[Quick link] Validating master files (02.09.2021)

[Ilja]

Introduction

This information is shared often, but is usually either lacking or misunderstood. I decided to make a quick link out of it and open the process for peoples reading these instructions.

Process should be done, when you suspect that your game master files are damaged and not working correctly. Symptoms vary from missing data, messed up quests and crashing to desktop. Process is quite safe and should only takes few moments.

Step to remove your configuration files (Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini) is usually required only, if you are experiencing crashing, or if you have included tweaks that may have caused instability and/or other problems in your game. Process will create new ones.

Validating master files

• Go to Documents > My Games > Skyrim.
  
• Remove files: Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini

Note your Windows settings may have hidden your file extensions. Thus these files would only appear as text files, named as Skyrim and SkyrimPrefs.

See your Windows "Help" for setting file extensions visible in your Windows version, if they are hidden. It is generally a good idea for players to always see file extensions.

Windows 10: File Explorer > View Tab. Check boxes for File Extensions and Hidden Files are at right in the view that opens on top.

I recommend storing these files temporarily, until new one has been created. You can (and should) safely delete them, once you have confirmed new ones existing in your folders.

• Steam client Library view > Right click the game you intend to validate.
  
• Properties > Local Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files...

• Run the default launcher once, so that game can configure properly. This will create new configuration files, if you had deleted them.

This must be done, even if you are using SKSE and/or Mod Organizer otherwise.
It must also be done even if you did not delete your configuration files. SKSE will be likely to give you an error, if you did not use default launcher to reconfigure your Skyrim.ini.

* 1 file will always fail to validate. It is related to how Steam detects your graphic card configurations and does not have any negative effect to your game.

Steam can't check your graphic card configurations, because they are in use. This is not a problem, because that file will be (sort of) validated during next time you run Skyrim.

* If you have previously cleaned your master files with TES5Edit, then you will have to repeat the process. Steam will detect them as changed files and parse them to match data in it's own servers.

Clearing Steam download cache

If you suspect that your problems are related to Steam itself, do the following.

• Steam client > Steam > Properties > Downloads > Clear Download Cache.
  
• Process will prompt you to sign back in, so keep your password and Steam Guard in hand.

Changes

• 02.09.2021
  - Removed obsolete information of clearing Steam cache. Replaced with clearing Steam Download Cache.
  - Fixed: Steam has changed the process name from "Verify Integrity of game Cache" to "Verify Integrity of Game Files." Thread edited accordingly.
  
• 13.12.2016
  - Fixed: Typo
  
• 29.09.2016
  - Cleaned the text from poor edits and potentially misleading lines.

[cfs111]

Thanks Ilja, great guide as always. Oh, bump.

[Ilja]

You are basically just thanking me for being lazy. I got tired of writing the same thing several times per day. ;)

[wowszer]

Got carpal tunnel syndrome yet?

[Ilja]

Originally posted by wowszer:

Got carpal tunnel syndrome yet?

Have you heard about the game SimCity 4? I played it over 10 years.

That alone should answer to your question. :D

[cfs111]

Originally posted by Ilja:

You are basically just thanking me for being lazy. I got tired of writing the same thing several times per day. ;)

Copy - Paste, Copy - Paste all day long.

[wowszer]

Have you heard about the game SimCity 4? I played it over 10 years.

That alone should answer to your question. :D

I'm getting tingly all over just thinking about it.

[Ilja]

14 shares in last 16 hours. Did I really type this that many times per day, before making a post out of it?

No wonder that my keyboard is getting clunky.

[Chef Mike]

ok so i did it and my SKSE crashed even after i went to the main menu on the default launcher

[TheFailBot]

Originally posted by Xemnes:

ok so i did it and my SKSE crashed even after i went to the main menu on the default launcher

yea my SKSE is kinda messed up it will let it launch but nothing else...

[Ilja]

Originally posted by TheFailBot:

Originally posted by Xemnes:

ok so i did it and my SKSE crashed even after i went to the main menu on the default launcher

yea my SKSE is kinda messed up it will let it launch but nothing else...

That shouldn't be related to this method in any way. SKSE does not integrate itself to master files, but acts as a separate launcher for a game. In reverse, validating master files does not affect to SKSE at all.

Steam only checks the content against what it has in it's own server, meaning only official files and nothing else.

[TheFailBot]

Originally posted by Ilja:

Originally posted by TheFailBot:

yea my SKSE is kinda messed up it will let it launch but nothing else...

That shouldn't be related to this method in any way. SKSE does not integrate itself to master files, but acts as a separate launcher for a game. In reverse, validating master files does not affect to SKSE at all.

Steam only checks the content against what it has in it's own server, meaning only official files and nothing else.

ok thankyou :) i just need ot revert back to 8.1 where everything works

[Emergency Tank Hologram]

I have a problem, I think... I installed skyrim today, and there is only SkyrimPrefs.ini in the documents/my games/skyrim folder. There isnt a Skyrim.ini file - that one, if it is the same one, is in the [C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim] folder. I say "if it is the same" cos the ini file is called "Skyrim_dafault.ini" in there.
Should I rename it to Skyrim.ini? And is there a conflict cos its not used to the file name change or something?

(Im just trying to think outside the norm for me. I might be grasping at nothing, but I'd appreciate feedback on this cos Im sick of it not working anymore.)
I've clocked over 900hrs on the game in the past but when I reformatted my drive, obv I lost it all. Now I try it and this happens

[Ilja]

Do not rename or move anything. Game should generate Skyrim.ini file for you, when you run the default launcher once. Game requires it to work.

Doesn't running the launcher create this for you?

[Emergency Tank Hologram]

I run the launcher and where the top option should be Launch or Run game, it says Install. And the graphics and plugins options are greyed out cos assumingly, the game isnt registering the installation as complete. Therefore, since it says "install", then no, I guess the file doesnt get created cos it doesnt register as complete

[Ilja]

Hmm... that is strange.
- Did you try to validate files, as presented? That may fix your installation.
- Are you running game and folders as administrator, so files are allowed to be created?

Edit: Oh, and are you running Windows 10?