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🏷️Guide version: 2.0.0 (📅04/15/2026)
🐉Skyrim versions: 1.4.x (1.4.15 current)
Full 🗒️changelog available at end of guide
Skyrim Initial Setup (VR)
An infernalryan Skyrim Modding Guide
¶ Overview
This guide provides highly recommended initial setup instructions for Skyrim VR to prepare it for modern modding, with a focus on stability and compatibility. In addition to installation, this includes steps for bringing over the latest Skyrim Special Edition or Anniversary Edition files (with both versions referred to in this guide as "Skyrim Special Edition" or simply "SSE") and Creation Club content, if applicable, to significantly improve mod support. Also covered are the installation of core frameworks, external dependencies, and other essential mods, installing the correct version of the Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP), and more. These steps may vary slightly from those you may have seen before, but they are designed to provide the most stable, modern foundation possible to support your modding journey.
This is the initial setup guide for 🥽Skyrim VR. See below for other versions:
- For 🔵Skyrim (Steam) initial setup, 🔗click here.
- For 🟪Skyrim (GOG) initial setup, 🔗click here.
🎯Guide Contents:
- Install Skyrim VR or move existing install to a non-protected folder and generate initial configurations
- (Optional) Prepare SSE game files from the latest build and set them aside for later
- Complete initial setup by installing prepared files and other core dependencies, along with system and setting updates to prepare your modding environment
- Verify installation by launching the game and checking SKSE status
- Next steps including mod compatibility rules, recommended mods, and additional setup information
- Support and resources including where to find troubleshooting assistance, links to my other guides, and full guide changelogs
Please consider 👍ENDORSING if you found this guide helpful!
🧠IMPORTANT NOTE – In this guide, there are several references to your 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder as well as your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder. These are special folders (denoted by brackets and a dragon icon) that refer to your specific root Skyrim VR game folder and its 📁Data folder inside. For example, if you install Skyrim VR into 🖥️C:\Games\Steam, 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] would refer to 🖥️C:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\SkyrimVR, and 📁[🐉Data] would refer to 🖥️C:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\SkyrimVR\Data (NOTE – your folders may be different).
¶ 1. Install Skyrim VR
This section covers both new installations and updates for existing ones, so be sure to review these steps even if Skyrim VR is already installed. By default, Steam installs itself into 🖥️C:\Program Files (x86), which places all games by default into 🖥️C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common. ⚠️DO NOT USE THIS LOCATION!⚠️ If Skyrim VR is currently installed here, you will have to move it to prevent issues with mods and/or modding tools. The steps below will guide you through setting up a proper installation location (if you haven't already), installing a fresh copy of Skyrim VR or relocating an existing one, and launching the game to generate initial configurations.
⚠️WARNING – Never install Skyrim into the 🖥️C:\Program Files (x86) or 🖥️C:\Program Files folders (referred to as simply 📁[Program Files] throughout the remainder of this guide)! Many mods and modding tools cannot function when games are installed here and/or may cause in-game crashes as they are system protected folders.
¶ 1.1. Prepare Steam environment
⏩️Skip to section 1.2 if Steam is NOT installed in 📁[Program Files], or if Skyrim VR itself is already installed in another location (in which case, no action is required), otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). In this section, we will prepare a new install location for Steam and configure it as a Steam library folder.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 1.1.1. Set up new installation location
If you have multiple disks, setting up a new installation location is simple if a secondary drive has enough space for your modding goals. If Skyrim VR must be installed on the same drive as Steam, additional steps are required to prepare a new location. If you are unable or unwilling to perform any of the options listed below, you can ⏭️Skip to section 1.2, but be aware that doing so may lead to modding issues due to the previously described 📁[Program Files] folder restrictions.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
Steam has a limitation that prevents the creation of additional library folders on the drive it is installed on. For example, if Steam is installed in 📁[Program Files] on your 🖥️C:\ drive, you cannot add any new library paths (like 🖥️C:\Games\Steam) on that same disk. While additional drives are unaffected by this limitation, users with only a single drive—or only enough space for Skyrim VR on the Steam drive—must use one of the alternative methods below to bypass this restriction.
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 1.1.1.1. Option 1: Prepare a new folder on another disk
If you have another disk separate from your Steam installation with enough space to install Skyrim VR and your mods, follow these steps to prepare a new folder on that drive.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Create a new folder for Steam game installations (e.g., 🖥️D:\Games\Steam). This is the directory you will select when adding the new library in the next section.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 1.1.2.
¶ 1.1.1.2. Option 2: Create a virtual drive
If Steam is located in 📁[Program Files] and you must select this drive (either because you have only a single disk or only enough space on the Steam drive), you can map a new drive letter to a folder on that same drive and configure Steam to use it instead. For example, mapping a virtual 🖥️D:\ drive to a location like 🖥️C:\Games allows Steam to install games into what it thinks is another disk while still using 🖥️C:\ under the hood. This is a simple one-time process that uses native Windows tools (Powershell and subst) and remains persistent across reboots without requiring any third-party software.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
🔥ADVISORY – The steps below are intended for a SINGLE virtual drive. Do not perform the steps multiple times with different drive letters or you will undo drive persistence for the previous mapping. There should be no need to perform this multiple times as only a single instance is required to circumvent Steam limitations.
¶ 1.1.1.2.1. Virtual drive initial setup
In this step we are creating a folder, opening PowerShell, and assigning initial variables, which are used for the remaining operations.
- Create a new folder that this new virtual drive will be mapped to (e.g., 🖥️C:\Games).
- NOTE – This folder represents the root of the new mapped drive, NOT the Steam installation folder you will select. In a later step you will create an additional folder inside of here specifically for Steam games (e.g., 📁Steam).
- 🚀️Launch PowerShell. ⚠️DO NOT OPEN AS ADMINISTRATOR⚠️ (these commands MUST be performed in the user space).
- The easiest way to do this is by typing powershell in the start menu search bar (just hit the 🪟Win key and start typing).
- 📋Copy & ↴️ Paste the 🧾Variables commands below into the PowerShell window.
- Be sure to change these to your desired drive letter/folder first.
- You will receive a warning about pasting text that contains multiple lines. Click the Paste anyway button for this and all remaining steps when prompted.
- ⤵️Proceed to section 1.1.1.2.2 to continue.
- Keep Powershell open through the next section, otherwise the variables entered will be lost (you will have to reenter them).
🧾Variables:
# Update these to your desired drive letter/folder before pasting
$MountLetter = "D:"
$TargetFolder = "C:\Games"
# Press ENTER a couple of times
¶ 1.1.1.2.2. Map the drive
In this step we're running the drive mapping function which also performs verification. These commands will also make the drive persistent by remapping it every time you log into Windows as the current user.
- 📋Copy & ↴️ Paste the 🧾Drive Mapping commands below into the PowerShell window.
- If you receive an error, you may need to ↩️Return to section 1.1.1.2.1, modify variables, and try again.
- ❌Exit PowerShell. This should close automatically.
- ⤵️Proceed to section 1.1.1.2.3 to continue.
🧾Drive Mapping:
& {
cls
# Check if variables are missing or empty
if (-not $MountLetter -or -not $TargetFolder) {
Write-Host "❌ Error: Required variables are not set." -ForegroundColor Red
Write-Host "ℹ️ Please paste the variables from the previous section before proceeding...`n" -ForegroundColor Yellow
return
}
if (Test-Path "${MountLetter}\") {
Write-Host "❌ ERROR: The drive letter $MountLetter is already in use. Please choose a different drive letter.`n" -ForegroundColor Red
return
}
if (!(Test-Path $TargetFolder)) {
Write-Host "❌ ERROR: The folder $TargetFolder does not exist. Please create it first.`n" -ForegroundColor Red
return
}
subst $MountLetter $TargetFolder
Write-Host "`n✅ Drive $MountLetter mapped to $TargetFolder`n"
Write-Host "--- Current Drive Mapping(s) ---"
subst
Write-Host "--------------------------------"
$RegPath = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
$ValueName = "MapSteamDrive"
$Command = "cmd.exe /c subst $MountLetter `"$TargetFolder`""
# Set the registry key
Set-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name $ValueName -Value $Command
# Retrieve and verify the key
$storedValue = (Get-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name $ValueName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue).$ValueName
if ($storedValue -eq $Command) {
Write-Host "`n✅ Mapping made persistent – it will automatically apply on login.`n"
Write-Host "Registry entry:" -ForegroundColor DarkGray
Write-Host "$ValueName = $storedValue"
Write-Host "`n✔️ Virtual drive creation complete." -ForegroundColor White
Write-Host "`nPress any key to exit..."
$null = $Host.UI.RawUI.ReadKey("NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown")
Start-Process "$MountLetter\"
exit
} else {
Write-Host "`n❌ ERROR: Failed to write persistent mapping to registry." -ForegroundColor Red
subst "${MountLetter}" /d
Write-Host "ℹ️ Removed current mapping for drive ${MountLetter}`n" -ForegroundColor Yellow
}
} # Press ENTER if this line isn't sent automatically
¶ 1.1.1.2.3. Virtual drive final steps
Final steps and important information are listed below.
- Create a new folder inside of your newly-mapped drive where you want Steam games to be installed (e.g., 📁Steam). This will be the folder you select when adding a new library folder.
- Your virtual drive has now been created. See below for additional information.
- NOTE – Unlike a real drive, you cannot give this drive a unique label (such as Games ). It will inherit the exact same label as the original drive the folder you selected is on. You can, however, rename your Steam library location.
- You don't need to use this drive for anything else. You can still access files normally through your mapped folder (e.g., 🖥️C:\Games).
- Steps have been provided in ⬇️Section 1.1.1.2.4 if you would like to remove the drive mapping at a later time.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 1.1.2.
¶ 1.1.1.2.4. (Optional) Remove the virtual drive
Follow the steps below if you would like to remove the virtual drive (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block), otherwise, ⤵️Proceed to section 1.1.2. You can always come back to this section at a later time.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
✋NOTICE – If you have already added a Steam game library using this method, it will be removed and any games installed to the location will no longer appear in your library.
- 📋Copy & ↴️ Paste the 🧾Remove Drive commands below into the PowerShell window.
- Enter the drive letter when prompted and ensure the script runs to completion.
- ✔️You are done!
🧾Remove Drive:
& {
cls
# List current mappings
$ActiveMappings = subst
if (-not $ActiveMappings) {
Write-Host "ℹ️ No active virtual drives found via 'subst'. No action is required." -ForegroundColor DarkGray
return
}
Write-Host "--- Current Drive Mapping(s) ---"
$ActiveMappings
Write-Host "--------------------------------"
# Prompt user
$UserInput = Read-Host "`nEnter the drive letter you want to remove (e.g., D or D:)"
$MountLetter = "$($UserInput.Replace(':', '').Trim().ToUpper()):"
# Make sure $MountLetter is defined
if (-not $MountLetter) {
Write-Host "❌ Error: Variable `\$MountLetter` is not defined. Please try again and enter a valid drive letter." -ForegroundColor Red
return
}
Write-Host "`n➖ Removing virtual drive mapping..." -ForegroundColor Yellow
# Properly formatted match string for subst output (e.g., "D:\: => C:\Games")
$substPattern = "^${MountLetter}\\:"
# Remove live subst mapping
if (subst | Select-String $substPattern) {
subst "${MountLetter}" /d
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 300
if (-not (subst | Select-String $substPattern)) {
Write-Host "✅ Removed current mapping for drive ${MountLetter}" -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
Write-Host "❌ Failed to remove current mapping for drive ${MountLetter}:" -ForegroundColor Red
}
} else {
Write-Host "ℹ️ No active mapping for drive ${MountLetter}: was found." -ForegroundColor DarkGray
}
# Remove persistent registry key
$RegPath = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
$RegName = "MapSteamDrive"
$Existing = Get-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name $RegName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($Existing) {
Remove-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name $RegName
Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 300
$ConfirmRemoval = Get-ItemProperty -Path $RegPath -Name $RegName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if (-not $ConfirmRemoval) {
Write-Host "✅ Persistent mapping removed from registry." -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
Write-Host "❌ Failed to remove registry entry." -ForegroundColor Red
return
}
} else {
Write-Host "ℹ️ No persistent registry entry found." -ForegroundColor DarkGray
}
Write-Host "`n✔️ Virtual drive cleanup complete." -ForegroundColor White
Write-Host "`nPress any key to exit..."
$null = $Host.UI.RawUI.ReadKey("NoEcho,IncludeKeyDown")
exit
} # Press ENTER if this line isn't sent automatically
¶ 1.1.1.3. Option 3: Reinstall Steam to a different folder
If you only have a single disk, you can always uninstall Steam and reinstall it to a new folder (outside of 📁[Program Files]). This is the "nuclear" option, but avoids all permission-related issues altogether.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
🔥ADVISORY – Uninstalling Steam will delete all currently installed games. Back up your 📁steamapps folder first if you wish to avoid redownloading your library./span>
- ☠️Uninstall Steam.
- 🛠️Reinstall Steam into a new directory (e.g., 🖥️C:\Games\Steam).
- If you backed up your 📁steamapps folder, perform the following:
- ❌Exit Steam completely (ensure it is closed in your system tray).
- 👉Move your backed-up 📁steamapps folder into your new Steam directory, overwriting if prompted.
- 🚀️Launch Steam. This should automatically detect your games as installed without requiring a redownload.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 1.2 (you don't need to add a new library folder).
¶ 1.1.2. Add a Steam library folder
Follow these steps to add a new library folder that Steam can use to install games into. These steps are based on those in the official Steam guide, located 🔗here. If you completely reinstalled Steam in the previous section, or did not perform any of the listed options to set up a new installation location, ⏩️skip to section 1.2 (as indicated above).
- From the Steam menu bar, select Steam > Settings.
- Select the Storage tab on the left.
- Add a new library folder by clicking the dropdown at the top and selecting Add Drive.
- In the Add a new Steam library folder window that pops up, select Let me choose another location from the dropdown and click Add.
- In the Create or select new Steam library folder explorer window that pops up, browse to and select the folder you want to add (e.g., 🖥️D:\Steam), and click Select Folder.
- Selecting a root drive (e.g., 🖥️D:\) when adding a library automatically creates a 📁SteamLibrary folder on that disk that games will be installed into. This may be undesirable, which is why creating a new folder in the previous section is recommended if you prefer more control over your directory structure.
- Once you have created the new path, all future installations can be installed there. If you want to set this location as the default path for Steam games, select it from the list, click the … (ellipses) button next to the drive space utilization bar, and select Make Default.
- Optionally, rename the new library by selecting it from the list, clicking the … (ellipses) button next to the drive space utilization bar, and selecting Rename Library.
- This is especially useful if a new virtual drive was created. This allows you to rename it something like Virtual Drive (D:), or similar, to easily identify it in the list.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 1.2. Install latest version of Skyrim VR
In this section, you are ensuring you have a clean, unmodified installation of the latest Skyrim VR files.
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 1.2.1. Option 1: New installation
If you do not currently have Skyrim VR installed, simply run the installer from within Steam. Be sure to select an alternate Steam library location and DO NOT install in 📁[Program Files]. This will install the latest version of Skyrim VR. ⤵️Proceed to section 1.3 when done.
¶ 1.2.2. Option 2: Existing installation
For existing installations, there are a couple of steps you want to complete before proceeding.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 1.2.2.1. Purge mods (Vortex)
⏩️Skip to section 1.2.2.2 if you have never previously used Vortex mod manager, otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). If Vortex is still installed, you will need to check to ensure the program does not have any mods deployed to the 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder. If it does, this could cause Vortex to complain that changes were made outside of the program the next time you open it, requiring you to manually resolve each issue. Follow the steps below to 💥Purge any files still being managed.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🚀️Launch Vortex.
- Ensure Skyrim VR is the active managed game – This is found under the Games tab on the left of the main Vortex window. If it is not, hover over the Skyrim VR game and click the Activate button.
- Select the the Mods tab on the left of the main Vortex window.
- Click Purge Mods in the main application toolbar at the top of the window.
- ✔️You are done!
❓Troubleshooting tip: (↕️Expand for details)
If you are still having issues, or receive an error that indicates issues already existed prior to starting this guide, you may simply need to stop managing the game via Vortex. Do this by navigating to the Games tab, clicking the 3 vertical dots on the Skyrim VR game, and selecting Stop Managing. If you are STILL having issues, you may simply need to ☠️Uninstall Vortex altogether.
¶ 1.2.2.2. Move Skyrim VR out of Program Files
⏩️Skip to section 1.2.2.3 if Skyrim VR is NOT currently installed in 📁[Program Files], otherwise, you will need to move it using Steam's Move feature (you don't need to perform a complete uninstall). Use the following steps to perform the move:
- From the Steam menu bar, select Steam > Settings.
- Click the Storage tab on the left.
- Select the drive/location where Skyrim is currently installed.
- Select The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR from this list and click the Move button at the bottom of the window.
- From the dropdown box, select the Steam library location, and click Move.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 1.2.2.3. Delete and Verify Integrity of Files
Next we will ensure that all files are stock Skyrim VR files and any previous modding activities, if applicable, are undone.
- Open your 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder.
- 🗑️Delete all files and folders EXCEPT the 📁Data folder.
- Open the 📁Data folder.
- 🗑️Delete all files and folders EXCEPT for the following:
- Dawnguard.esm
- Dragonborn.esm
- HearthFires.esm
- Skyrim - Animations.bsa
- Skyrim - Interface.bsa
- Skyrim - Meshes0.bsa
- Skyrim - Meshes1.bsa
- Skyrim - Misc.bsa
- Skyrim - Patch.bsa
- Skyrim - Shaders.bsa
- Skyrim - Sounds.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures0.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures1.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures2.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures3.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures4.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures5.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures6.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures7.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures8.bsa
- Skyrim - Voices_en0.bsa
- Skyrim.esm
- Skyrim_VR - Main.bsa
- SkyrimVR.esm
- Update.esm
- Right-click Skyrim VR in your Steam Game list and select Properties….
- Select the Installed Files tab.
- Click the Verify integrity of game files button and wait for files to finish downloading.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 1.3.
¶ 1.3. Generate initial configurations
⏩️Skip to section 2 if Skyrim VR was already installed (or was just reinstalled) and INI files are present in 📁Documents\My Games\Skyrim VR and are still valid, otherwise, proceed. If this is a fresh installation, or if your hardware or other settings have changed since the last time you played, you should launch Skyrim VR at least once directly via Steam. This ensures the game generates all required initial configuration files. You will also have the opportunity to configure your VR comfort options.
- If Skyrim VR was ever installed previously, ensure any existing INI files are removed before proceeding.
- Open your 📁Documents\My Games\Skyrim VR folder. This is typically on the 🖥️C:\ drive, but your setup may differ.
- 🗑️Delete the following files (or 👉Move them to another folder to back them up):
- SkyrimCustom.ini
- SkyrimPrefs.ini
- SkyrimVR.ini
- Skyrim.ini (this is an SSE only file, but should be removed if it exists)
- You can now close this explorer window.
- 🚀️Launch Skyrim VR (directly from within Steam or SteamVR) via its respective Play button.
- Once the game has fully loaded, you should be prompted to configure initial comfort settings. Follow the directions on screen.
- When movement and turning settings have been configured, open performance options from the main menu by selecting SETTINGS > VR Performance.
- Under Quality Preset, select High (this can be changed later).
- You will be prompted that Skyrim VR must be restarted for the changes to take effect. Click OK (you don't need to restart).
- Feel free to explore the area, interact with objects, and change other in-game settings. When you are done, approach the pedestal to complete the initial tutorial.
- From the main menu, select QUIT and confirm to ❌Exit Skyrim VR.
- ✔️You are done!
- NOTE – The 📄SkyrimVR.ini file will not be created with the above process.
¶ 2. (Optional) Prepare SSE game files
⏭️Skip to section 3 if you do NOT have Skyrim Special Edition, otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). When planning to mod Skyrim VR, you should ALWAYS use the latest SSE game files (.esm, .esl, .bsa) if possible to ensure maximum compatibility with newer mods. These are essentially mod files themselves, so even older versions of Skyrim (like Skyrim VR) can use them without issue (assuming 🔗Skyrim VR ESL Support is enabled, which is covered in this guide). In this section, you'll locate two sets of files (or download them if needed): the latest SSE game files (including free Creation Club content) and, if applicable, the Anniversary Upgrade files. These will then be prepared for installation later in this guide using your mod manager.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 2.1. Core game files
These are the updated SSE master game files and free Creation Club content mods that are available to everyone that owns Skyrim Special Edition.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
Some popular mods may rely on updated master files because they reference records exclusive to newer versions (not found in 1.4.15, for example), which can lead to issues or crashes (CTDs) if those records are missing. For example, mods like 🔗JK's Castle Dour and 🔗JK's Sinderion's Field Laboratory—and likely newer JK mods—use records from a more recent update.esm that aren't even in the 1.5.97 SSE master files, making them incompatible with both 1.4.15 (VR) and 1.5.97 (SSE) base installs. This isn't obvious unless you inspect the plugins in xEdit for errors, though, since the file dependencies technically exist (so won't throw any warnings in your mod manager). On top of that, some mods now require the new _ResourcePack files (.bsa, .esl) introduced with the Creations update (version 1.6.1130). Notable examples include the 🔗Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP) and 🔗Legacy of the Dragonborn (LOTD), which will no longer work without them. Though your mod manager will flag missing masters if you try using these mods without updated files, ignoring this would likely crash the game on launch. Without including updated masters for use with Skyrim VR, either of the above scenarios is possible for any mod in the future, so I am including them here to improve overall compatibility.
¶ 2.1.1. Locate or download the latest game files
In this section, you'll locate an existing folder containing up-to-date SSE game files. If one does not exist, you'll download the latest files manually and use that location in later steps. Don't worry if you have an existing modded Skyrim SSE installation as it will not be affected.
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 2.1.1.1. Option 1: Use an existing up-to-date install (fastest)
If Skyrim Special Edition version 1.6.1170 (Steam) or 1.6.1179 (GOG) is already installed, these files can be used directly.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Open your existing Skyrim SSE (NOT Skyrim VR) 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- Find your root game folder (containing ⚡SkyrimSE.exe) and open the 📁Data folder inside.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Latest game files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.1.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.1.1.2. Option 2: Install Skyrim SSE (if not installed)
If you own Skyrim Special Edition but it is not currently installed (this can be either Steam or GOG), you can install it to obtain the latest files.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🛠️Install Skyrim SSE via the either the Steam or GOG installer.
- If you intend to keep the game installed following Skyrim VR initial setup, DO NOT install in 📁[Program Files], otherwise, the location does not matter.
- When installation has completed, open your Skyrim SSE (NOT Skyrim VR) 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- Find your root game folder (containing ⚡SkyrimSE.exe) and open the 📁Data folder inside.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Latest game files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.1.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.1.1.3. Option 3: Use Steam depot to download files (Steam users)
If you are currently running a downgraded version of Skyrim SSE on Steam, or would otherwise just prefer a clean copy of files, the Steam depot can be used to download these separately from any installed game version.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 2.1.1.3.1. Download latest files
Follow the steps below to download the latest files from the Steam depot.
- Enter the following in your browser (or Windows Run box with 🪟Win + R) to open the Steam Console:
- steam://nav/console
- If opened in a browser and prompted to open the Steam Client Bootstrapper, click the Open Steam Client Bootstrapper button.
- 🔍Review the 🧾Steam console commands list below and 📥Download all required files by performing a 📋Copy & ↴️ Paste of all commands listed.
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.1.1.3.2 to continue.
🧾Steam console commands:
Instructions
Run each command for the listed version and wait for it to complete before starting the next! You will know it is done when you see a message that includes Depot download complete, followed by the download location. Be sure to note this location for later use!
- Version 1.6.1170
- download_depot 489830 489831 8442952117333549665
- download_depot 489830 489832 8042843504692938467
- download_depot 489830 489833 1914580699073641964
Updated versions
At the time of writing, the version listed (1.6.1170) is the latest version of SSE/AE. If this has changed and this guide has not yet been updated, please refer to my 🔗Skyrim Manifest List to see if the newer version exists there, and if not, how to determine the proper commands for the latest version yourself.
¶ 2.1.1.3.2. Merge depot folders
Once the depot downloads are done, we want to merge the folders to simplify later steps.
- Refer to the location noted in your Steam console for where your depots were downloaded to.
- By default, this is 🖥️C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\content\app_489830.
- Open this folder. There should be at least 3 folders inside it:
- depot_489831
- depot_489832
- depot_489833
- Create a new folder called Skyrim Latest Game Files.
- Open each of the 📁depot_xxxxxx folders listed above and 👉Move all files and folders inside here into the 📁Skyrim Latest Game Files folder (✂️Cut & ↴️ Paste may be easier).
- Once all files have been moved, 🗑️Delete the 📁depot_xxxxxx folders.
- Open the 📁Skyrim Latest Game Files folder, and then the 📁Data folder inside.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Latest game files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.1.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.1.1.4. Option 4: Download offline backup game installer (GOG users)
If you are currently running a downgraded version of Skyrim SSE on GOG, or would otherwise just prefer a clean copy of files, the GOG offline backup game installer for the latest version can be used to download these separately from any installed game version.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download innoextract. This should be found on the 🔗official website under the Download section (innoextract Windows binaries).
- This is a portable tool that allows extraction of files from installers used by GOG. Without this tool, the offline installer will install the game via GOG Galaxy, which is not what we want.
- 📦Extract the files to a temporary location (e.g., 🖥️C:\temp).
- Open this temporary folder and set it aside for a moment.
- Open 🔗gog.com and login. Once logged in, hover over your profile picture to display the account menu, and select Games from the list.
- Click the Skyrim entry in your games list (this should be listed as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition). Near the top of the page, you should see the following items (or similar):
- NOTE – At the time of writing, only version 0.1.3905696 (1.6.1179) is available for download. If more than one version is listed, be sure to select the latest from the list instead.
- 📥Download ALL files for the latest version (including any pacth files, if listed). When finished, 👉Move these files to the temporary folder you extracted innoextract to above.
- Optionally, while here you can also 📥Download the Anniversary Upgrade DLC installers at the bottom of the page, if applicable, for an upcoming step. Be sure to grab the latest version of BOTH files (if multiple versions are listed) and 👉Move them to the temporary folder as well.
- To 📦Extract the latest game files, 👆Drag the ⚡setup_the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim_special_edition_xxxxx.exe file directly over the ⚡innoextract.exe file and release. This will open a new window which will show the extract progress.
- Wait for all files to be extracted.
- Repeat for any/all ⚡patch_the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim_special_edition_xxxxx.exe patch files.
- Once all files have been extracted, open the new 📁Data folder that was created inside your temporary folder.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Latest game files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.1.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.1.2. Prepare master files
In this section, we are preparing only the updated SSE master game files. The included free Creation Club content will be prepared in a later section.
- Open the 📁[Latest game files] folder we set aside in the previous section.
- Create a folder inside called Skyrim Updated Masters.
- 📋Copy the following list of Skyrim master game files from inside 📁[Latest game files] into this new 📁Skyrim Updated Masters folder.
- NOTE – If you used the Steam console or GOG offline installer to download the files, 👉Move the files instead.
- Skyrim master game files
- _ResourcePack.bsa
- _ResourcePack.esl
- Dawnguard.esm
- Dragonborn.esm
- HearthFires.esm
- Skyrim - Animations.bsa
- Skyrim - Interface.bsa
- Skyrim - Meshes0.bsa
- Skyrim - Meshes1.bsa
- Skyrim - Misc.bsa
- Skyrim - Shaders.bsa
- Skyrim - Sounds.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures0.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures1.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures2.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures3.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures4.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures5.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures6.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures7.bsa
- Skyrim - Textures8.bsa
- Skyrim - Voices_en0.bsa
- Skyrim.esm
- Update.esm
- NOTE – Some files have been intentionally left out the list above, so leave those in the 📁[Latest game files] folder.
- 👉Move the 📁Skyrim Updated Masters folder into your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- Continue to keep the 📁[Latest game files] folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.2. Creation Club content
Skyrim VR technically does not have Creation Club content (since it is based off of an earlier version of Skyrim SSE which did not include them), but we can still use these files (Survival Mode has a small exception which we will get to later). ⏭️Skip to section 2.3 if you truly do NOT want to bring over these files, otherwise, proceed. Note that this is generally not recommended due to compatibility issues you may encounter with 🔗Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP) if you do not include them.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
Skyrim Anniversary Edition (SAE, or more commonly, AE) was released in November of 2021, and as a free upgrade to existing Skyrim Special Edition (SSE) owners, it provides 4 DLC mods (Survival Mode, Saints & Seducers, Rare Curios, and Fishing). Additionally, it has an optional paid DLC upgrade (referred to as the Anniversary Upgrade) which contains 70 community mods. The Anniversary Upgrade is purchasable on its own, or together with Skyrim Special Edition in a bundle called The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Edition. When referring to the Anniversary Upgrade, I am referring to this paid DLC content, regardless of how it was purchased.
¶ 2.2.1. Locate or download Anniversary Upgrade files
⏩️Skip to section 2.2.2 if you did NOT purchase the Anniversary Upgrade DLC, or do NOT want to bring this content over, otherwise, proceed. In this section, you'll locate an existing folder containing Anniversary Upgrade files, or download them if needed, and use that location for later steps. For Steam users, downloading these can be a bit tricky as it requires logging into the game and accessing the Creations in-game store, which may not be possible depending on your version (though I have created a workaround process for users who have downgraded their Skyrim SSE install). Instructions have been provided below which should cover pretty much all scenarios, but if this feels like more effort than it's worth, you can skip this section entirely.
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 2.2.1.1. Option 1: Locate existing files (fastest)
If you already have the Anniversary Upgrade content downloaded, follow the steps below.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Open the folder containing these files.
- These may exist in your Skyrim SSE (NOT Skyrim VR) 📁[🐉Data] folder, in your mod staging folder if you are managing these files with a mod manager, or another location entirely if you have copied the files to a separate folder on your computer for backup.
- For a full list of files, refer to the Anniversary Upgrade section in my 🔗Skyrim Game Files List reference guide.
- If you can't find these files, use one of the other options below to redownload them.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Anniversary Upgrade files], you will use the applicable folder from above.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.2.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.2.1.2. Option 2: Download from in-game store (Steam users)
If you have Skyrim SSE version 1.6.1130 or above installed on Steam, you can download the files directly in-game.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- If you have modded your installation of Skyrim SSE, ensure you do not have any UI mods or INI settings enabled which may prevent display of the Creations menu.
- For example, in the 📄Skyrim.ini file, under the [Bethesda.net] header, if you see a line that says bEnablePlatform=0, change it to bEnablePlatform=1.
- 🚀️Launch Skyrim.
- If you receive the Thanks for buying Skyrim Anniversary Edition! prompt when opening, perform the following:
- Click the DOWNLOAD button and wait for all files to download.
- ❌Exit Skyrim.
- If not, perform the following:
- Select Creations from the main menu.
- Click the Options button at the bottom of the Creations screen.
- Select Download all Creations in my Library and wait for all files to download.
- ❌Exit Skyrim.
- If you modified your 📄Skyrim.ini file above to show the Creations menu, be sure to revert that change now.
- Open the Skyrim SSE (NOT Skyrim VR) 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Anniversary Upgrade files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.2.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.2.1.3. Option 3: Download from GOG Galaxy (GOG users)
If you installed the GOG version of Skyrim for the latest SSE files in the previous section above, or would otherwise like to add Anniversary Upgrade content to your existing Skyrim GOG install, the most straightforward way to add these files is directly within the GOG Galaxy application. All other GOG users should use Option 4 below.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- In GOG Galaxy, select your Skyrim game.
- From the More menu (next to Play), select Manage installation > Configure….
- On the dialog that opens, click the DLC tab.
- Ensure the ☑️ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Upgrade option is checked.
- Click OK.
- Wait for the client to finish downloading new files. An Updating X% indicator is shown at the top of the window. Hovering over this will show the status.
- Open the Skyrim SSE (NOT Skyrim VR) 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Anniversary Upgrade files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.2.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.2.1.4. Option 4: Download offline backup DLC installer (GOG users)
If you own the GOG version of Skyrim with the Anniversary Upgrade but don't have it installed, or prefer not to modify an existing Skyrim GOG installation or mod list, you can download the offline backup DLC installer from GOG and extract the files manually.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Grab innoextract if you did not use the offline installer method for updated SSE files earlier:
- 📥Download innoextract. This should be found on the 🔗official website under the Download section (innoextract Windows binaries).
- This is a portable tool that allows extraction of files from installers used by GOG. Without this tool, the offline installer will require that Skyrim for GOG is already installed first.
- 📦Extract the files to a temporary location (e.g., 🖥️C:\temp).
- Open this temporary folder and set it aside for a moment.
- Next, grab the Anniversary Upgrade files if you did not already obtain them earlier (to save time) using the offline installer method:
- Open 🔗gog.com and login. Once logged in, hover over your profile picture to display the account menu, and select Games from the list.
- Click the Skyrim entry in your games list (this should be listed as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition) and scroll to the bottom of the page. You should see the following items (or similar):
- 📥Download the latest version of BOTH files (if multiple versions are listed). When finished, 👉Move these files to the temporary folder you extracted innoextract to above.
- To 📦Extract the files, 👆Drag the ⚡setup_the_elder_scrolls_v_skyrim_anniversary_upgrade_xxxxx.exe file directly over the ⚡innoextract.exe file and release. This will open a new window which will show the extract progress.
- Once all files have been extracted, open the new 📁Data folder that was created inside your temporary folder.
- In later steps, when referring to 📁[Anniversary Upgrade files], you will use this folder.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 2.2.2.
- Keep this folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 2.2.1.5. Option 5: Download from a downgraded version of Skyrim SSE (Steam users)
This section uses a custom process I have developed which allows players running a downgraded version of Skyrim on Steam to download files through the in-game store without breaking their existing mod list.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- These instructions are outlined in my 🔗Downloading Anniversary Upgrade and In-Game Store Content Files on a Downgraded Version of Skyrim (Steam) guide.
- The process involves downloading updated SSE files, creating a mod containing only the files required to open the in-game store, and enabling it only on a new mod manager profile designed specifically for this purpose (so it does not impact any other profiles).
- If you used the Steam depot to obtain the latest SSE game files in ⬆️section 2.1.1.3 above, then you can jump directly to the Prepare store files section of the linked guide. Just note that file locations will be different since you have already merged depot files into the new 📁Skyrim Latest Game Files folder inside the 📁app_489830 folder.
- All files will now be located here except the 📄Skyrim - Interface.bsa file, which will be located in the 📁Skyrim Updated Masters folder you created (which should be in your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder). Be sure to 📋Copy this file when instructed—DO NOT 👉Move it!
- Once the steps in the above linked guide have been completed, ↩️Return to section 2.2.1.2 (Download from in-game store (Steam users)) above and complete those steps to continue (since you can now download the files directly from the in-game store).
- Remember to switch your mod manager profile back once you have completed the next steps.
¶ 2.2.2. Prepare Creation Club content files
In this section, we are preparing both the free Creation Club content as well as Anniversary Upgrade files, if applicable.
- Open your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- Create a folder inside called CC Content.
- Open the 📁[Latest game files] folder we set aside in the previous section.
- 📋Copy the following list of Free Creation Club files from this folder into the new 📁CC Content folder.
- NOTE – If you used the Steam console or GOG offline installer to download the files, 👉Move the files instead.
- Free Creation Club files
- ccBGSSSE001-Fish.bsa
- ccBGSSSE001-Fish.esm
- ccBGSSSE025-AdvDSGS.bsa
- ccBGSSSE025-AdvDSGS.esm
- ccBGSSSE037-Curios.bsa
- ccBGSSSE037-Curios.esl
- ccQDRSSE001-SurvivalMode.bsa
- ccQDRSSE001-SurvivalMode.esl
- If you are bringing over Anniversary Upgrade files, open the 📁[Anniversary Upgrade files] folder we set aside and 📋Copy all 📄ccXXXsse0XX-filename.xxx files (.bsa, .esl, .esm) into this new 📁CC Content folder (example: ccKRTSSE001-Altar.bsa).
- NOTE – Overwrite any files if asked. If you used the GOG offline installer to download the files, 👉Move the files instead.
- The 📁CC Content folder should contain all free DLC mods as well all mods contained in the Anniversary Upgrade (if applicable).
- At this time, you can close your 📁[Anniversary Upgrade files] and 📁[Latest game files] folders.
- ✔️You are done!
- We will come back to this 📁CC Content folder later.
¶ 2.3. (Optional) Remove unneeded Skyrim SSE files
If you obtained new SSE or Anniversary Upgrade files solely for use in this guide, you can now remove or clean up any remaining temporary files you no longer wish to keep. ⏩️Skip to section 3 if this wasn't necessary for your setup, otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). Be sure to review and complete all relevant items.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- If you installed Skyrim SSE for required files and no longer want it installed:
- Perform an ☠️Uninstall via your respective launcher (Steam or GOG). This will also get rid of any Anniversary Upgrade files that may have been downloaded.
- If you downloaded files using the Steam depot:
- 🗑️Delete the 📁app_489830 folder and all of its files and subfolders.
- By default, this is located in 🖥️C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\content.
- If you downloaded files using GOG offline backup DLC installer:
- 🗑️Delete your temporary folder and all of its files and subfolders (e.g., 🖥️C:\temp).
- If you downloaded Anniversary Upgrade files from an existing Skyrim SSE installation and want to remove them from that install:
- 🔵Steam users
- Open your Skyrim SSE (NOT Skyrim VR) 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- 🗑️Delete all 📄ccXXXsse0XX-filename.xxx files (.bsa, .esl, .esm) EXCEPT for the Free Creation Club files listed directly in ⬆️section 2.2.2 (Prepare Creation Club content files) above (those files are separate).
- If you have ever downloaded any other paid or free Creation Club mods from the in-game store, or are hesitant to remove all files in this way, refer to the Anniversary Upgrade section in my 🔗Skyrim Game Files List reference and 🗑️Delete all applicable files listed that you do not wish to keep.
- 🟪GOG users
- In GOG Galaxy, select your Skyrim game.
- From the More menu (next to Play), select Manage installation > Configure….
- In the DLC tab of the dialog that opens, ensure the ⬛ The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Anniversary Upgrade option is unchecked and click OK.
- Wait for the files to be removed. An Updating X% indicator is shown at the top of the window. Hovering over this will show the status.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.
¶ 3. Complete initial setup
With your game folder ready, the next step is to prepare your modding environment. Below, you will find instructions for installing core dependencies and tools, setting up our prepared files, and updating essential game and system settings.
¶ 3.1. Install runtime libraries
These libraries are required for many mods and modding tools to function. These are Windows installers, so they must be installed manually. They are not something even a 🧀Wabbajack install can provide for you automatically.
¶ 3.1.1. Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable
This is a mandatory requirement for any modern Skyrim setup. It is a dependency for many essential mods like SKSE and SSE Engine Fixes, so you will want to ensure you have the latest redistributable installed.
- Visit the 🔗download page in your browser.
- Scroll down to the Latest supported Redistributable version section, and follow the link for your specific version – This is likely the x64 build. All versions since 2015 are backward compatible, so there is no risk in breaking mods if you replace your current version.
- 📥Download and 🛠️Install.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.1.2. .NET 6 Desktop Runtime
Many modern modding tools (such as Vortex and DynDOLOD) still require this specific version to function. While newer versions of .NET exist, they are not always fully backward compatible. Even if you choose to install MO2 rather than Vortex, you should still install this library since DynDOLOD is an essential tool for finalizing your modlist.
- Visit the 🔗download page in your browser.
- Scroll down to the .NET Desktop Runtime section, and follow the link for your specific version – This is likely the x64 build.
- 📥Download and 🛠️Install.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.2. Mod manager setup
This section covers installation and setup of your mod manager, as well as the terminology and concepts used when installing, configuring, and managing mods throughout this guide and in future modding.
¶ 3.2.1. Installation and components
⏩️Skip to section 3.2.2 if you intend to use a 🧀Wabbajack modlist since this will typically come pre-built with a portable version of Mod Organizer 2 (including the Root Builder plugin), otherwise, follow the steps below.
¶ 3.2.1.1. Install mod manager
⏩️Skip to section 3.2.1.2 if you already have a mod manager installed, otherwise, proceed. There are currently only two mod managers that are widely used for Skyrim modding: 🔗Vortex and 🔗Mod Organizer 2. Avoid Nexus Mod Manager (NMM) for modern Skyrim—it's outdated and no longer works. Wrye Bash's mod management is also far less intuitive overall, so unless you're already familiar with it, I recommend avoiding that as well (its bashed patch functionality is amazing, however, but that is a separate topic). Once you choose and 🛠️Install your mod manager, ⤵️Proceed to section 3.2.1.2.
⚜️Author's note: (↕️Expand for details)
If you need help deciding between Vortex and MO2, there are several threads and discussions online. Personally, I recommend MO2 as I find it much better at resolving conflicts and managing larger modlists and profiles. Additionally, it keeps your 📁[🐉Data] folder (and 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder when using Root Builder) completely free of any mod files. While it may seem less intuitive initially, it really isn't, and avoids many of Vortex's nuances and pitfalls. All of my guides support both applications, so ultimately this is up to you.
¶ 3.2.1.2. Install Root Builder (MO2 only)
⏩️Skip to section 3.2.2 if you are NOT using MO2, or already have Root Builder installed, otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). Unlike Vortex, MO2 does not have the native ability to manage files in the 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder, only the 📁[🐉Data] folder. This functionality is provided by the Root Builder plugin, allowing you to leave the entire 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder in pristine, vanilla condition!, and the steps to set it up are quite simple. All the remaining steps for MO2 in this guide assume this is installed.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab.
- Ensure you click the Manual download link (this will not install with your mod manager).
- When completed, open this file from your web browser downloads folder (it is a 🗜️.zip file).
- 📦Extract the contents of the file into the 📁plugins folder of your MO2 folder. For example, if you installed MO2 into 🖥️C:\Modding\MO2, extract this to 🖥️C:\Modding\MO2\plugins.
- If done correctly, you should now have a 📁rootbuilder folder inside of your 📁plugins folder (e.g., 🖥️C:\Modding\MO2\plugins\rootbuilder).
- ❌Exit and 🚀️Relaunch MO2.
- Verify this is installed correctly by navigating to the Tools > Tool Plugins menu of the main menu bar (you can also click the puzzle icon in the main toolbar). You should now see a Root Builder entry.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.2.2.
¶ 3.2.2. Mod manager fundamentals
⏩️Skip to section 3.3 if you are already familiar with how to use your chosen mod manager, otherwise, I have created guides which provide an overview of both Vortex and Mod Organizer 2 which have been linked below. These guides cover what a mod manager is, commonly used modding terms, and the core concepts and procedures involved in managing mods. For this initial setup guide, you should know how to 🛠️Install, ☠️Uninstall, ✅Enable, and ⛔Disable mods, as well as how to 🗑️Delete archive files within the application. This also includes creating 🚀Tools/Executables along with mod manager-specific actions such as 🌀Deploy and 💥Purge (Vortex users) and creating 🗂️Separators (MO2 users). If you are new to modding, ensure you understand how to perform these actions before proceeding.
✋NOTICE – These guides are intended to serve as a reference rather than a complete walkthrough, so feel free to quickly review the one that applies to your setup or 🔖Bookmark it for later.
¶ 3.3. Install core mods
⏩️Skip to section 3.4 if you are using a 🧀Wabbajack modlist, otherwise, proceed. Before adding your own mods, you will need to ensure that required core mods are installed. Follow the instructions below to 📥Download and 🛠️Install the listed mods for Skyrim VR.
✋NOTICE – For 🧀Wabbajack users, the following core mods should already be included in your mod list, so there is no need to perform the steps in this section. ⏩️Skip to section 3.4 to proceed.
¶ 3.3.1. Skyrim Script Extender for VR (SKSEVR)
Skyrim Script Extender for VR (SKSEVR), referred to as simply SKSE throughout this guide, is an essential plugin that extends Skyrim's scripting capabilities, enabling mods to implement advanced features that are not possible with the base game alone. For PC players, this is absolutely essential, and is typically the first mod players install. Once set up, you will use the SKSE loader to launch the game instead of the standard Skyrim VR launcher to enable its functionality. The steps below cover how to install and configure the mod.
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.3.1.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download for your specific version – 🔗1.4.15 (current) | 🔗other versions
- Click the Start download button on the following page after clicking the link above to download into your mod manager.
- If you need a version not listed above, go to the FILES tab and be sure to click its Mod manager download button.
- This should automatically 🛠️Install and ✅Enable SKSE and configure it as the primary launch tool.
- If Vortex settings were modified, you may need to perform the following manual steps in the Mods tab:
- Click the Never Installed⏷ button to 🛠️Install the mod if it is not currently installed.
- Click the Disabled⏷ button to ✅Enable the mod if it is currently disabled.
- NOTE – These buttons are to the left of the SKSE entry in the mod list.
- 🌀Deploy mods.
- This is done by clicking the Deploy icon in the main toolbar.
- ❌Exit and 🚀️Relaunch Vortex.
- This clears any visual bugs or notifications regarding the primary launch tool and ensures it is properly set for users who installed or enabled SKSE manually in the steps above.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.3.2.
¶ 3.3.1.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download for your specific version – 🔗1.4.15 (current) | 🔗other versions
- Click the Start download button on the following page after clicking the link above to download into your mod manager.
- If you need a version not listed above, go to the FILES tab and be sure to click its Mod manager download button.
- 🛠️Install the mod. During installation, you will be informed that The content of <data> does not look valid..
- If the tutorial pops up, feel free to read through this if this is your first time or just exit by clicking the Exit Tutorial box.
- In the Install Mods dialog, expand both the 📁sksevr_x_xx_xx and 📁Data folders, then right-click the 📁Data folder and select Create directory….
- Name the directory root.
- 👆Drag the 📄sksevr_x_x_xx.dll, ⚡sksevr_loader.exe, and 📄sksevr_steam_loader.dll files along with the 📁bindings folder into the 📁root folder you just created.
- Next, right-click the 📁Data folder and select Set as <data> directory.
- Your Install Mods window should now look something like this (with 📁root expanded):
- Click the OK button.
- ✅Enable the mod.
- This can be done by ensuring the checkbox next to the mod entry is checked in the mod list on the left side of the MO2 window.
- Click the executables dropdown (next to the ▶ Run button), and select <Edit…> (default executables for Skyrim VR are shown, yours may differ).
- Alternatively, you can click the gear icon in the main toolbar:
- If the executable list already contains an entry for SKSE (this is typical for Skyrim VR), you can ⤵️proceed to section 3.3.2, otherwise, click the plus (➕) icon above the list on the left and select Add empty… (do NOT select Add from file…)
- The executable MUST be added manually this way because ⚡sksevr_loader.exe does NOT exist in your game folder (it is managed by Root Builder), so you can't just browse and select it!
- ⚙️Configure the executable using the following options:
- Title – Give this a name (e.g., Play Game (SKSE) or simply SKSE).
- Start in – Click the … button, browse to your 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder, and click Select Folder.
- Binary – Use the same path in Start in followed by \sksevr_loader.exe (e.g., 🖥️C:\Games\Steam\steamapps\common\SkyrimVR\sksevr_loader.exe).
- Optionally, click the green up arrow in the left list to bring this entry to the top.
- Your executable should look something like this (with your actual paths).
- Click OK.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.3.2.
¶ 3.3.2. VR Address Library
This mod provides a centralized database for other SKSE plugins to use, which allows them to become version-independent. By referencing this database instead of specific locations in the game code itself, mods can work across multiple versions of Skyrim. This is vital for the longevity of the modding community, as it allows mods to remain functional through game updates without requiring the original authors to constantly release new versions, so long as Address Library itself is updated. See below for the installation process, which is the same for both Vortex and MO2.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.3.3. Engine Fixes VR
This mod fixes a lot of game bugs and additionally allows achievements when mods are enabled. There are 2 parts for this download so follow instructions carefully.
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.3.3.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download the latest version of Engine Fixes VR vX.XX from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- This should be the very first file on the page, listed with its current version (1.26 as of the latest guide update).
- Be sure to click any additional download buttons on the following page if the mod does not start downloading automatically.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod if it does not do so automatically.
- 📥Download the latest version of Part 2 Engine Fixes VR vX.XX from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- Be sure to click any additional download buttons on the following page if the mod does not start downloading automatically.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod if it does not do so automatically.
- Double-click the Part 2 Engine Fixes VR vX.XX entry in the list to open the mod details panel (this menu will slide out of the right side of the list).
- Under the Mod Type dropdown, select Engine Injector – This will install the mod into your 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder (instead of the 📁[🐉Data] folder).
- ❌Close the mod details panel.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.3.4.
¶ 3.3.3.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download the latest version of Engine Fixes VR vX.XX from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- This should be the very first file on the page, listed with its current version (1.26 as of the latest guide update).
- Be sure to click any additional download buttons on the following page if the mod does not start downloading automatically.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- The default name of Engine Fixes VR is fine.
- 📥Download the latest version of Part 2 Engine Fixes VR vX.XX from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- Be sure to click any additional download buttons on the following page if the mod does not start downloading automatically.
- 🛠️Install the mod. During installation, you will be informed that The content of <data> does not look valid..
- Right-click the 📁<data> folder and select Create Directory….
- Name the directory root.
- 👆Drag the 📄d3dx9_42.dll, 📄tbb12.dll, and 📄tbbmalloc.dll files into the 📁root folder you just created.
- In the Name field, select Part 2 Engine Fixes VR (with or without version) from the list, or give it a different name altogether (by default it will be the same as the Engine Fixes VR main file mod just installed, so it needs to be renamed).
- Your Install Mods window should now look something like this (with 📁root expanded).
- Click the OK button.
- Click the Ignore button on the prompt if it appears (don't worry, this will work).
- ✅Enable the mod.
- Finally, right-click the mod name in the mod list and select Ignore missing data – Since we are using Root Builder, and no Data folder was set during install, MO2 will complain about this, even though it is configured properly. Performing this step will fix that.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.3.4.
¶ 3.3.4. Skyrim VR ESL Support
Because many newer mods (including the latest Skyrim SSE master game files) use a new plugin header version introduced with the Skyrim SSE 1.6.1130 update, this mod must be installed otherwise you will suffer an immediate CTD when launching the game with any such mods enabled. Despite the name (providing long-awaited ESL support for Skyrim VR), this mod also includes a fix which allows Skyrim VR to load mods with the new header version, similar to what 🔗Backported Extended ESL Support (BEES) provides for downgraded Skyrim SSE installs.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
On December 5, 2023, Bethesda released the Creations update for Skyrim Special Edition. Not only did this break compatibility with SKSE mods, it also created a compatibility issue with newer game plugins (.esm, .esp, .esl) because it updated their header version from 1.70 to 1.71. This includes official master game files as well as any mods created with the updated Creation Kit. Attempting to use a version 1.71 plugin on an old game build will cause an immediate CTD when launching the game. While on the surface this change may seem like Bethesda just breaking things again, it was actually done to expand the maximum number of new records an ESL plugin can contain from 2048 to 4096 (🔗source). This basically just means ESL plugins can contain more records before they need to be converted into a full plugin that occupies a standard plugin slot, which is a nice improvement.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.3.5. Skyrim VR Refocused
This mod refocuses Skyrim VR when it loses focus. This not only helps with performance, but some mods actually require it to function properly.
⚜️Author's note: (↕️Expand for details)
While a mod like this would normally be found later in ⬇️section 5.2 (Recommended mods), console commands cannot be entered when the game is not in focus. Since we will be entering console commands when verifying SKSE later in this guide, we are installing this mod now to avoid any confusion with those steps.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.4. Additional steps for prepared SSE files
⏩️Skip to section 3.5 if you did NOT prepare the latest SSE game files in ⬆️section 2 (Prepare SSE game files), otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). These are additional steps required to support your prepared SSE game files now that your mod manager is installed.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 3.4.1. Install prepared masters
In these next steps we will be adding the masters prepared earlier to your mod manager.
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.4.1.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Open your game folder by clicking Open… in the main application toolbar and selecting Open Game Folder.
- This will open your 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder. When inside, open the 📁Data folder. In addition to other files, you should see the following folder we created earlier:
- Skyrim Updated Masters
- 👆Drag the 📁Skyrim Updated Masters folder into the Drop File(s) section to add the mod manually. Watch the notification area in the top right of Vortex to see when completed. Since the mod contains multiple plugins, when asked whether you'd like to enable these, select Enable all.
- NOTE – This may take several minutes to fully import as the file size for this folder is quite large.
- This will create a mod for the dragged folder and add it to your list. Additionally, this appends a .7z extension to your mod name and actually creates an archive (which we will delete later).
- Double-click the Skyrim Updated Masters.7z entry in the list to open the mod details panel.
- Remove the .7z from the name and/or rename it entirely (based on your preference) and change the Source to User-Generated (to get rid of the ⚠️warning icon).
- 🗑️Delete the 🗜️.7z archive that was automatically created as it is not required. The easiest way to do this is by clicking the Remove⏷ button in the Actions column of the mod entry. Be sure to select only the ☑️ Delete Archive checkbox (ensure the ⬛ Remove Mod checkbox remains unchecked).
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.2.
¶ 3.4.1.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- From the folder icon at the top right of the mod list (next to the wrench icon), select Open Mods folder.
- Keep this temporary folder open and set it aside for a moment.
- From the same folder icon in MO2 select Open Game Folder.
- This will open the 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder. When inside, open the 📁Data folder. In addition to other files, you should see the following folder we created earlier:
- Skyrim Updated Masters
- 👉Move the 📁Skyrim Updated Masters folder into the mods folder we opened and set aside a few steps earlier.
- When finished, select MO2 to ensure it is the active window and hit the F5 button on your keyboard to refresh the application.
- You should now see a new entry in your mod list for the updated masters.
- The mod is given the highest priority and should be located at the bottom of the mod list (with default sorting).
- ✅Enable the mod.
- Feel free to reposition the mod in the list to better organize it with your other mods. This mod MUST load after all official master files in the mod list, but aside from that, priority order does not matter as there will never be other loose file conflicts.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.2.
¶ 3.4.2. Install prepared Creation Club content
⏩️Skip to section 3.4.3 if you did NOT prepare Creation Club files earlier, otherwise, proceed. We will now add your prepared Creation Club content to your mod manager. There are several options on how to perform this listed below in the order of most to least recommended.
✋NOTICE – If using 🧀Wabbajack, determining what Creation Club content to bring over will depend 100% on the requirements of the modlist itself. Since I cannot account for all possibilities, be sure to enable ONLY the content which the list requires in the steps below.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
If Creation Club files are stored directly in the Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder, they cannot be enabled or disabled with your mod manager at all. Even if you copy the files directly into a single mod that can be managed by your mod manager, many (but not all) of the Creation Club mods cannot simply be toggled on and off in the plugin list for some reason. Mod Organizer 2 can get around this by allowing you to 🙈Hide and 👁️Unhide files themselves in the mod's Filetree list, but Vortex has no native ability to do so. This requires Vortex users to either delete files which cannot be toggled off or manually copy each mod to its own respective mod entry in the Mods tab. There are 70 Anniversary Upgrade mods alone, so this is both tedious and even confusing given it must be done by filename, which may not be intuitive. It is for this reason that following the steps in this section is (highly) recommended. The final option below will allow you to keep these mods unmanaged, if desired.
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.4.2.1. Option 1: Curation Club plugin (MO2 only)
The Curation Club plugin will separate all Creation Club content into their own individual mods within MO2 automatically with a single click so that you can easily toggle them on or off, depending on preference. NOTE – This plugin requires MO2 version 2.5 or greater so will not work on version 2.4.4 or below. Also, despite the mod page indicating that the plugin "doesn't currently work", there are no issues at all with Skyrim and free CC content or Anniversary Upgrade content. The issues appear to affect only Creation Engine 2 games (such as Starfield).
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 3.4.2.1.1. Install Curation Club for MO2
⏩️Skip to section 3.4.2.1.2 if the Curation Club plugin is already installed, otherwise, proceed with the steps below.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab.
- Ensure you click the Manual download link (this will not install with your mod manager).
- NOTE – Ignore the message on the mod page stating the plugin does not work, I have tested this prior to posting instructions.
- When completed, open this file from your web browser downloads folder (it is a 🗜️.zip file).
- 📦Extract the contents of the file into the 📁plugins folder of your MO2 folder. For example, if you installed MO2 into 🖥️C:\Modding\MO2, extract this to 🖥️C:\Modding\MO2\plugins.
- If done correctly, you should now have a 📁curationclub folder inside of 📁plugins (e.g., 🖥️C:\Modding\MO2\plugins\curationclub).
- ❌Exit and 🚀️Relaunch MO2.
- Verify this is installed correctly by navigating to the Tools > Tool Plugins menu of the main menu bar (you can also click the puzzle icon in the main toolbar). You should now see a Curation Club entry.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.4.2.1.2. Move CC content files back to Data folder
- Open your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- Open the 📁CC Content folder inside.
- 👉Move all files from inside this folder back to your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder (✂️Cut & ↴️ Paste may be easier).
- Alternatively, you can 📋Copy the files instead if you want to keep a backup of these mods.
- 🗑️Delete the 📁CC Content folder if files were moved.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.4.2.1.3. Run Curation Club
- From the Tools > Tool Plugins menu of the main menu bar, click the Curation Club entry (this can also be found in the puzzle icon in the main toolbar).
- The following window should be shown:
- Ensure the ☑️ Root Builder Support checkbox is checked.
- Click the OK button. It may appear the program is frozen but give it a few seconds to complete.
- You should now see individual entries in your mod list for all 4 free DLC mods as well all mods contained in the Anniversary Upgrade (if applicable).
- These mods are given the highest priority and should be located at the bottom of the mod list (with default sorting).
- Feel free to reposition these mods in the list to better organize them with your other mods. Since these files were moved from their default locations, there should not be any loose file conflicts.
- Optionally, you can organize these with separators. For example:
- 🗂️Creation Club Content - Free DLC
- Creation Club - Fishing
- Creation Club - Rare Curios
- Creation Club - Saints & Seducers
- Creation Club - Survival Mode
- 🗂️Creation Club Content - Anniversary Upgrade
- All other CC mods
- ✅Enable any/all of these mods that you would like to use.
- See the Creation Club pages on the 🔗Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages Wiki or 🔗Elder Scrolls Fandom Wiki pages for descriptions of each mod to help with this.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.3.
¶ 3.4.2.2. Option 2: AE Creation Club File Organizer
This is a PowerShell script that I wrote which provides the exact same functionality as the Curation Club plugin, but does not require MO2 (which means Vortex users can also use it). It works on a file and folder level (rather than a mod level within your mod manager), so should never break as a result of future mod manager and/or Skyrim game updates.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 3.4.2.2.1. Download and install scripts
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab.
- Ensure you click the Manual download link (this will not install with your mod manager).
- NOTE – Ignore the Installation and Usage instructions on the page as we are covering those here.
- 📦Extract the files to your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.4.2.2.2. Move CC content files back to Data folder
- Open your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- Open the 📁CC Content folder inside.
- 👉Move all files from inside this folder back to your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder (✂️Cut & ↴️ Paste may be easier).
- 🗑️Delete the 📁CC Content folder (which should now be empty).
- ✔️You are done!
- Keep this Explorer window open through the next steps.
¶ 3.4.2.2.3. Open PowerShell and run the script
In order to execute the script, we have to launch PowerShell a certain way to ensure we bypass the system's execution policy (otherwise the script will not run). This will affect the current instance only, so when PowerShell is closed, the current system policy will be reinforced again.
- Click on the address bar at the top of the Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder. This will highlight the location (yours may be different).
- With the folder highlighted, type powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass to replace the text and hit Enter.
- This will open PowerShell directly in this folder.
- Type .\ae_creation_club_file_organizer.ps1 and hit Enter
- NOTE – you can simply type ae and then press the Tab key until the .ps1 file above is shown.
- You will be prompted with this screen:
- If you are OK to proceed, type Y (or just hit Enter). This will start processing the files.
- If you are using Steam, and the Anniversary Upgrade manifest files are detected, you will be prompted with the following:
- Enter your preferred selection from the list of options. This will determine your mod folder setup depending on the mod manager you are using. Once you enter your selection, the script will continue to process.
- When finished, the script should show the following (your output may differ slightly depending on the number of files moved and/or manifest file selection):
- ❌Exit PowerShell.
- Open the 📁CC Content folder that was just (re-)created. You should now see a list of applicable folders for the mods detected by the script (see example image below):
- ✔️You are done!
- Keep this temporary folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 3.4.2.2.4. Import mods into mod manager
The next step is to import these folders into your mod manager.
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.4.2.2.4.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Open your mod staging folder by clicking Open… in the main application toolbar and selecting Open Mod Staging Folder.
- From the 📁CC Content folder we opened and set aside in the previous section, 👉Move ALL folders into the mod staging folder.
- Alternatively, you can 📋Copy the folders instead if you want to keep a backup of these mods.
- ⚠️IMPORTANT – DO NOT 👆Drag these files/folders into the Drop File(s) section of the Vortex application as this could modify our intentional file structure of the mods in a way that makes them unusable (this is the case when opting to manage the 📄.manifest files). Additionally, dragging a folder into Vortex also automatically creates a 🗜️.7z file which unnecessarily takes up space.
- ❌Exit and 🚀️Relaunch Vortex.
- When opening, you will be prompted with the following message (example image below, your prompt may differ depending on the name of your mods):
- Click the Apply Changes button.
- In the Mod Name field of the mod list, type Creation Club. This should filter your list to show the mods we just imported (they are all currently disabled).
- Double-click the first entry in the list to open the mod details panel and make the following updates:
- ⚠️IMPORTANT – If manifest files were found when running the script and you selected Option 2 (Manage them with Vortex), you MUST change the Mod Type in the mod details panel to Engine Injector. This will ensure the mod is installed in your main 📁[🐉SkyrimVR] folder, rather than the 📁[🐉Data] folder, otherwise, these mods will not load properly.
- Optionally change the Source to User-Generated (to get rid of the ⚠️warning icon in the list).
- Repeat this process of updating properties for ALL files you imported. Don't worry, although tedious, you only have to do this once. If you are not managing manifest files you can effectively skip the above step entirely as long as you don't mind seeing the ⚠️warning icon.
- ✅Enable any/all of your preferred CC mods in Vortex.
- See the Creation Club pages on the 🔗Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages Wiki or 🔗Elder Scrolls Fandom Wiki pages for descriptions of each mod to help with this.
- If you were previously managing any Creation Club content with Vortex, ⛔Disable and/or 🗑️Delete those mod(s) now since the process we performed will completely replace the old mod(s) (assuming they were included for processing with the script).
- You can now 🗑️Delete the 📁CC Content folder from your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder. If you moved the files in the previous section, the folder should be empty. If you copied all files (rather than moving them), you can optionally keep this folder as a backup for all of your CC content.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.3.
¶ 3.4.2.2.4.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- From the folder icon at the top right of the mod list (next to the wrench icon), select Open Mods folder.
- From the 📁CC Content folder we opened and set aside in the previous section, 👉Move ALL folders into the mods folder you just opened.
- Alternatively, you can 📋Copy the folders instead if you want to keep a backup of these mods.
- When finished, select MO2 to ensure it is the active window and hit the F5 button on your keyboard to refresh the mod list.
- You should now see individual entries in your mod list for all 4 free DLC mods as well all mods contained in the Anniversary Upgrade (if applicable).
- These mods are given the highest priority and should be located at the bottom of the mod list (with default sorting).
- Feel free to reposition these mods in the list to better organize them with your other mods. Since these files were moved from their default locations, there should not be any loose file conflicts.
- Optionally, you can organize these with separators. For example:
- 🗂️Creation Club Content - Free DLC
- Creation Club - Fishing
- Creation Club - Rare Curios
- Creation Club - Saints & Seducers
- Creation Club - Survival Mode
- 🗂️Creation Club Content - Anniversary Upgrade
- All other CC mods
- ✅Enable any/all of your preferred CC mods.
- See the Creation Club pages on the 🔗Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages Wiki or 🔗Elder Scrolls Fandom Wiki pages for descriptions of each mod to help with this.
- If you were previously managing any Creation Club content with Vortex, ⛔Disable and/or 🗑️Delete those mod(s) now since the process we performed will completely replace the old mod(s) (assuming they were included for processing with the script).
- You can now 🗑️Delete the 📁CC Content folder from your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder. If you moved the files in the previous section, the folder should be empty. If you copied all files (rather than moving them), you can optionally keep this folder as a backup for all of your CC content.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.3.
¶ 3.4.2.3. Option 3: Anniversary Edition Content Picker mod
This mod provides an easy-to-use FOMOD installer with names and descriptions for each Creation Club mod, allowing you to easily decide which mod(s) you want to actually install and use. The only downside here is that you cannot simply enable and disable mods at will, you have to re-run the installer to select which content you'd like. This comes with a little bit less granularity than the above options, and also requires an additional 3.5GB of space (with all Anniversary Upgrade content) since a copy of the files also needs to remain in the 🗜️.zip file/installer so that the reinstall can be re-run at another time. That said, if you have the space, the inline descriptions can be of huge benefit when selecting which content to enable.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 3.4.2.3.1. Prepare mod installation files
This mod is special in that you need to unpack it, add files to it, then repack it before it can be installed. The steps below provide instructions for this process.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab.
- Ensure you click the Manual download link (this will not install with your mod manager).
- Be sure to click any additional download buttons on the following page if the mod does not start downloading automatically.
- 📦Extract the files to a temporary location (e.g., 🖥️C:\temp).
- Keep this temporary folder open and set it aside for a moment.
- Open your Skyrim VR 📁[🐉Data] folder.
- 👉Move the 📁CC Content folder into the temporary folder we created and set aside a couple of steps earlier. The folder should already contain its own 📁CC Content folder (which is empty), so you are just adding your files to it.
- Alternatively, you can 📋Copy the folders instead if you want to keep a backup of these mods.
- Select all 3 folders within the temporary folder. These folders are:
- CC Content
- fomod
- Images
- With the folders selected, recompress into a 🗜️.zip file.
- This can be done using a 3rd party tool (such as 7zip, Winrar, etc.) or by the Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder option in the default Windows right-click context menu. Be sure to (re-)name the file to Anniversary Edition Content Picker.zip.
- ✔️You are done!
- Keep this temporary folder open and set it aside for a moment.
¶ 3.4.2.3.2. Install the mod
The next step is to install the mod into your mod manager.
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.4.2.3.2.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 👆Drag the 🗜️Anniversary Edition Content Picker.zip file from the above temporary folder into the Drop File(s) section to add the mod manually.
- NOTE – This may take several minutes to fully import as the file size for this mod is quite large.
- The FOMOD installer should automatically open when the file is done importing.
- Proceed through the FOMOD installer and select all of the content you wish to use.
- NOTE – You can always 🛠️Reinstall this mod if your requirements change at any time by right-clicking the mod in the mod list, and selecting Reinstall to re-run the FOMOD installer and re-select which CC content you wish to enable/disable, so your current selections are not permanent.
- When completed, double-click the Anniversary Edition Content Picker.zip entry in the list to open the mod details panel.
- Remove the .zip from the name and change the Source to User-Generated (to get rid of the ⚠️warning icon).
- ✅Enable the mod.
- You can now 🗑️Delete the temporary folder you created earlier (e.g., 🖥️C:\temp).
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.3.
¶ 3.4.2.3.2.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 👆Drag the 🗜️Anniversary Edition Content Picker.zip file from the above temporary folder into the Downloads tab to add the mod manually.
- NOTE – This may take a minute to copy as the file size for this mod is quite large.
- 🛠️Install the mod. The FOMOD installer should open.
- Proceed through the FOMOD installer and select all of the content you wish to use.
- NOTE – You can always 🛠️Reinstall this mod if your requirements change at any time by right-clicking the mod in the mod list, and selecting Reinstall Mod to re-run the FOMOD installer and re-select which CC content you wish to enable/disable, so your current selections are not permanent. Be sure you do NOT delete the 🗜️Anniversary Edition Content Picker.zip file from the Downloads tab of the main MO2 window, otherwise you won't be able to perform the reinstall later.
- ✅Enable the mod.
- Feel free to reposition the mod in the list to better organize it with your other mods. Since these files were moved from their default locations, there should not be any loose file conflicts.
- You can now 🗑️Delete the temporary folder you created earlier (e.g., 🖥️C:\temp).
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.4.3.
¶ 3.4.3. Install updated string files
If you use the latest SSE master files with Skyrim VR, some localization strings will be missing as the updated plugins include additional records not included in the VR version. This can cause some text to appear incorrectly, as well as other odd behavior, like not being able to pick up lockpicks and having existing ones disappear from your inventory. To resolve this, I've merged updated SSE string files with VR-specific ones into a mod that will overwrite those included with Skyrim VR when installed.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.4.4. Disable the survival mode prompt
⏩️Skip to section 3.5 if you did NOT prepare Creation Club files earlier (the remaining steps in this section require them), otherwise, proceed. Skyrim VR is not fully compatible with the Survival Mode mod included with the free Creation Club content from the Skyrim Special Edition 1.6 update. This is because it is running an older version of the game engine that does not fully support some of the features, such as HUD indicators or sleeping to level up, to name a couple. While the game does not crash when using Survival Mode, to prevent confusion due to these limitations, the mod functionailty should be disabled while keeping the mod itself enabled to ensure compatibility with other mods (such as the latest version of USSEP). There are two mods which can perform this, listed below.
- 📥Download one of the following mods from their respective FILES tab using the Mod manager download button. Both options are functionally the same, so Choose only one.
- 🔗Survival Mode Prompt Removed (script)
- Be sure to grab the Survival Mode - Disable Permanently file.
- 🔗Survival Mode No Prompt (.esp)
- This 📄.esp version (flagged as an ESL) provides a script-free alternative which many users prefer, but requires a new game.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.4.5. Remove survival text from items
When using updated SSE files, even if updated string files are installed, some item cards behave oddly with Skyrim VR because it does not have native support for Survival Mode. This can result in seeing text like [SURV=Restore 2 points of Hunger], which is extremely immersion breaking! This mod fixes that.
⚜️Author's note: (↕️Expand for details)
Originally listed in this section was 👤@doodlum's 🔗Small VR Fixes mod, however, after extensive testing, I could not get this to remove SURV= text when Survival Mode (ccQDRSSE001-SurvivalMode.esl) was enabled in the load order, which this guide recommends extensively for compatibility reasons. This required me to make my own mod, which is based on the comments found on the POSTS tab of the Small VR Fixes mod page to get it working under these conditions.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.5.
¶ 3.5. Installing Unofficial Patches
The following patches are recommended due to the number of mods which also require them as masters, however, these require some consideration depending on the game version and/or CC content options you have chosen above. If you decide to install these, follow the steps below.
¶ 3.5.1. Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP)
⏩️Skip to section 3.5.2 if using a 🧀Wabbajack modlist (as the proper version should have already been included) or simply do NOT wish to install USSEP, otherwise, proceed. This mod should need no introduction for veteran modders (for various reasons...), but it resolves literally thousands of gameplay, quest, and stability issues, and is an essential mod for nearly every modern modlist.
🔥ADVISORY – Beyond its standalone fixes, USSEP is a critical dependency for many mods. The main point of contention is that current versions of USSEP require the four free Creation Club (CC) mods included with Skyrim 1.6, which some users prefer to keep disabled. Other users may not have access to them at all, such as some Skyrim VR users. As a result, USSEP version 4.2.5b, the final release for Skyrim 1.5.97 which does not require CC masters (and has user-made compatibility patches for VR users), is sometimes used instead, however, using this version is STRONGLY DISCOURAGED (↕️Expand the 💡Additional Information block for details).
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
USSEP Version 4.2.5b is strongly discouraged because modern mods may rely on USSEP records that simply do not exist in older versions, leading to stability issues and even crashes (CTDs). As a legacy file from the 1.5.97 era (August 2021), version 4.2.5b has not been updated to reflect Skyrim's official game updates, and USSEP itself has had many revisions as well to address engine changes and new bug discoveries. Using version 4.2.5b all but assures issues over time with any mods that are based on version 1.6 master files.
The latest version of USSEP is always recommended for a modern load order, which is only possible for Skyrim VR when the latest SSE files are prepared. That said, since the latest version now requires all four free CC mods as masters, disabling any of them means you CAN NOT use it and must use 4.2.5b as a fallback. Therefore, to ensure maximum compatibility and stability of your load order, you should keep the four free CC mods enabled to support the latest USSEP version. For those that really don't want to use them, note that you can simply decline the in-game prompt for Survival Mode, and can additionally ignore fishing altogether, leaving only 2 remaining CC mods which themselves are minimal in scope. While I have provided steps for using 4.2.5b below, it is a significantly less stable path for a modern load order for the reasons stated!
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.5.1.1. Option 1: All free CC content enabled (recommended)
If you prepared and installed the latest SSE files and have enabled ALL 4 of the free CC DLC mods (Survival Mode, Saints & Seducers, Rare Curios, and Fishing), then you CAN use the most recent version of USSEP.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- NOTE – IGNORE any/all messaging on the mod page indicating that the mod "requires SSE v1.6.1130+" (or similar)! The updated masters and CC files prepared will support this version!
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.5.2.
¶ 3.5.1.2. Option 2: At least one CC mod disabled
If you prepared and installed the latest SSE files and have disabled ANY of the free CC DLC mods (Survival Mode, Saints & Seducers, Rare Curios, or Fishing), then you can NOT use the most recent version of USSEP (you must use version 4.2.5b).
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 📥Download version 4.2.5b of USSEP via 🔗this link.
- Be sure to click the Start download button on the following page after clcking the link to download into your mod manager.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.5.2.
¶ 3.5.1.3. Option 3: Latest SSE files NOT prepared
If you did NOT prepare and install the latest SSE files in the previous sections above, you will need to follow instructions to manually create a compatibility patch 🔗on this page. This process is inferior to our method of preparing updated masters and Creation Club content but is the only option to carry 1.5.97 changes over for users that do not own Skyrim Special Edition.
¶ 3.5.2. Unofficial Skyrim Creation Club Content Patches (USCCCP)
⏩️Skip to section 3.6 if you did NOT prepare Anniversary Upgrade files, did NOT install USSEP (above, as it is a requirement for this mod), or are using a 🧀Wabbajack modlist (as the proper version should have already been included, if applicable), otherwise, proceed. This mod fixes many bugs with the Anniversary Upgrade Creation Club content and is required as a dependency by a few other mods as well.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
As of version 8.x, this mod has re-implemented a FOMOD installer, which will detect which CC mods you have installed to apply applicable patches. There is also a single, merged plugin for those that have all CC mods enabled and prefer to keep their plugin count down. Due to this, the steps below now cover all users.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab using the Mod manager download button.
- Be sure to click any additional download buttons on the following page if the mod does not start downloading automatically.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.6. (Optional) Install Bethini Pie
⏩️Skip to section 3.7 if you do NOT want to install this tool, otherwise, follow the steps below (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block). Bethini Pie is a tool that makes editing INI configuration files simple via a graphical user interface. In particular we want to apply recommended tweaks and quality presets that can significantly improve game performance and visuals. Skyrim VR was not previously supported, but I have created a compatible plugin so this tool can now be used (yaayyy!).
✋NOTICE – If you are or were previously using Bilago's 🔗Skyrim VR Configuration Tool, note that Bethini Pie is now fully compatible with Skyrim VR when used with my plugin and is now the recommended option. With this added VR support and Advanced tab introduced in Bethini Pie v4.13, its previous shortcomings compared to Bilago's tool have now been overcome.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 3.6.1. Install Bethini Pie
⏩️Skip to section 3.6.2 if already have the latest version of Bethini Pie installed, otherwise, proceed.
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab.
- Ensure you click the Manual download link (this will not install with your mod manager).
- When completed, open this file from your web browser downloads folder (it is a 🗜️.7z file).
- 📦Extract the contents of the file into a folder of your choosing, ideally in a location which contains (or will contain) other modding tools. For example, if you extract this to 🖥️C:\Modding\, you should now see a folder called 🖥️C:\Modding\Bethini Pie.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.6.2. Install Skyrim VR plugin for Bethini Pie
- 📥Download the latest version from the 🔗main mod page FILES tab.
- Ensure you click the Manual download link (this will not install with your mod manager).
- When completed, open this file from your web browser downloads folder (it is a 🗜️.zip file).
- 📦Extract the contents of the file into your Bethini Pie folder from above. For example, 🖥️C:\Modding\Bethini Pie.
- If done correctly, you should now have a 📁Skyrim VR (infernalryan) folder inside of your 📁Bethini Pie\apps folder (e.g., 🖥️C:\Modding\Bethini Pie\apps\Skyrim VR (infernalryan)).
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.6.3. Additional prepration
The following steps need to be completed before launching Bethini Pie. NOTE – The steps below for configuring a tool or executable follow the instructions in the guides referenced in ⬆️section 3.2.2 (Mod manager fundamentals). Refer to those guides if you are unfamiliar with the process.
- To make intial setup easier, you will want to create a 📄SkyrimVR.ini file if it does not exist as this file not automatically created during initial VR Playroom calibration in Skyrim VR.
- Open your 📁Documents\My Games\Skyrim VR folder. This is typically on the 🖥️C:\ drive, but your setup may differ.
- Create the file if it does not exist.
- ⚙️Configure a new tool/executable in your mod manager using the following options. This will be how you will launch Bethini Pie every time moving forward.
- 🔶Vortex users (Optional – This can be launched directly if desired)
- Target – Browse to the Bethini Pie application.
- Name – give this a name (e.g., Bethini Pie).
- Start In – This should automatically populate with the Bethini Pie folder.
- Command Line – Leave this blank.
- Click Save.
- 🔷Mod Organizer 2 users
- Binary – Browse to the Bethini Pie application.
- Title – give this a name (e.g., Bethini Pie).
- Start in – This should automatically populate with the Bethini Pie folder.
- Arguments – Leave this blank.
- Click OK.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 3.6.4. Bethini usage
- 🚀️Launch Bethini Pie using the tool/executable created, or (for Vortex Users) via the direct file path if you did not create one.
- If this is your first time using the software, you should be prompted for game selection. If not, this can be accessed from the File > Choose Game menu.
- Be sure to select Skyrim VR (infernalryan) from the list.
- Next, the Setup window should appear so you can select your paths. If not, this can be accessed from the Edit > Setup menu.
- The Game Path and INI Path fields in the Setup window must be set using the Browse… option or by entering them manually, as auto-detection isn't yet supported for Skyrim VR.
- These represent your game folder (where ⚡SkyrimVR.exe is located) and INI folder (where 📄SkyrimVR.ini is located), respectively.
- Once the main window is shown, the Basic tab should be displayed. Under the Presets section, the following actions are recommended:
- Click the Reset to Default button
- Click one of the 5 quality preset buttons based on your system (Poor/Low/Medium/High/Ultra). You can select either the 🟣 Bethini Preset or 🟣 Vanilla Preset radio button (Bethini recommended).
- Click the Apply Recommended Tweaks button.
- Next, set your HMD Refresh Rate via the dropdown menu in the Display section. This should match your VR headset's maximum refresh rate (you may need to look this up for your specific model).
- Feel free to browse and modify other settings within the program.
- If you are unsure what a setting does, hover over the control to display a tooltip with additional information. Some settings will have an image preview, which can be seen by right-clicking the control. I have denoted these in the Skyrim VR plugin with a ✨ icon in the tooltip.
- 💾Save (via the File > Save menu) and then ❌Exit the program.
- NOTE – If using Bethini presets, it is recommended to start with Medium first. When playing, if you feel like you have additional performance headroom, increase the preset quality until you find a good baseline, then adjust individual performance settings as needed (LOD, grass, shadows, etc.).
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.7.
¶ 3.7. Prevent interior loading crashes
This 📄SkyrimVR.ini setting is included to help prevent crashes when loading interior cells, especially when they are heavily modded.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
This setting (uInterior Cell Buffer) manages how the engine stores previously-visited interior cells in memory. In heavily modded setups—especially those using JK's Interiors or Lux, among others—the engine can become overwhelmed when trying to manage this buffer alongside high-poly meshes and complex lighting, which can cause crashes. For the original discovery and community discussion behind this fix, you can view the full thread on Reddit here: 🔗Possibly the Greatest Discovery for Solving Random Crashes.
⚜️Author's note – Adding this setting drastically improved my own load order stability. It effectively eliminated nearly 100% of the random crashes I experienced when entering buildings or dungeons, which is why I consider it an essential inclusion for this guide.
🔢Section Options:
🔍Review the listed options below. Choose only one and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.7.1. Option 1: Bethini Pie users
If you installed Bethini Pie, you can modify this setting from within the program.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🚀️Launch Bethini Pie.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- In the Search box, enter uInterior Cell Buffer and press Enter.
- Double-click the entry. In the Current Value field, change the value to to 0 and click the Save button.
- 💾Save and ❌Exit the program.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.8.
¶ 3.7.2. Option 2: All other users
If you did NOT install Bethini Pie, you will need to manually edit the file directly.
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 3.7.2.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- Open your 📁Documents\My Games\Skyrim VR folder. This is typically on the 🖥️C:\ drive, but your setup may differ.
- This can be done quickly by clicking the Open… icon in the Vortex main application toolbar and selecting Game Settings Folder.
- Edit the 📄SkyrimVR.ini file in a text editor.
- Modify the following line under the [General] section. If the value does not exist, you will need to add it manually (📋Copy & ↴️ Paste the line below).
- uInterior Cell Buffer=0
- 💾Save and ❌Close the file.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.8.
¶ 3.7.2.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- From the Tools > Tool Plugins menu of the main menu bar, click the INI Editor entry (this can also be found in the puzzle icon in the main toolbar).
- Click the skyrimvr.ini tab on the window that appears.
- Optionally, ensure the ⬛ Show Whitespace checkbox is unchecked. If not, your spaces will look like dots and it may be confusing.
- Modify the following line under the [General] section. If the value does not exist, you will need to add it manually (📋Copy & ↴️ Paste the line below).
- uInterior Cell Buffer=0
- Click the Save button at the bottom.
- ❌Close the window.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 3.8.
¶ 3.8. Update system pagefile settings
Skyrim is notoriously quirky compared to modern games in that it will utilize the Windows pagefile (virtual memory) regardless of how much physical RAM you have installed. If Windows is left to manage this file automatically (which it does by default), it will constantly grow the file as needed, which often results in noticeable stuttering and frame-hitching during gameplay. In extreme cases, it can even cause the game to crash to the desktop without an error. The steps below will instruct you on how to properly configure this for Skyrim VR, which is especially important for larger modlists.
- 📋Copy & ↴️ Paste the following into the Windows Run dialog (🪟Win + R):
- sysdm.cpl ,3
- In the Performance box, click the Settings… button.
- Click the Advanced tab.
- In the Virtual memory box, click the Change… button.
- Ensure the ⬛ Automatically manage paging file size for all drives checkbox is unchecked.
- Select your fastest drive from the list in the Paging file size for each drive box (ideally the one Skyrim VR is installed on).
- Select the 🟣 Custom size option and enter the values below.
- It is highly recommended to set BOTH minimum and maximum values to 40GB (40960 MB). This is the standard for Skyrim modding. This reserves the entire 40GB of space for paging, preventing growth spurts which can result in stuttering or crashing.
- If you are low on space, don't want to reserve 40GB at all times, or plan on running a light(er) modlist, set the minimum value to at least 20GB (20480 MB). For the maximum value, you can set anywhere between this value and 40GB, however, any value used higher than the minimum will likely stay allocated until a full system restart (shutting down with fast startup enabled does not count), so it really makes the most sense to set both values equally.
- Click the Set button (do not skip this!).
- (Optional) If you have just created your paging file above on a separate drive than your previous paging file(s), it is recommended to remove the old file(s) altogether to ensure all paging is on a single disk. To do this, select the drive in the list, select the 🟣 No paging file radio button and then click the Set button. Repeat for any additional drives.
- Click OK.
- ✔️You are done!
- NOTE – A reboot is required for the pagefile update to take effect, however, this only needs to be performed at some point prior to starting your actual playthrough.
¶ 4. Verify installation
After all of this prep work, you're finally ready to test launching the game from your mod manager and verify SKSE is working. Note that you will need access to a keyboard as we will be using the console in the steps below.
¶ 4.1. Launch Skyrim VR
When using SKSE, you MUST launch the game via the SKSE launcher to ensure your mods load and function correctly. While this section and the next are focused on verifying your SKSE installation, this will be how you will launch the game every time you play moving forward.
🧩Mod Manager-Specific Steps:
The steps below depend on the mod manager chosen. Choose only one option and follow its steps (↕️Expand the 📜Instructions block).
¶ 4.1.1. Option 1: Vortex
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🚀️Launch Vortex if it is not already open.
- 🌀Deploy mods.
- Click the Play button icon in the main Skyrim VR graphic at the top of the Vortex Application to launch the game.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 4.2.
¶ 4.1.2. Option 2: Mod Organizer 2
📜Instructions: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🚀️Launch MO2 if it is not already open.
- Select the SKSE executable you set up in previous steps (or that came with your 🧀Wabbajack installation) from the executables dropdown list. For example:
- Click the ▶ Run button.
- ✔️You are done!
- ⤵️Proceed to section 4.2.
¶ 4.2. Verify SKSE is running
Once in the game, you will need to make sure SKSE is loaded properly. You can do this with a console command. Follow the steps below.
✋NOTICE – If you receive the error Script command "getskseversion" not found. when running the command below, you will need to revisit steps above relating to SKSE to find where the issue is. MO2 users may need to review ⬆️section 3.3.1.2 as well to ensure folders have been set up correctly for use with Root Builder.
- Once Skyrim VR is open, at the main menu, press the Tilde/Grave (~/`) key (typically located directly to the left of the 1 key) to open the in-game console. Do not start or load a game.
- NOTE – On custom or compact keyboards, this key is often shared with Esc. You may need to use a function combination, such as FN + Esc to trigger it. On non-US keyboards, this may be in a different position.
- With the console open, type getskseversion and press Enter.
- This should show the SKSE version number.
- 🧠REMEMBER THIS VERSION OF SKSE!🧠 While this should be visible in your mod manager (under the Version column), this is the version which may be referred to by other mods when noting their compatibility (e.g., "Compatible with SKSE 2.0.20"). You don't have to commit this to memory, just remember where to find it before grabbing additional mods which require SKSE to prevent crashes.
- ❌Exit Skyrim VR by typing qqq in the console and pressing Enter.
- ✔️You are done!
¶ 5. Next Steps
Now that you have verified your Skyrim installation and confirmed that your core mods are working, you are ready to start modding. To help you on your journey, the sections below provide key information, recommended mods, and supplemental guides to get you started and serve as a quick reference and roadmap for building out your modlist. Since the rest of the information in this guide is purely for reference and support, feel free to 🔖Bookmark this page for later or ⏭️Skip to section 6 for additional resources and troubleshooting information.
¶ 5.1. Version and compatibility notes
This section outlines how to verify compatibility and select the correct version of a mod for your specific setup, along with information on reviewing dependencies and checking for known issues on the mod page (↕️Expand the 📖Continue reading block).
📖Continue Reading: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 5.1.1. Version selection
Compatibility rules are different depending on the type of file the mod is. This could be an SKSE plugin (.dll file), a game plugin (.esm, .esp, .esl), or something else. Review the details below to understand how to identify the correct files for your game version and platform.
¶ 5.1.1.1. SKSE plugins (.dll)
Because SKSE plugins interact directly with Skyrim's memory, they are extremely version-sensitive. To ensure your game launches, you must use mods which are compatible with your version of SKSE! While some version matching is obvious—with specific game versions listed directly in the file download—many modern mods use non-obvious methods to maintain compatibility across multiple versions of the game. Review the information below for details on how to select the right plugin version for your current setup.
✋NOTICE – Just because a mod indicates it requires SKSE, doesn't mean it is an SKSE plugin—the mod author may just be listing a requirement of one of its other requirements. To confirm if a mod truly is an SKSE plugin, you can click Preview file contents from the mod's download page and search for .dll.
💡Additional information: (↕️Expand for details)
Traditionally, SKSE plugins were hard-coded for one specific version of Skyrim and SKSE (e.g., a mod built exclusively for 1.5.97 / SKSE 2.0.17). This required the mod to be updated each and every time a Skyrim game update was released, leading to an unfortunate number of mods that were never updated if, for example, a mod author stepped away from Skyrim modding.
To solve this, many modern mods are built using Address Library. This allows a plugin to be compatible across multiple versions of the same major release. For example, a single 📄.dll file can support the entire 1.6.x range (including Steam and GOG) without needing separate files for every minor game update. One important limitation, however, is that Address Library alone cannot bridge the gap between major game versions like 1.5.97 and 1.6.x. If a mod author wants to support both of these versions, they must provide a separate download for each.
Alternatively, to overcome this limitation, mods can be built using the CommonLibSSE framework (or the newer CommonLibSSE-NG, with those mods often denoted with NG in the title). This framework is the most versatile and expands compatibility even further, allowing a single 📄.dll to support multiple game versions simultaneously. This includes 1.5.97, 1.6.x, and even Skyrim VR, with a single download. This level of support is not automatic, however, as it still requires the mod author to intentionally build the plugin to support each intended version of the game.
While the above methods improve compatibility dramatically, they can sometimes make it difficult to determine which version of a mod to download for your setup, or if it is even compatible with yours. Mod descriptions are not always updated to reflect compatibility with newer Skyrim releases, and not all functionality can be provided to a plugin using the above frameworks, leaving some authors unable to use them. Because it is not always clear what level of current and future support a mod has, it is essential to always check mod requirements and user comments carefully.
- Obvious compatibility: These are the most straightforward ways to confirm compatibility with your current setup, and can include the following:
- Explicit version matching: This is when your version or build is mentioned on the description or files page (e.g., "1.5.97", "GOG version 1.6.1179", "VR", etc.). If your version is listed, it is compatible.
- Explicit range matching: This is when a range of game versions or builds is mentioned on the description or files page and your version is listed directly as the start, end, or in the middle of that stated range (e.g., "1.6.640 to 1.6.1170" or "1.6.1170 and above" which would match if you are using 1.6.1170 since it is directly listed). If so, it is compatible.
- Non-obvious compatibility: These require a bit more investigation when your specific version is not explicitly included in the mod description or file list, making compatibility unclear at a glance. For example, if you are running version 1.6.1170 and the download page states a file is compatible with "version 1.6.640 to 1.6.1130", or perhaps a mod page says "Steam version 1.6.x" and you are using GOG version 1.6.1179—is it compatible? The below steps will help you to determine if the plugin will work:
- Check for dependencies: Look at the mod's requirement section for Address Library or for a mention of CommonLibSSE in the mod description. If a mod lists a version range that does not explicitly include yours, or if your version number is higher than what is listed, these dependencies are a strong indicator of compatibility. Omissions are often just a result of the author not updating the text for the latest patch. These frameworks generally allow a plugin to work across the same major release chain (such as all 1.6.x versions) regardless of whether the specific build number is listed, so if your version is part of that major release, it should also work assuming your version is not earlier than the minimum version listed. This applies to GOG versions as well.
- Additional GOG nuances: The latest GOG version (1.6.1179) is technically numerically higher than the latest Steam version (1.6.1170). If a mod is labeled "1.6.1170 and above" or "1.6.x," this implies at minimum Address Library support (because no specific end boundary is defined), so the mod is almost certainly also compatible with GOG. This also includes mods that contain ranges alongside a "Steam" label, such as 🔗MCM Helper indicating "1.6.1130+ (Steam)". Because Address Library is platform-agnostic, the GOG version should still be compatible in these cases despite the Steam-specific labeling.
- Inspect FOMOD installer: If you are still not sure, look for a FOMOD installer. If the installer requires you to manually select a specific game version and does not provide an option for yours, the mod is likely hard-coded. In these cases, the plugin is strictly tied to the versions listed and will likely cause a crash if used on a newer or different version. To determine this without downloading the mod, you can click the Preview file contents link under a file download. In the list of files that is displayed, search for .dll. If there are multiple copies of a mod's 📄.dll file listed under different folders of the same branch (e.g., seeing folders for both 1.6.640 and 1.6.1170 listed), there may not be compatibility.
- Review user feedback: Check the POSTS and BUGS tabs on the mod page. Because mod descriptions are often static, other users will frequently leave comments confirming if the current version functions or not with a specific game version if not listed on the mod page.
- Install and test: When in doubt - install and test for your version. If the game loads without an error, you will next want to try installing and enabling a mod which uses it as a dependency to ensure it also loads properly and functions in-game. This process does not take that long and can often be faster than researching compatibility from other sources.
- Compatibility alternatives: If a mod is confirmed to be incompatible with your version of SKSE or Skyrim, you may still be able to find a replacement or a community-made fix. It is common for other authors to release patches or separate versions that overwrite the original mod's files to provide the necessary compatibility. This is frequent in the VR community and with GOG-specific fixes (such as the 🔗RaceMenu fix for GOG). To find these, check the Mods requiring this file section under the Requirements section on the original mod page. Look for entries listed as patches/fixes or include the version you are using in the name (e.g., VR, SSE, or GOG) to provide the specific version support you need.
¶ 5.1.1.2. Non-SKSE plugins (.esm, .esp, .esl)
These mods should have universal compatibility with all game versions so long as you are using updated SSE master files (e.g., best of both worlds) and 🔗BEES (SSE) or 🔗ESL Support (VR) where applicable. In this case, even if you are running Skyrim VR (version 1.4.15) or have performed a ⏳Downgrade (for example, to version 1.5.97), if a mod (such as USSEP) indicates it "requires 1.6.1130 or greater", you can still use it without issue.
¶ 5.1.1.3. All other files
Similar to non-SKSE plugins, most other file types do not present compatibility issues. This can include assets like models and textures, UI files, and pre-made configuration files. These are generally compatible across all versions of both Skyrim and even Skyrim VR. It is important to note, however, that certain mods are developed with a specific version's layout in mind, or to address a fix which only applies to one game version. For example, a UI mod may technically function for both Skyrim and Skyrim VR but fail to display correctly or fit the screen in one of them. Always verify that a mod's intended visual or functional design aligns with your specific version of the game.
¶ 5.1.2. Review the mod page
Taking a few moments to fully review a mod page can prevent hours of troubleshooting later.
- Mod description page: The mod description page (the DESCRIPTION tab) is your primary source for installation instructions and compatibility notes. Read this thoroughly before every download.
- Requirements: Always be sure to 📥Download and 🛠️Install all listed Nexus requirements and Off-site requirements (found in the Requirements section at the top of the description page). Additionally, review the list of Mods requiring this file, if any, to see if any patches or fixes are listed which are applicable to your setup. Finally, don't forget to check the requirements of the requirements!
- Bugs and posts tabs: Review the BUGS tab for unaddressed issues and the POSTS tab for recent community feedback or pinned comments by the mod author. If a mod has a wall of unaddressed bugs or a locked comment section, it may be a sign the mod is outdated or no longer maintained.
¶ 5.1.3. VR-specific compatibility notes
See below for any compatibility notes specific to Skyrim VR.
¶ 5.1.3.1. Survival Mods
As mentioned previously in this guide, CC Survival Mode is not fully compatible with Skyrim VR. Keeping it enabled and turning it on in-game won't cause any crashes, but many of the features simply won't work since Skyrim VR is running a (much) older version of the Skyrim game engine which does not have access to some functionality added in version 1.5 required to fully support the mod. Since these are engine-level features, they can not all simply be "fixed" with other mods. The misconception is that keeping Survival Mode enabled will cause CTDs (which is why many users omit this mod from their mod list entirely) but this is simply not the case. It is in-fact highly recommended that you keep the mod enabled (so you can use the latest version of USSEP), but just never enable it when prompted in-game. Below are the features that do NOT work with CC Survival Mode, along with comments as to whether other mods can correct and/or workaround these limitations for Skyrim VR.
- HUD indicators – Things like temperature level, cold penalty (health), hunger penalty (stamina), and sleep penalty (magicka) HUD elements. Other survival mods can workaround this by implementing their own UI elements.
- Inventory UI – Things like warmth values in item cards and the bottom bar, as well as any descriptions that only show up when Survival Mode is enabled. Other mods can technically workaround this by implementing their own custom warmth system(s), but the one introduced in later game engines is off limits.
- Sleep to level up – Prevents leveling up until you sleep. Not fixable by standard mods, but may be possible with an SKSE or other .dll based plugin.
- Arrow and lockpick weights – Allows these to have weight (normally 0.1). These can be set manually with other mods, but this native functionality when enabling CC Survival Mode does not work.
- Toggling survival mode – This menu option also does not work in the game even if using a UI replacement that shows the option – it simply does not "stick". Other mods of course can have working toggles for their own survival systems.
Even mods which use the survival "spoof" (such as 🔗Sunhelm) suffer from these limitations. Sunhelm in particular can work around some of the limitations above (except for the sleep to level up feature), but is hindered by its inability to display values from the warmth system since it uses the same system as CC Survival Mode. While the game/mod still acknowledges objects with this property (clothing, food, etc.), there will be no way to display it directly on the user interface, so the mod author has implemented a system for VR users that will display your warmth rating when armor is equipped and unequipped as a status message. Additionally, using the Continuance power now also shows your total warmth rating. This makes the experience playing with a survival mod like this less than optimal. Conversely, a mod like 🔗Frostfall (which uses its own custom warmth and coverage systems) has no such issues, but this mod places survival at the forefront which may feel like a hindrance to some. These are just a couple of examples, so in general, you will want to review any survival and/or basic needs mods (and their requirements) to see specifically what VR compatibility is before installing them.
¶ 5.2. Recommended mods
The mods listed below are recommended, but optional. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the mods included are generally considered essential, including key bug fixes and improvements which focus on enhancing gameplay or introducing features that align more closely with modern gaming standards. Mods that are highly subjective, or require complex setup or heavy patching—such as those affecting settlements, NPCs, combat, animations, system overhauls (cooking, alchemy, etc.), followers, environments, and so on—have been omitted. The descriptions for each come from the mod pages with minor adjustments for clarity. 🔍Review the list of mods below and 📥Download and 🛠️Install any you would like to use (↕️Expand each respective category block).
✋NOTICE – For all of the mods listed below, SKSE compatibility has been verified for Skyrim VR. Unless otherwise noted, always select the VR-specific download or the latest release if no VR-specific files are listed to ensure you are using the correct mod. For more information on SKSE version selection, see the compatibility notes in ⬆️section 5.1.1.1 (SKSE plugins (.dll)) above.
🔥ADVISORY – The non-SKSE mods (.esm, .esp, .esl) listed below assume you are using updated SSE files. If these files were NOT prepared, Skyrim VR compatibility is not guaranteed, as some may require updated records found only in newer files! Without them, mods in this list, as well as others not listed, may not function correctly or could cause CTDs. This is why preparing SSE files has been emphasized so strongly throughout this guide!
⚙️Core mods / Frameworks: (↕️Expand for details)
- Important framework mods
- 🔗powerofthree's Tweaks AND 🔗powerofthree's Tweaks VR
- 🔗powerofthree's Papyrus Extender AND 🔗Papyrus Extender VR
- 🔗JContainers SE
- 🔗PapyrusUtil SE - Modders Scripting Utility Functions
- 🔗Spell Perk Item Distributor (SPID) VR
- 🔗Base Object Swapper VR
- 🔗Keyword Item Distributor (KID)
- ❗ConsoleUtil Extended
- 🔗Fuz Ro D-oh for Skyrim VR
- 🔗MCM Helper
- 🔗Scaleform Translation Plus Plus VR
- 🔗InfinityUI
- 🔗Skyrim VR Tools
- 🔗VRIK Player Avatar
- 🔗HIGGS Enhanced VR Interaction
- 🔗PLANCK - Physical Animation and Character Kinetics
- 🔗Skyrim Priority SE AE - CPU Performance FPS Optimizer
- 🔗Crash Logger SSE AE VR - PDB support
- 🔗PrivateProfileRedirector SE - Faster game start (INI file cacher)
Modding frameworks are tools and libraries that expand Skyrim's modding capabilities. Since many mods require these frameworks to function properly, I've listed some of the most widely used ones below. These are all SKSE plugins. Again, be sure to download the files specifically for your game version of Skyrim and/or SKSE version, where applicable.
You must install the SSE version with the FOMOD from the non-VR version and then overwrite all required files with the VR version.
You must install the SSE version with the FOMOD from the non-VR version and then overwrite all required files with the VR version.
VR version can be found under Miscellaneous files on the FILES tab. Make sure no mods ever overwrite the up-to-date version of PapyrusUtil with an outdated version!
Version 1.1.0 does not work with VR (despite claimed compatibility), but leaving here in the event an update is released.
The VR version of this mod has one major known bug in that all in-game subtitles will be enabled at all times. If you do not want subtitles, you should not install this, but will not be able to install any other mods which require this for unvoiced dialog.
SKSE plugin. VRIK will display the player character's body in SkyrimVR and animate it to match your movements. Also has additional features.
SKSE plugin. Hand/weapon collision, weapon two-handing, realistic object grabbing, and gravity gloves-style mechanics for Skyrim VR.
SKSE plugin. Characters interact with physics and can be grabbed, melee hit detection is physically accurate, and much more.
SKSE plugin. Elevate the CPU Priority of the game process. Increase FPS and Prevent stutters caused by other processes.
SKSE plugin. Generates crash logs which are vital in helping to determine the root cause of any crash(es).
SKSE plugin. Speeds up game start by storing INI files in memory instead of opening, parsing and closing the file each time some value from it is needed. Not available for all versions of Skyrim. This mod will have more of an effect on larger load orders.
🗺️User Interface: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🔗SkyUI VR
- 🔗RaceMenu
- VR users must perform the following:
- 📥Download the latest (Anniversary Edition) version from the Main files section of the FILES tab using the Manual download button.
- NOTE – This is because we need to remove some files from this archive before installing. This will NOT download into your mod manager.
- 📦Extract the files from this download to a temporary folder.
- Open the temporary folder and 🗑️Delete the 📁SKSE folder (which contains the 📄skee64.dll and 📄skee64.ini files). This will ensure we don't have any mod manager warnings when installing it for Skyrim VR since those are the SSE/AE plugins.
- 🗜️Rezip the remaining files with the name RaceMenu Latest Main files.zip or similar, and 👆Drag into your mod manager.
- 🛠️Install and ✅Enable the mod
- Next, 📥Download, 🛠️Install, and ✅Enable 🔗RacemenuVR (the VR version). There should be no file conflicts with this mod.
- ✔️You are done!
- 🔗Spell Wheel VR
- 🔗Clear HUD VR
- 🔗moreHUD VR
- 🔗moreHUD Inventory Edition VR
- 🔗Minimal Enemy Healthbar VR OR 🔗Enemy Health Bar With % Number Value
- 🔗VR Menu Mouse Fix
- 🔗Stable Hands - VR Mouse Stabilization mod
- 🔗Quickloot VR
- 🔗Security Overhaul - Lock Variations AND 🔗Security Overhaul - Lock Variations VR
- 🔗Local Map Upgrade VR
- 🔗Dynamic Location Pop-ups VR
- 🔗Subtitles AND 🔗Subtitles VR
- ❓Modern Wait Menu
SKSE plugin. Elegant, PC-friendly interface mod with many advanced features, made for VR. There are other alternatives out there (such as 🔗Dear Diary VR) but SkyUI provides the most compatibility with other mods out of the box.
SKSE plugin. Complete overhaul to the character creation menu including new customization features such as multiple RGBA warpaints, body paints, hand paint, and foot paints. Is required for additional mods which add more character customization options.
Special Notes:
SKSE plugin. Selection wheel mod for Skyrim VR. It allows you to select spells, weapons, shields, and more without going into a menu. Additionally has immersive wrist bars for Health/Magicka/Stamina and survival mods (warmth, hunger, thirst, etc.).
Provides an installer that lets you hide certain HUD elements for Skyrim VR based on your personal preference. Great for immersion, and also works well when used with Spell Wheel VR (above) since all meters are shown on your wrists.
SKSE plugin. Adds more information to the HUD about the currently targeted object. Such as ingredients, weapon effects, potions, read books, v/w, enemy level, etc.
SKSE plugin. This mod brings some features from moreHUD into the inventory menu. From your inventory you can now see if enchantments are known by the player and other features. Also increases the Item Card size for mods that have long effect descriptions.
Both of these mods modify enemy healthbars to be more immersive in VR. Choose only one. Review each for your desired preference. My personal favorite is the latter mod's Enemy Healthbar With Percentage v2.0 - Dot Rainbow option. If using this option, you may wish to disable Enemy Level and/or Soul Level from the moreHUD VR MCM menu.
SKSE plugin. Enables mouse for SkyUI-VR. You can use your controllers to control the cursor like a smart tv remote.
SKSE plugin. Further improves functionality of VR Menu Mouse Fix (above, which it requires), making it feel more precise and less of a headache to use.
SKSE plugin. Adds a looting menu similar to the one present in Fallout 4 and Starfield. This is a fork of QuickLoot EE. A new version of QuickLoot IE is coming soon (™) which will have VR support, so you may wish to wait for that version.
SKSE plugin. Replaces overused lock models with unique lock variants. Check the description page under the Related Mods section for a list of other mods which cover additional locks. You must install the SSE v1.5.97 version with the FOMOD from the non-VR version, then overwrite all required files with the VR version.
SKSE plugin. An SKSE plugin to overhaul the local maps. Placing custom markers in interiors, color keeping the fog of war, and some other fixes and improvements. Customizable.
SKSE plugin. Display location name with music jingle when entering already discovered locations.
SKSE plugin. Adds support for showing multiple subtitles at the same time (up to 4 at a time). You must grab the non-VR version and then overwrite all required files with the VR version.
Complete overhaul and redesign of Skyrims Wait & Rest Menu inspired by modern UI elements in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3.This mod should be used with Updated SSE files + my VR Strings fix mod, otherwise some variables may be unresolved (text will show $TES4_WAIT, etc.). Additionally, while this mod does work, it may not be fully stable with Skyrim VR due to Scaleform Translation Plus Plus VR being older than the SSE version. Since this mod is safe to remove at any time, if you crash, just disable it.
🖐️VR Immersion: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🔗Simple Realistic Archery VR
- 🔗Seamless Arrow Nocking VR
- 🔗Immersive Crossbow Reload VR
- 🔗Sighted Crossbows VR
- 🔗Creation Club Crossbow Scopes
- 🔗Simple Iron Sights for Sighted Crossbows VR
- 🔗Physical Torch Lighting - VR
- 🔗Interactive Activators VR
- 🔗VR Equip
- 🔗Navigate VR - Equipable Dynamic Compass and Maps
- 🔗Weapon Throw VR
- 🔗Vampire Body for VR
- 🔗Werewolf Body for VR
- 🔗Gift by Hand VR
- 🔗Be Seated Skyrim VR Edition
- 🔗Magic Improvements for Skyrim VR
- 🔗Immersive Tree Chopping VR
- 🔗Realistic Mining for VR AND 🔗VR Refit - Mine Chop and Drop
- ❓No Stagger Mod
- 🔗Spell Auto-Aim VR
- 🔗Interactive Waters - VR
Automatically unequips your arrows after shooting them, then reequips the arrow after pressing the trigger over your shoulder.
SKSE plugin. To be used in conjunction with Simple Realistic Archery VR (above, which it requires). This mod skips the extra button press required after pulling an arrow from the quiver to nock and shoot. Now, just keep the trigger held after grabbing the arrow, then release it once nocked to fire.
SKSE plugin. Makes Crossbow reloading manual in VR. You grab the bolt from your lower back and put it on the crossbow and then pull the lever to reload it.
Crossbow and Dwarven Crossbow now have sights that line up to assist aiming for VR users.
Adds scopes created by Sighted Crossbows VR (above, which it requires) to the newer crossbows added by the Creation Club. This requires Anniversary Upgrade files to have been brought over while preparing updated SSE files in ⬆️section 2.2 (Creation Club content) above.
Changes the sights included in Sighted Crossbows VR (above, which it requires) into more of a simplistic, medieval style. This does not include updated sights for crossbows added by Creation Club Crossbow Scopes (above).
With this mod, players can dynamically interact with (and light) their torch with fire spells and fire sources around the world.
SKSE plugin. Interactive Pullchains, Levers, Pullbars, Buttons, Valves, Pillars, Puzzle Door Rings and Keyholes, Door Deadbolts, Coffin Braziers and more for Skyrim VR. Use your VR hands to truly handle and activate instead of pointing and pressing a button. This is the missing piece to make Skyrim VR an actual VR game.
Equip armour without menus! Just pick it up and drop on your VRIK body!
SKSE plugin. This mod brings immersive navigation to VR with a functional compass, and equipable maps that may be holstered. Optionally, also grab 🔗Map Markers for NavigateVR to add quest markers to the map.
SKSE plugin. Allows you to throw your equipped weapons in VR by holding a button, swinging your hand, and releasing it.
A body for Vampire Lords (or Werebats) in VR! Also enables compatibility of your installed modded Vampire Lord textures for use in 1st person!
A body for werewolves(or werebears) in VR! Also enables compatibility of your installed modded werewolf/werebear textures for use in 1st person!
Physically grasp your follower to seamlessly transfer a weapon, armor, potion or other item into their inventory, bypassing dialogue/menu.
Swap from standing room scale play to seated play when the player uses furniture such as chairs, stools or benches. Other features as well. Check installation notes!
SKSE plugin. Vastly improved dual casting, smoother spell aiming, spell effect size scales based on magicka percentage, and additional options for aiming spells in VR.
Allows chopping of trees to gain wood.
Implements manual mining and wood chopping methods for VR users. Must use both mods for full support. Realistic Mining for VR has a version with USSEP and without.
This mod replaces vanilla files and plugin records so, based on reports, likely does NOT work with updated SSE masters, but should still work for players using base 1.4.15 files. This mod makes your character unstaggerable which is important in VR as staggering was very poorly handled in this version by Bethesda. Stagger in VR is annoying, confusing and in general makes melee playstyles worse.
SKSE plugin. Make spells auto aim in Skyrim VR. Works for Beam, Missile, and Flamethrower type aimed spells.
SKSE plugin. Brings true hand-driven water physics to Skyrim VR. Your VR controllers now generate realistic ripples, wakes, and splashes that dynamically react to controller speed, hand direction, depth of movement, impact force, and equipped spells.
🧱Models / Textures: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🔗Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM
A massive project to greatly improve the appearance of countless static 3D models in Skyrim. This is an essential base mod for every mod list, so allow other mods to overwrite its files, as needed.
🧙Immersion / Gameplay: (↕️Expand for details)
- Alternate start mods
- 🔗Ralof or Hadvar (alternate start)
- 🔗Alternate Perspective - Alternate Start
- 🔗Alternate Start - Live Another Life
- 🔗Realm of Lorkhan - Freeform Alternate Start
- 🔗Skyrim Unbound Reborn (Alternate Start)
- 🔗Prisoner Cart Opening Fix SE and AE
- 🔗Experience
- 🔗Sprint Jump VR
- 🔗Horses Simply Turn Better
- 🔗VR Perk Extender
- 🔗Rally's Candlelight and Magelight Fix SE - VR
- 🔗Death Drop Overhaul
- 🔗Ricochet - Arrow Physics Framework
- 🔗Next-Gen Decapitations
- 🔗Dragons Fall Down - Immersive Airborne Death OR 🔗Dragons (Actually) Fall Down
- 🔗No Spinning Death Animation SE
If you're tired of replaying the intro sequence each time you start a new game, or simply want a fresh experience, alternate start mods can provide that. Those most widely used have been listed below.
Skip the vanilla start and be directly prompted to choose whether to follow Ralof or Hadvar, after which you will enter Helgen Keep with your selected NPC.
Experience Helgen's Destruction from the viewpoint of a Helgen citizen. Download the Classic Start optional file to skip background selection and automatically choose this default start. Be sure to also download the 🔗Alternate Perspective - Voiced Addon to fully voice all NPCs in this mod. When using this, 🔗Fuz Ro D-oh for Skyrim VR is no longer required (though you can still download it if you need it for other mods).
Provides an alternative means to start the game for those who do not wish to go through the lengthy intro sequence at Helgen. Requires updated SSE files to use as it relies on the free CC content plugins.
Starts the player in an alternate realm, rather than the default execution scene opening.
An alternate start mod with a wide range of options, including an ability to play as a non-Dragonborn character. For Skyrim VR, this mod has additional requirements, which are outlined on the mod description page.
If you prefer the vanilla opening sequence, or plan to otherwise select this sequence from one of the mods above, this mod fixes the prisoner cart opening scene from chaotically flipping and bouncing around all over the place when lots of mods are loaded. Check optional files for patches (likely SMIM for most users). For Skyrim VR, this version works fine (don't worry about the SE / AE portion of the mod name). Grab 🔗Smooth Carriage Ride VR as well to help smooth out the ride in VR.
SKSE plugin. Level up through quests and exploration - skills no longer affect your character level. This dramatically changes how playing Skyrim feels. While there is a VR version, there do not appear to be any patches for SkyUI VR or Dear Diary VR. This means your skill progress on the stats (perk) page may not properly update and instead show as a full orange bar at all times. This is a visual bug only..
SKSE plugin. Allows jumping while sprinting.
Makes horses turn much better.
SKSE plugin. Vanilla VR Skyrim does not allow more than 18 perks in a single tree. Having more perks would cause an instant CTD. This mod extends the number of available perks to 72, enabling the use of many perk overhauls on the nexus.
Fix for the Candlelight Spell and Magelight Spell in VR (and SSE). The Candlelight Spell is pretty much unusable in VR, because the light is floating too close to your face. It's dazzling and sort of blocks your sight. This mod fixes that. Magelight spell brightness is also reduced.
SKSE plugin. This mod completely reworks how equipment behaves on death. Weapons and shields drop naturally with momentum, stay sheathed when not drawn, and interact seamlessly with the environment.
SKSE plugin. This framework enables realistic arrow and bolt ricochets, with fracture and impact systems, automatic retrieval, and global modifiers (speed, gravity, arrows on the ground or in bodies and more).
SKSE plugin. Fixes all known decapitation-related crashes, including those caused by RaceMenu overlays or NPC appearance overhauls. It also adds features like helmet ejection, customizable head spin effects and many more.
Both of these mods make it so that dragons that die while airborne immediately ragdoll and plummet to their deaths instead of first landing. Choose only one. The latter claims to properly use gravity to calculate momentum when falling, which also ensures they don't get stuck floating if killed when hovering. Pair with 🔗Dragon Ragdoll Sounds so that they make a sound when crashing into the ground.
This will simply remove the spinning around dance animation that they do before dying. They will now just ragdoll when killed. Works for kills and dying from a high fall. It will not affect killmoves.
🍺Quality of Life: (↕️Expand for details)
- 🔗No Silly Physics Damage - Carts Pots Bones etc
- 🔗Instant Equip VR
- 🔗Stop Trigger Unsheathing For VR
You will no longer lose HP when walking on dynamic objects such as bones or when walking towards a cart.
SKSE plugin. Skip weapon drawing and sheathing animations. You no longer have to sit there waiting for your weapon to appear in your hand. This mod is especially nice in conjunction with VRIK's holster system.
SKSE plugin. Makes it so that pressing the triggers while sheathed does not cause you to unsheathe / draw your weapons or spells (you must hit your unsheathe button to do so).
🐛Bug Fixes: (↕️Expand for details)
- Large script / bug fix compilations
- 🔗Ultimate Optimized Scripts Compilation (UOSC)
- 🔶Vortex users - You will need to grab either of the SKSE-friendly versions listed (depending on whether or not you use USSEP) because Vortex does not like when other mods attempt to overwrite SKSE files (in this case, 📄ObjectReference.pex).
- 🔷MO2 users - Grab one of the first two main files listed (depending on whether or not you use USSEP). Do not worry about SKSE-friendly versions as MO2 does not have this issue.
- 🔗Navigator - Navmesh Fixes
- 🔗Unofficial Skyrim Modder's Patch (USMP)
- 🔗Unofficial Skyrim Modders Patch - USMP - Patch Emporium
- Load order for the above should be as follows:
- Base game masters
- CC content
- Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch (USSEP)
- Unofficial Skyrim Creation Club Content Patches (USCCCP)
- Ultimate Optimized Scripts Compilation (UOSC)
- Navigator - Navmesh Fixes
- Unofficial Skyrim Modder's Patch (USMP)
- All other 📄.esm files
- All other 📄.esp and 📄.esl files
- Patches (including USMP patches)
- 🔗Poached Bugs VR
- 🔗Papyrus Tweaks NG
- 🔗Increase Actor Limit for VR
- 🔗Modern Brawl Bug Fix
- 🔗Dual Casting Fix VR
- 🔗Simple edge glow fixes - VR
- 🔗Controller Fix VR
- 🔗Stagger Effect Fix
- 🔗World Encounter Hostility Fix
- 🔗NPC Stuck in Bleedout fix
- 🔗Quest Journal Limit Bug Fixer - Recover Disappeared Quests
- 🔗NPC AI Process Position Fix - NG
- If using Alternate Perspective, DO NOT enable this mod until after the intro sequence when Alduin attacks to prevent crashing during the autosave event.
- Disable the Save on Rest option in the main gameplay settings to prevent crashing.
- 🔗High Gate Ruins Puzzle Reset Fix
- 🔗College of Winterhold Quest Start Fixes
- 🔗King Olaf's Fire Festival Not Ending Fix
- 🔗Neloth's Experimental Subject Quest Fix
- ❓Skyrim VR USSEP Dwarven Ballista missing texture fix
- 🔗Stealth Detection Fixes
- 🔗Inertia (Floating Gear Fix)
- 🔗Dragonactorscript infinite loop fix
- 🔗FUS RO DON'T - PushActorAway Crash Prevention Script Tweak
- 🔗Alduin Bane Fix
- 🔗Death Idle Fix
- 🔗Horse Save Load Fix
- 🔗LeveledList Crash Fix VR
- 🔗Motionless Rocks Killing People Fix
- 🔗Proving Honor Companions Quest Progression Fix
- 🔗Quest Fixes
- 🔗Skyrim Cell load Freeze fix NG
- 🔗Zero Bounty Hostility Fix
- 🔗Save Unbaker
- 🔗Recursion Monitor
- 🔗Animated Static Reload Fix - NG
The following mods cover a large majority of script and bug fixes for Skyrim and are recommended.
A compilation of scripts which aims to incorporate optimizations and fixes from various other script mods on Nexus with open permissions. Fully includes all scripts from 🔗Vanilla Script (micro)Optimizations and 🔗Vanilla Scripting Enhancements, so no need to download these separately unless you do not want UOSC.
A few navmesh improvements. FOMOD contains compatibility patches for other mods.
A large, community compilation of fixes for bugs, inconsistencies, and errors. Highly recommended. The mods compiled in this collection include some of the most popular bug/consistency fix and script optimization mods on the Nexus in a single package. Grab the current main file. This mod fully includes 🔗Scripts Carefully Reworked Optimized and Tactfully Enhanced (SCROTE), so it does not need to be downloaded separately.
Patches for some mods to incorporate USMP fixes into them. Run the FOMOD to select all applicable mods to patch. This mod is optional. If you don't use this, any mods that overwrite USMP files or scripts simply revert to their original, unfixed versions.
Special Notes:
SKSE plugin. A collection of engine bug fixes and patches.
SKSE plugin. Collection of fixes, tweaks and performance improvements for Skyrim's script engine. 100% configurable. Install/Uninstall anytime. It is recommended to NOT set bSpeedUpNativeCalls = true in the 📄.ini file as many reported bugs with this mod are tied to this setting.
SKSE plugin. Fixes the issue of floating NPCs caused by hitting the arbitrary limit of 128 hardcoded into the exe. This version does not appear to fix all issues as the SSE/AE version (such as lip sync).
The Modern Brawl Bug Fix is the ultimate solution to brawls that break instantly or turn into real fights. Included in UOSC, so skip if you've installed that.
SKSE plugin. Fixes a vanilla bug which causes the game to treat dual cast spells as if they were single cast.
Removes all the unwanted shaders that don't work in VR and ruin immersion in VR, whilst keeping everything you would want.
SKSE plugin. Fixes controller doubling or appearing held by hand in game bugs properly.
SKSE plugin. Fixes an engine bug with magic effects that cause targets to stagger in the wrong direction.
SKSE plugin (scrolls version only). Prevent vanilla world encounter NPCs from turning hostile when you cast non-hostile spells.
Sometimes NPCs get stuck in bleedout forever with full health. This fixes that.
An utility to bring back quests that disappeared due to the quest journal limit bug.
SKSE plugin. Fixes a bug where NPCs positions don't update properly after you wait, sleep, or fast travel for more than an hour. NPCs now move to where they're supposed to instead of awkwardly staying put or crowding doors.
Special Notes:
Fixes High Gate Ruins Puzzle not resetting properly, blocking off half the dungeon on subsequent visits.
Fixes bugs where some College of Winterhold quests refuse to start.
Retroactively fixes The Burning of King Olaf Fire Festival being stuck. Included in UOSC, so skip if you've installed that.
Fixes Neloth's Experimental Subject Quest (DLC2TTR4a) getting stuck.
THIS MOD SHOULD NO LONGER BE REQUIRED. I haven't tested this yet, but I believe this only applies if manually patching Skyrim VR to use USSEP version 4.2.2, which this guide no longer uses. Using updated SSE masters or USSEP version 4.2.5b (the only options this guide now recommends) shouldn't require this fix. Leaving here until I can verify this, but certainly download and install if the Dwarven Ballistas from Dragonborn appear gray and textureless.
Fixes the player instantly being detected after a stealth kill and other detection issues.
SKSE plugin. Inertia fixes a bug where NPC equipment freezes in the air after death. The mod allows for realistic item falls and prevents NPCs from freezing in awkward poses. Compatible with all NPCs and creatures.
If a dragon dies and you never get close enough to its corpse to absorb its soul, the script for that dragon will be stuck in your save forever, polling every second. This mod fixes that. Included in UOSC, so skip if you've installed that.
If the game tries to throw an NPC with PushActorAway, but the NPC hasn't fully loaded in yet, the game will crash. This mod fixes that.
Are you still bothered by the "Alduin's Bane" bug? This mod fixes that.
SKSE plugin. Fixes a bug where dead NPCs may appear standing or tilted in an idle pose instead of ragdolling after a loading screen.
Fix horse flying into the sky when loading save.
SKSE plugin. Simple SKSE mod that prevents AddForm from adding forms to leveled lists with 255 items, preventing crashes.
Fixes already fallen motionless rocks from falling rock traps killing NPCs that bump into them.
Makes sure that Vilkas will greet you when you return with the Fragment of Wuuthrad, even if you didn't enter Whiterun through the main gate, and allows you to continue the Companions questline normally.
Various quest fixes. Bleak Falls Barrow, Battle for Whiterun, The Blessings of Nature, Cidhna Mine, Served Cold, Flight or Fight.
This lightweight patch targets a specific deadlock in Skyrim that can cause the game to freeze.
Clears hostility that remains even after you pay bounty or kill witnesses. Works on vanilla holds only.
SKSE plugin. Makes the game always load certain records from plugins instead of save, such as NPC weight and persistent ref position.
SKSE plugin. Detects broken papyrus scripts stuck in recursion and prevents huge framerate lag.
SKSE plugin. Fixes a bug where static object's loop animations are not re-activated after loading a saved game. This version has been updated with support for SSE, AE, and VR in one DLL.
¶ 5.3. Additional setup and enhancements
This section contains a list of my supplemental guides and resources to help you complete your setup. These cover important Skyrim modding concepts to assist with mod selections, installation of additional foundational mods, as well as instructions for configuring and using mods and tools with complex requirements or processes (↕️Expand the 📖Continue reading block).
📖Continue Reading: (↕️Expand for details)
¶ 5.3.1. Key concepts and considerations
This guide provides an overview of technical concepts used in Skyrim modding to help you decide what's right for your load order. This includes features and limitations of visual overhauls like 💎ENB, 🔆Community Shaders, and 🌈Reshade, as well as modern additions like parallax, PBR, and seasons. For image quality and performance, the guide also covers technologies like anti-aliasing, upscaling, and frame generation that can now be integrated into Skyrim. See link below for more information. Installation is covered in ⬇️section 5.3.2.
- 🚧Skyrim Modding Concepts (coming soon!)
¶ 5.3.2. Environment, visuals, and performance
This guide focuses on the installation of 💎ENB, 🔆Community Shaders, and 🌈Reshade. Since these visual overhauls are built around specific weather mods, I've listed and compared several popular options along with compatible presets to help you decide which setup to go with. To help balance the performance cost of these visuals, I've also included instructions for installing upscaling and frame generation mods. See link below for more information.
- 🚧Graphical and Performance Mod Setup (coming soon!)
¶ 5.3.3. Cleaning Skyrim game files
This guide covers the standard procedure for cleaning game files, including both vanilla master files and user-submitted mods. This process should be performed as needed when newly installed mods indicate cleaning is required. If you plan on using DynDOLOD, you should also clean Skyrim game masters. See link below for more information.
¶ 5.3.4. Generating grass precache
These guides will provide instructions on how to generate grass precache using 🔗No Grass in Objects. Outside of the standalone performance benefits, it is a mandatory prerequisite if you wish to generate grass LOD with DynDOLOD. There are guides for both seasons and non-seasons users. See links below for more information.
¶ 5.3.5. Generating Level of Detail (LOD)
This guide covers the process of generating Level of Detail (LOD) for terrain, objects, trees, and grass using xLODGen and DynDOLOD. This ensures that distant landscapes and other objects accurately reflect the mods in your load order, eliminating the pop-in which occurs when they transition into loaded cells. See the links below for more information.
- 🚧How to Generate Level of Detail (LOD) (coming soon!)
¶ 6. Support and resources
Below you will find resources for technical support, links to my other modding guides, and the revision history for this document.
¶ 6.1. Troubleshooting and community
Maintaining a heavily modded game requires knowing where to find help and how to diagnose issues. Below is a list of resources for getting support and troubleshooting your installation.
- Guide-specific questions – If you have questions directly relating to the steps in this guide, please post them in the Comments Section at the bottom of the page (either Modding.wiki or Nexus—I monitor both). I will do my best to assist you or direct you to the appropriate resource.
- Individual mod issues – If you encounter a problem with a specific mod or tool mentioned here, before posting in this guide's comments, you may want to visit the specific mod page on Nexus. Reviewing the BUGS and POSTS tabs is often the fastest way to find known issues and solutions.
- Search engines – For support outside of the entries covered above, search engines are the best option for finding answers across various sites.
- Community support – Other communities, such as Reddit (🔗r/skyrimmods or 🔗r/skyrimvr) or the 🔗Steam Skyrim discussion boards are great places to post questions or seek advice on specific modding issues you've encountered.
- AI large language models (LLMs) – AI chatbots can be a helpful resource for quick technical questions or explaining concepts, however, these may not always be 100% accurate or up-to-date with the latest modding standards.
- Diagnosing crash logs – If you experience game crashes, 🔗Phostwood's Skyrim Crash Log Analyzer is an invaluable tool for interpreting logs and helping to identify the root cause.
- Further reading – I have created a separate reference on 🔗Load Order Rules, Conflicts, and Crash Prevention which goes into more detail regarding engine mechanics. I recommend reviewing this to better understand how to prevent, identify, and resolve conflicts throughout your playthrough.
¶ 6.2. Additional Guides
See 🔗my guides page on Nexus for other helpful Skyrim modding guides.
¶ 6.3. Final words
Lastly, be sure to have fun! For many, modding Skyrim is the game, and playing is secondary. Whether you spend your time in-game or just building the perfect load order, there is no wrong way to go about it—as long as you're enjoying yourself.
As a final note, remember that countless hours have been put into creating the mods you are using. Taking a moment to 👍ENDORSE those mods (or guides—wink wink) is a great way to show appreciation for the author's work. You can do this easily within your mod manager for any installed mod:
- 🔶Vortex users – Click the 👍Thumbs Up icon in your mod list.
- 🔷MO2 users – Right-click a mod (or multiple mods) and select Endorse.
¶ 6.4. Changelog
See below for a full revision history of this guide (↕️Expand the 🗒️Full Changelog block).
🗒️Full Changelog: (↕️Expand for details)
- Version 2.0.0 (04/15/2026)
- Mirror created on Modding.wiki
- Major formatting changes – This includes inclusion of emojis, new callouts, section renaming and restructuring, and removal of invalid or extraneous information
- Major updates to section 1 (Install Skyrim VR) – Updates include addition of new virtual drive and reinstall options for Steam environment preparation, steps to generate initial configurations, and other minor updates
- Major updates to section 2 (Prepare SSE game files) – Updates include improved overall step flow and additional options for obtaining updated SSE master files and Creation Club content (including from GOG)
- Major updates to section 3 (Complete initial setup) – Updates include additional sections for mod manager fundamentals, Bethinini Pie, preventing interior loading crashes, pagefile setup, and other minor updates
- Added new section 5 (Next steps) – This section includes version and compatibility rules, a massively updated recommended mods list, and links to my other guides with relevant additional setup topics
- Added new Troubleshooting and community section in section 6 (Support and Resources)
- Moved Skyrim VR ESL Support installation from its former dedicated section 3.3 into former section 3.2 (Install core mods), now renumbered to 3.3
- Added Skyrim VR Refocused to section 3.3 (Install core mods)
- Added steps for installing updated SSE string files, disabling the in-game survival mode prompt, and removing survival text from item cards to section 3.4 (Additional steps for prepared SSE files)
- Updated main CC content section to allow skipping and removed former section 3.5.4 (do not manage) entirely
- Updated Unofficial Creation Club Content Patches (USCCCP) section – There are no longer multiple options for this as the FOMOD installer has been officially restored
- Added .NET 6 Desktop Runtime to external dependencies
- Added 📖Continue reading blocks to collapse some sections which contain supplemental reading instead of steps
- Version 1.17.9 (01/28/2025)
- 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 1.13.3 (04/27/2024)
- Fixed section 3.5.1.2 subtext which affected Nexus article only
- Version 1.10.6 (04/24/2024)
- 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
- 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
- Rewrote Creation Club content sections to be more streamlined and included additional content picker options
- Updated Vortex images
- Other minor corrections and formatting changes
- Version 1.9.3 (04/13/2024)
- Updated all sections referencing CC Survival Mode to provide more accurate compatibility information and better recommendations
- Updated USSEP section to reflect CC Survival Mode compatibility updates
- Added (optional) section for removing Anniversary Upgrade source files
- Other minor corrections and formatting changes
- Version 1.6.5 (04/04/2024)
- Update section 3.6.1.1 since xEdit script was removed from Nexus / the USSEP team
- Slightly increased default font size for article readability
- Other minor corrections and formatting changes
- Added changelog
- Version 1.3 (03/14/2024)
- Updated Steam Console section for clarity
- Version 1.2 (03/13/2024)
- Minor corrections and formatting changes
- Version 1.0 (03/10/2024)
- Initial release
Please ✍️leave a comment with any issues or suggestions!