SKSE64 Installation Guide

This is a simplified installation guide for SKSE64

Introduction

A lot has changed since this guide was first written in 2017, including multiple non-Steam versions of the game, multiple console versions that do not support SKSE at all, an MS game-pass version, with it's own Windows store downloads that is also treated like a console version and does not support SKSE64. Add to that Automated installation through Vortex, and specific game versions that have their own versions of SKSE... Let's just say the waters have become a little muddier since the version 1.6 updates. It's time this simple guide got an update.

What is required.

The only tool required for SKSE64 installation is the downloaded archive. However as mentioned above there are now several available downloads so you'll have to choose the correct version.
The files for SKSE64 are located at SKSE.Silverlock.org

(Note - If you are installing with Vortex, skip ahead to the next section as you will be choosing the correct download version as part of the automated installation prompts from Vortex)
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Look closely at the downloads section and please notice there are 5 downloads to choose from. They are self explanitory, but make sure you choose the correct version.

Current Classic build 1.7.3 is strictly for the LE version of the game. NOT for use with SSE
Current Anniversary Edition build 2.2.3 (game version 1.6.640) is for the current SSE version
Current GOG Anniversary Edition build 2.2.3 (game version 1.6.659) IS for the GOG version
Current Special Edition build 2.0.20 (game version 1.5.97) Only for use if you roll back
Current VR build 2.0.12 (game version 1.4.15) Only for use with the current VR version
Once you have chosen the correct version, click on the "Download 7z File" link to it's right

As a reminder, please note the compatability section...

SKSE does not support the Windows Store/Game Pass release of Skyrim. Windows Store applications are locked down similarly to consoles.
SKSE does not support the Epic Games Store release of Skyrim.

Vortex Installation

We'll begin with Installation Using Vortex, as this is quick and extremely simple.

For a new Skyrim SE installation, or after wiping and reinstalling the game through Steam, you will see a warning message in the top right of your screen telling you SKSE64 is not currently installed.
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Clicking on the "More" button will bring up the information window and prompt you to install the extender. For a Vortex managed installation you will want to click on the button "Open in Vortex"
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That link will bring you directly to the SKSE64 Download page as listed in "what is required" but opened by Vortex for you.
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If you then select the correct version, it will automatically be installed correctly for you. Once updated and installed you will simply need to "deploy" the mod.
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A final caveat... open the "Games" tab again and make sure SKSE64 is selected as a primary tool (Look for the book mark graphic on the top right of the tool) If it does not appear automatically close and re-open Vortex before proceeding with your modding)

MO2 Installation

MO2 Installation of SKSE64 is also very simple, but unfortunately not automatic. You basically need to uncompress the archive, then copy and paste a few files. First navigate to your download folder and extract the archive to a folder using your Preferred archive software. Open the skse64_2_02_03 folder, and then open the second skse64_2_02_03 folder contained inside to get to the files.
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Highlight the Exe, and the .DLL files as indicated, then right click and copy them. Navigate to your SSE game folder typically located at...

X:/Steam/SteamApps/Common/Skyrim Special Edition (Where X: is your game drive)

And right click inside the folder and select "Paste"

Now earlier I mentioned there were two methods of completing this installation. Quick, or Smart.

Allow me to explain the difference. SKSE64 uses custom scripts to inject itself into the game, and perform it's functions. These are numerous loose .PEX files. Very simple to install, it's simply copying and pasting additional files into the game's "scripts" folder. But if you ever wanted to remove SKSE64 for updating or testing, or for a clean re-installation, you would basically need to delete the scripts folder entirely and then validate your game files ... Not the end of the world, but not very smart.

The alternative is to archive the SKSE64 scripts separately, and install them as a "mod" using MO2. (Just like any other manually installed mod) ... I consider this smarter because a single mouse click disables SKSE64, and two clicks can completely remove the scripts permanently.

First here's is the "Quick and Dirty" method ... Not recommended

Navigate to the Scripts folder inside the skse64_2_02_03 folder (\Downloads\skse64_2_02_03\skse64_2_02_03\Data\Scripts)

Please do not confuse this with the actual scripts folder within the games data folder. Inside the scripts folder highlight all of the .PEX files and copy them. Then paste them within the Games scripts folder. (There is no need to copy the Source folder)

Typically located at ... X:/SteamApps/Common/Skyrim Special Edition/Data/scripts.
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And, that's it for the quick, and dirty installation... You're done. Right click on skse64loader.exe in the game folder and select "Send to", and "desktop" to create a local game shortcut.

IMPORTANT! ... You MUST use the skse64loader shortcut to start your game from now on

Smarter scripts installation

Here is the other method, in many ways even simpler than the quick and dirty approach.

Within the skse64_2_02_03 folder, open the data folder and you will see the scripts folder.
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Right click on the scripts folder and create an archive using your preferred software. WinRar, WinZip, and .7Z are all perfectly acceptable. Name or rename the created archive SKSE64-Scripts for ease of recognition.
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Now simply install the archive using MO2's manual installation button, or copy the mod into the download folder for the MO2 instance you're using, and double click on the mod to begin installation. This method works with MO2, or WB. and when it comes time to update, you simply uncheck the present skse64-scripts archive, and select the updated version. No worries about left over files

Again, just like the quick and dirty method, you will need to make a shortcut to the SKSE64loader.EXE file, and use it to start your game from now on. MO2 users will find the loader already recognized by MO2 and a binary shortcut to the loader already created for you. WB users can copy the shortcut to the Apps folder in the MOPY folder to have the SKSE binary available in WB as well.

Alternately you can add the SKSE64Loader.exe file to your Steam library using the Add a Game button on the lower left. Choose "Add a non steam game", navigate to your Skyrim SE game folder and select the SKSE64loader. This will allow you to launch the game from your library and for the Steam overlay to function normally.

It's that simple ... Good Gaming

Final thoughts

Since originally writing this guide, the mod Address Library for SKSE Plugins
https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/32444 by Meh321 has made game updates much less painful, there are versions for the pre-update version 1.5.97. And the "AE" version which is actually mis-named as it works for all 1.6 versions, not just versions including AE DLC download

I'll try to keep this a little more current, but hopefully this will remain valid for quite some time. Good gaming

Change Log

10/November/2017 Initial release
28/Aprill/2018 Added launch from Library option
Thank you H@X for a good tip

Updated warning, and relabeled the extender as a beta release

5/27/2020 Removed Beta warning section from the opening and updated version number to 2.0.17

1/30/2021 Added note for Vortex users. I should update the guide to include Vortex instructions.
1/30/2021 Updated final thoughts

12/18/2022... Complete update to current versions

[Avrie]

Glad to help. Have fun modding the game

[Elthrael]

Yeah, running it though MO2 shows everything's fine. Thanks!

[Elthrael]

Aaah, ok, I wasn't running LOOT through MO2, that makes sense. I didn't get any errors, the game runs fine. I'll try again this afternoon. Thanks!

[Avrie]

Hi Elthrael, You also need to run LO)T through MO2 as well. Otherwise it won't detect the scripts. Do you get any errors from SKSE64 when you launch the game? If the scripts were not there SKSE would throw an error and not load at all. Double check that LOOT is installed correctly before you do anything else. If the game is loading and running it's loot that's the problem.

[Elthrael]

A question.
I have LOOT installed and although I'm currently not running any "mods" per se, except USSEP, SKSE64, Address Libraries and SSE Engine Fixes, I still keep it handy since I'm following Vlad's guides if I do decide to mod more.

I did the "Smart" method of installing scripts, and I did as you said, dragged and dropped the ZIP file into the MO2's downloads, then double-clicked and the mod appears as installed in MO2. However, LOOT reports that I have SKSE installed, but not the scripts. Game recognizes SKSE when I type "getskseversion" into console. Game seems to work fine.

Is LOOT not recognizing the archive install, or did I do something wrong?

[Avrie]

Check your version. If it's looking for Skyrim.exe and not SkyrimSE.exe you installed the wrong version. That's for oldrim.

[Mystery Woman]

I have tried to run the skyrim SKSE64 loader and made sure to verify my files on steam but it still comes up as could not find skyrim.exe. Any suggestions?

[Avrie]

Delete the current SKSE64 files you copied into the game folder. Validate your game files, and retest installing from a new 2.2.3 download. If it's not loading you may have a bad download, and left over files that were no removed. If you install using Vortex remember that you no longer need these instructions. Vortex will download and install this automatically for you. If you manually duplicat it as well, it won't load correctly.

[sootrinity]

it literally never works bro and now my game wont open.
i used 2.2.3 and it still says the same chargen and character dll are outdated

[★ 𝒲𝓎𝒶𝓉𝓉 ★]

lol will keep that in mind il back up load order just in-case