Re-installing skyrim se with mods without losing saves

[gregorybates1]

Hello, I am sure this has come up many times, but I am having a hard time finding a definitive source of information for fixing a problem I am having.

I installed a mod (name withheld) and it apparently caused CTD when fast travelling to either whiterun and whiterun stables (where the mod's quest was supposed to start. After reading discussions of the mod, someone mentioned that disabling open cities might help. It did fix the fast traveling ctd to whiterun, but not whiterun stables.

I disabled the mod, then deleted it using vortex, but I still crash when fast travelling to whiterun stables.

Sorry for the long story, but would re-installing skyrim se fix this problem, and how should I proceed given that I have quite a few mods enabled. If I do re-install, do I need to re-install SKSE and will saved games be available?

Thanks in advance for any advice, as I am just not sure what to do here.

[Mechanical]

Disable auto saves, do not use auto save nor quick saves. You can search online about why and how they are related to your crashing. A mod called Skyrim SafeSave System Overhaul can let you get similar functionality while using the normal full save system.
Reinstalling Skyrim won't delete your saves. Loading up saves after removing a mod you should follow the uninstall instructions of the mod.
Don't use Vortex, use Mod Organizer 2, then there will be no doubt that your Skyrim install is and will always be fee and clean of any mods installed and removed.

So once more, refer back to the mods uninstall instructions you've uninstalled to make sure it's safe to load them after uninstalling them.

[Vlad 254]

Vortex is not the problem and it's not 2018 anymore a time when Vortex was in Beta.

gregorybates1 first step would always be to go back to a save prior to your issues, a save where you are certain all the mods play nice together and removing any mods that were in fact the problematic mods. See this for detailed info
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/3109142236155416522/

Also, if the above is not an option or does not solve your problem you need to start from square one which also means avoiding saves that may have bad info baked in to the save as well as all files associated with SSE. This means a "Clean Vanilla Reinstall" and there is only one way to attain this state.

Follow this 2 minute video by Michael of GamerPoets. Don't skip a step
https://youtu.be/g67CnHD1wvY

[Kalypso]

Originally posted by Vlad 254:

Vortex is not the problem and it's not 2018 anymore a time when Vortex was in Beta.

gregorybates1 first step would always be to go back to a save prior to your issues, a save where you are certain all the mods play nice together and removing any mods that were in fact the problematic mods. See this for detailed info
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/3109142236155416522/

Also, if the above is not an option or does not solve your problem you need to start from square one which also means avoiding saves that may have bad info baked in to the save as well as all files associated with SSE. This means a "Clean Vanilla Reinstall" and there is only one way to attain this state.

Follow this 2 minute video by Michael of GamerPoets. Don't skip a step
https://youtu.be/g67CnHD1wvY

even when Vortex was in beta, it usually wasn't the issue. NMM i know used to have it's issues i know.

[smr1957]

Your saves would not work unless all of the mods that were present on that save were also installed - and provided that none had ever been removed in the past and play continued. For complete info on this, see:
You CANNOT Remove Mods Mid-Playthrough - http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1520386297681801135/

[Kalypso]

Originally posted by smr1957:

Your saves would not work unless all of the mods that were present on that save were also installed - and provided that none had ever been removed in the past and play continued. For complete info on this, see:
You CANNOT Remove Mods Mid-Playthrough - http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1520386297681801135/

You absolutely can, but SOME mods being removed can lead to an unstable save or corruption. In fact, most mods don't use scripts anymore for this very reason. So they are easier removed without breaking your saves.

[Vlad 254]

Originally posted by gregorybates1:

Thanks in advance for any advice, as I am just not sure what to do here.

I know it seems confusing at first gregory but don't be. While the steps are simple enough the work is in the time it takes.

This is why I posted
"to go back to a save prior to your issues, a save where you are certain all the mods play nice together"

Which means a save that only has the mods you absolutely know are safe. Which in turn means you obviously don't want those "unsafe" mods installed.

For clarification I then gave you a link with this info spelled out in detail:

Troubleshooting Your Load Order
https://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/3109142236155416522

[smr1957]

Originally posted by Kalypso Vantoase:

Originally posted by smr1957:

Your saves would not work unless all of the mods that were present on that save were also installed - and provided that none had ever been removed in the past and play continued. For complete info on this, see:
You CANNOT Remove Mods Mid-Playthrough - http://steamcommunity.com/app/489830/discussions/0/1520386297681801135/

You absolutely can, but SOME mods being removed can lead to an unstable save or corruption. In fact, most mods don't use scripts anymore for this very reason. So they are easier removed without breaking your saves.

READ THE LINKED POST!!!! And scripts are only one thing - many other things are also baked into the save. WHICH YOU WOULD KNOW IF YOU READ THE POST - AND NOT JUST THE TITLE!!! Especially if you had read the section titled - "WHAT GETS BAKED INTO A SAVE"

[Lady Aeleanor]

Originally posted by Mechanical:

Don't use Vortex, use Mod Organizer 2, then there will be no doubt that your Skyrim install is and will always be fee and clean of any mods installed and removed.

Don't tell people not to use a particular mod manager. Both mod managers work perfectly fine and it's simply a matter of preference. Vortex works well as many users on here will attest.

[smr1957]

My apologies, Gregory, for going off-topic for a moment, but we get this often where people who don't fully understand something make statements that can be misleading or just plain incorrect, and it is important that they be responded to so others do not learn and apply wrong concepts. Which is why we also refer people to the pinned topic Helpful Links and References, Section 6, Miscellaneous - Reliable Forum Regulars, for a list and explanation.

[Kalypso]

Originally posted by smr1957:

Originally posted by Kalypso Vantoase:

You absolutely can, but SOME mods being removed can lead to an unstable save or corruption. In fact, most mods don't use scripts anymore for this very reason. So they are easier removed without breaking your saves.

READ THE LINKED POST!!!! And scripts are only one thing - many other things are also baked into the save. WHICH YOU WOULD KNOW IF YOU READ THE POST - AND NOT JUST THE TITLE!!! Especially if you had read the section titled - "WHAT GETS BAKED INTO A SAVE"

I've probably been modding longer than you. What you actually said was false no matter what your link said. Clothing, weapons, spells, 'most' overhauls, actually most mods in-general are safe to remove mid-playthrough. You just have to use your head in what can and can't be removed. Don't remove script mods mid-playthrough, Ordinator (perk mod) likely would have issues as well. If removing Ordinator doesn't make you crash outright when opening perks or entering combat, you would be missing perk points either way. Modding is generally about trial and error, and giving such a broad 'definitive' statement is just dumb.

[Kalypso]

My suggestion is to make a backup save when you are adding and removing mods. if you have issues, remove the mods causing the issues and go back to your backup. Most of us had to learn through trial and error. There is no definitive rules for modding as it's all gonna be dependent on your modlist. Some people may never have to worry about breaking their saves. while others have to worry with every install and removal.

[lizrdfishr]

Originally posted by Kalypso Vantoase:

Originally posted by smr1957:

READ THE LINKED POST!!!! And scripts are only one thing - many other things are also baked into the save. WHICH YOU WOULD KNOW IF YOU READ THE POST - AND NOT JUST THE TITLE!!! Especially if you had read the section titled - "WHAT GETS BAKED INTO A SAVE"

I've probably been modding longer than you. What you actually said was false no matter what your link said. Clothing, weapons, spells, 'most' overhauls, actually most mods in-general are safe to remove mid-playthrough. You just have to use your head in what can and can't be removed. Don't remove script mods mid-playthrough, Ordinator (perk mod) likely would have issues as well. If removing Ordinator doesn't make you crash outright when opening perks or entering combat, you would be missing perk points either way. Modding is generally about trial and error, and giving such a broad 'definitive' statement is just dumb.

EGAD this is horrible advice.

Dear Kalypso, assuming OP is a newbie at modding how can your advice be of any help at all? Please consider the audience and take this kind of stuff over to the Coffee House for debate.

SMR is being simplistic for a reason. The OPs modding skill level here is non-existent.


Dear OP, please listen to Vlad and SMR on this one. Clean Install and do a proper load order. Removing mods mid-game is for very high level experts like Kalypso here and folks who are not invested in a particular playthrough.

Originally posted by Kalypso Vantoase:

My suggestion is to make a backup save when you are adding and removing mods. if you have issues, remove the mods causing the issues and go back to your backup. Most of us had to learn through trial and error. There is no definitive rules for modding as it's all gonna be dependent on your modlist. Some people may never have to worry about breaking their saves. while others have to worry with every install and removal.

This is good advice but in 2021 we have curators and guides.

Vlad probably has the best beginner's guide out there today.

[Lady Aeleanor]

Agree with SMR, Vlad and lizrdfishr. Build your mod list, think it through clearly before you start your game, and stay the course by leaving your mods the way you started the game.