How to download (and handle) previous Skyrim SE/AE versions

[Ruenis]

How to download Skyrim version 1.5.97:

Open the Steam console by pressing Windows key + R, then enter this into the "Run" box: steam://open/console. Then, enter these codes into the box at the bottom one by one (you can do them all one after the other to download them at the same time if you want):

download_depot 489830 489831 7848722008564294070

download_depot 489830 489832 8702665189575304780

download_depot 489830 489833 2289561010626853674

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Or

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To download version 1.6.640:

Open the Steam console by pressing Windows key + R, then enter this into the "Run" box: steam://open/console. Then, enter these codes into the box at the bottom (same options apply):

download_depot 489830 489831 3660787314279169352

download_depot 489830 489832 2756691988703496654

download_depot 489830 489833 5291801952219815735

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Navigate in your Steam installation's folder to "steam/commom/content".

Your data for the codes, in reference to both versions,
"download_depot 489830 489831 7848722008564294070" (1.5.97)
OR
"download_depot 489830 489831 3660787314279169352" (1.6.640)
then
"download_depot 489830 489832 8702665189575304780" (1.5.97)
OR
"download_depot 489830 489832 2756691988703496654" (1.6.640)
then
"download_depot 489830 489833 2289561010626853674"
OR
"download_depot 489830 489833 5291801952219815735"

will be located at folders:

"Steam\steamapps\content\depot_489831",
"Steam\steamapps\content\depot_489832",
and "Steam\steamapps\content\depot_489833",

...respectively.

Note: You CANNOT download BOTH versions at the same time unless you remove one of the downloaded versions' data from the folder(s) it was downloaded to before you proceed to download another version!

Download Mod Organizer 2 (just do it): https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/6194

Create a folder on the hard drive of your choice where you want to keep your Skyrim installation.

Open this menu in Mod Organizer 2: https://i.imgur.com/NuT3toD.png

Navigate to the "Paths" tab here: https://i.imgur.com/JmQ3V3a.png

Change the "Managed Game" setting to direct to "SkyrimSE.exe" where you placed your Skyrim installation: https://i.imgur.com/KPzyPZH.png

Go here to the "Edit" menu to manage your executables: https://i.imgur.com/AeLQsGF.png

Make sure that your "Skyrim Special Edition," "Skyrim Special Edition Launcher," "Creation Kit," and "SKSE" executables are all directing towards the location of their proper executables under where you placed your Skyrim installation that you rooted Mod Organizer 2 towards: https://i.imgur.com/OdR4Kes.png

~

Voila. Your game is ready for any such vanilla or modded play on either version 1.5.97, or 1.6.640.

Always remember that you can check your game version any time by right-clicking your "SkyrimSE.exe" executable and clicking "Properties," then clicking on the "Details" tab: https://i.imgur.com/gHnXFrI.png

[G_Man_Rising]

The advice given near the top may be out of date. I uninstalled the game to get an earlier version but only one file was downloaded.

[Darth Ceveo]

This def works