The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition

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grimus Oct 29, 2016 @ 2:16pm
2
[Retired thread] Resetting Skyrim SE to Vanilla or A Clean Reinstall
Resetting Skyrim SE to Vanilla (for game versions earlier than 1.5.97)

For versions 1.5.97 and later see:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2743619856&insideModal=0

Disable, delete and unsubscribe all mods from the SkyrimSE menu or mod manager.

Goto Steam\Steamapps\Common\Skyrim Special Edition folder.

The main Skyrim Special Edition folder should only contain: ( you may not see some or all of the file extensions depending on your folder settings.)
_CommonRedist (folder) *
Data (folder)
Skyrim (folder)
The Skyrim folder, contains only a SkyrimPrefs.ini file.
binkw32.dll
high.ini
installscript.vdf
libScePad.dll
low.ini
medium.ini
Skyrim_Default.ini
SkyrimSE.exe
SkyrimSELauncher.exe
steam_api64.dll
ultra.ini
* NOTE: Since the initial release of SSE Steam has relocated the folder contents to
Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Steamworks Shared
(Or from the LIBRARY page, under TOOLS, as Steamworks Common Redistributables.)


The Skyrim Special Edition\Data folder should only contain:
Video (folder)
The Video folder should only contain the BGS_Logo.bik file.
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
Update.esm
* Note: The language should be the language of your game's download..

Next goto your Users\(user name)\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition folder and copy it to your desktop or somewhere safe. Delete all the files and folder(s) in the
Users\(user name)\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition folder. The new .ini files will be created during the game's hardware detection and launch process. The old game saves may not work with a vanilla game because of the missing mods. (Which is why you backed up this folder as well as having a backup of your .ini files, all just in case.)

Goto Steam's LIbrary view, right click on the game. Select Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Cache. Let the verification process run. This process will also restore any original game files/folders you may have accidently deleted. When starting the game you can ignore the "1 file missing ..." message. The missing file will be a new graphics configuration file that is created when next starting SkyrimSE.

Start SkyrimSE, it will detect your video hardware and will suggest your recommended graphic card settings.

Select "Play" and your game is now vanilla.

or A Clean Reinstall (for game versions earlier than 1.5.97)

For versions 1.5.97 and later see:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2743619856&insideModal=0

- copy'n'paste this portion of the post to notepad so you can referance it after exiting Steam.
- unsubscribe from and delete all Nexus and "other" mods from the game.
- delete Local Content via Steam by right clicking on game from Steam Library.
- exit Steam.
- delete all files in Steam\Steamapps\Common\Skyrim Special Edition folder.
- delete all files in Users\(user name)\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition folder. (copy your Saves folder to desktop, your saves may not work with the new install because of the mods being no longer present.)
- reinstall Skyrim Special Edition from Steam by right clicking on the game icon in your Steam library.
- verify the game cache. ( its safe to ignore the "1 file..." message.)
- test the new game installation with a new character. ( don't add any mods untill after exitting Helgen Cave.)
- if your game is now stable, make a copy of your Skyrim Special Edition folders and paste them to a safe space. That way you won't have to re-download the game next time you need to reinstall it.

Deleting the files in the Skyrim Special Edition folders after uninstalling the game files using the "delete Local Content via Steam" will ensure all the "leftover" files are gone as well. These leftovers can/will cause problems when you reinstall the game and then try to play it.
Last edited by grimus; Nov 12, 2022 @ 1:22pm
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Showing 1-15 of 38 comments
Stahl Dec 9, 2016 @ 8:08am 
Thumbs up! :Karin:
Chibbity Dec 9, 2016 @ 8:12am 
Isn't this just a really long winded way of saying:

Back up your saves, delete all Skyrim local files, then re-install?
you do a lot of modding Chibbity?
Chibbity Dec 9, 2016 @ 9:12am 
Originally posted by Shrapnel:
you do a lot of modding Chibbity?

Yup, especially nudie mods. Love dem' boobies.
Originally posted by Chibbity:
Originally posted by Shrapnel:
you do a lot of modding Chibbity?

Yup, especially nudie mods. Love dem' boobies.
lol this guy...well I'm in the same camp, I wipe everything if/when I need to...but maybe this is for those who need or want a more detailed guide
ifoolb Dec 9, 2016 @ 9:28am 
It won't be that fun reverting back after I tried some mods. I particularly like deadly wenches.
★Kelvy★ Dec 10, 2016 @ 2:55am 
Backing up saves maybe OK if you reinstall exactly what was there before hand, doesn't mean you removed the issue.
Aberwag Jan 14, 2017 @ 10:02am 
Originally posted by Chibbity:
Isn't this just a really long winded way of saying:

Back up your saves, delete all Skyrim local files, then re-install?
Before reinstalling and after deleting local files, delete everything inside the Skyrim SE main folder. That way you can be sure there are no left-overs of the previous install.
Crimson Feb 25, 2017 @ 5:19am 
I do not have the special edition _CommonRedist (folder)
Last edited by Crimson; Feb 25, 2017 @ 5:19am
Originally posted by WillowTheMachine:
I do not have the special edition _CommonRedist (folder)
Actually you do, in the steam library, right click on Skyrim SE, select Properties.
Click on Local files tab, then click on Browse Local Files.
The folder you want is in there.
Crimson Feb 25, 2017 @ 5:39am 
Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:
Originally posted by WillowTheMachine:
I do not have the special edition _CommonRedist (folder)
Actually you do, in the steam library, right click on Skyrim SE, select Properties.
Click on Local files tab, then click on Browse Local Files.
The folder you want is in there.
all i have is the ControlMap_Custom file
Originally posted by WillowTheMachine:
Originally posted by alexander_dougherty:
Actually you do, in the steam library, right click on Skyrim SE, select Properties.
Click on Local files tab, then click on Browse Local Files.
The folder you want is in there.
all i have is the ControlMap_Custom file

You are not doing it via windows are you, because if you look for it via windows you end up going in circles, you need to do it via the properties section of the game in the library.

I know that because I looked for it last week to get rid of it constantly wanting to download the game.
Last edited by alexander_dougherty; Feb 25, 2017 @ 7:43am
JORJ May 9, 2017 @ 1:04pm 
thx
jars Jul 14, 2017 @ 4:04pm 
For some folders It requires permission even though I set it to my permission, so I cant delete the data folder and get a clean install...
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Date Posted: Oct 29, 2016 @ 2:16pm
Posts: 38