1. Open a command window "Run" by pressing «Win + R» and then enter the command: steam://open/console, and then press Enter.
This will open a console tab within Steam.

2. Enter these commands to download pieces of Skyrim 1.6.640 -

download_depot 489830 489831 3660787314279169352
download_depot 489830 489832 2756691988703496654
download_depot 489830 489833 5291801952219815735

These files have to be moved into your Skyrim directory folder in the order that they were downloaded so keep note of the second bunch of numbers, they literally have 1, 2 & 3 at the end so you know what order they go in.
The files are large in size so give them some time to download.



Once the files are complete you should see an exact location as to where the files were downloaded. You can copy paste that address in file explorer to instantly find your new downloaded files/folders. Once all the files have been collected, one by one, transfer the contents of each folder and overwrite whatever it prompts you to. After all 3 folders have been downloaded, head over to nexus mods to download the downgrade patcher.

This next part is the "hardest" part since you have to get a mod from Nexus Mods but im not going to paste a full external link, I dont know what Valve's ToS is on guides but i can give you the mod number for nexus.
The Mod > /skyrimspecialedition/mods/57618 < will have a plethora of files; Find one with this EXACT name: "FullPatcher_1.6.640.0-1.5.97.0.exe"



Once downloaded MANUALLY, run the program and when its ready, click the Patch button. It will do a bunch of stuff and notify you at the end when your game is done patching and ready to play.
If it lets you know your game is ready to play then you are pretty much set to go.



Now that you've done all this, the engine version went from the NEWEST version to 1.6.640 then 1.5.97.0. This may not work for everyone but thats your problem, if i can figure this out at 4am with no help, so can you. This guide is also ONLY for the NEWEST version of Skyrim (Jan 17 2024) and as im typing this right now, there is no proper downgrade patcher solution. This guide is ONLY for going from 1.6.640 to 1.5.97.0 although the steps could be recreated for other version engines and downgrade patchers but thats for someone else, my Skyrim is done and ready to play and i hope yours is too.

Don't forget to launch through SKSE please.

Thanks for readin!

(THIS GUIDE USES A FULL PATCHER TO COMPLETELY REMOVE CC CONTENT. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE CC CONTENT, FIND ANOTHER GUIDE.)