section and make sure you can see the games base files.
The Plugins section should not be blank and if it's blank then from the "Mods" section of Vortex use the Verify Steam Files button up top.

You should now see the files in the plugin section of Vortex.

Note 1: Anytime you verify the integrity of your game files you have to redo your ini files and if you had previously ran Bethini you'll have to run it again as well.

Note 2: If you were experiencing trouble having Vortex installing SKSE64 the next time you launch Vortex you should see the prompt to auto install SKSE64.

OneDrive is know to cause issues with Skyrim

Don't confuse OneDrive with the Steam Cloud
Steam cloud will sometimes actually grab the OneDirve directory discretely even though it's supposed to be hidden.

If you are running into an issue where you are unable to; save games, see your previous saves, launch game past the main mnu, or having trouble with your INI files not being updated with your Options or BethINI settings, one of the first things you should do (if you are on a PC) is check (1) whether you have Microsoft's OneDrive turned on, and if so, (2) whether OneDrive is using your /Documents folder to sync with OneDrive.

Unfortunately simply turning off OneDrive changing permissions is at best a temporary fix and many times does not solve the problem at all. See the "Cloud / One Drive (Saves)" section of my SSE Help Guide for details on how to properly fix this issue.

IMPORTANT IF YOU'LL BE MODDING YOUR GAME
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2872091273

My suggestion regarding your ini files (Complete info is included in all my modding guides).

The most desired option of editing your .ini files is manually if you know exactly what you are doing otherwise you're better off leaving them as is. I do not recommend GeForce Experience for this game although I use GeForce for many other games. BethINI[www.nexusmods.com] does a far better job with your ini files in my opinion and my load order guides all include BethINI[www.nexusmods.com] and the steps for installing it. You'll also find instructions on the BethINI[www.nexusmods.com] mod page which is maintained by the folks over ar S.T.E.P.

See my Vanilla Plus Guide for a step by step walkthrough on properly setting up Bethini.

Now that you are ready to mod:
USE THIS GUIDE IF YOU ARE NEW OR RELATIVELY NEW TO MODDING
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2820697176

Then when done follow a load order guide from the next section

4/11/2023

• Added info on fixing OneDrive

10/19/2022

• Added Microsoft x86 of 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022 Redist package to required files

MODDING LOAD ORDER GUIDES FOR SKYRIM SE (Anniversary)
My guides for Skyrim SE (there is no game called "Anniversary Edition" as it's all Special Edition. There is however an Anniversary DLC. For the best results always refer to your game version)
For Current version 1.6.640
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2738338974
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2944593951

SKYRIM SE HELP GUIDES
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2266129651 https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1977191236 https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2225149260

Modding Load order guide for Skyrim SE 1.6.353
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2636368499

Modding Load order guide for Skyrim SE 1.5.97 https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1986067552

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