Modding Skyrim Made Super Easy

Hello, I am going to going to explain how to mod Skyrim the easiest way I can.

This guide is for game version 1.6.640 and newer and Vortex only.

I will try my best to show you how to install the most popular mods on Skyrim, that’s why I have some mods listed here on how to install.

If my guide helped then please rate, favorite and comment so my guide can help others.

If you want to see better explanations on how to install Skyrim mods then here's my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzi5_NAWhHZQVRJQiRZ0_gg

Video Tutorial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQNKvVlRNFI&t=18s

What you need to install mods

Vortex Mod Manager: https://www.nexusmods.com/about/vortex/

I highly recommend to use Vortex Mod Manager since it is more user friendly.

To get it managing Skyrim go to games and click manage on Skyrim Special Edition so Vortex can start managing the mods for it.

(Required for Modding) How to install SKSE

Before you do anything make sure you have launched Skyrim atleast once, also it is highly recommended to start a new save when modding.

Install SKSE: https://skse.silverlock.org

Go to and Download Current Anniversary Edition build 2.2.3 (game version 1.6.640)

Game version 1.6.640 is the most likely version of the game you will be on if you installed Anniversary Edition.

If you don't know your version go to where you installed Skyrim for example C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition, highlight and right click SkyrimSE, go to properties, details and in product version which should say your version of the game like 1.6.640

Now go to where you downloaded SKSE, highlight or copy all the files and extract all the files where SkyrimSE exe is at like in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition

DO NOT INSTALL SKSE ANYWHERE ELSE OR IT WILL NOT WORK!

Now to get SKSE working for Vortex Mod Manager go to dashboard, tools, SKSE, click the three dotted lines, edit, go to target, click the folder that says change and it will open the Skyrim Special Edition directory where SkyrimSE exe is located at, next find and double click skse64_loader, once you done that click save and SKSE is now set and ready to run through Vortex Mod Manager.

Note: Always run SKSE through Vortex Mod Manager when modding the game, if you don't, the mods will not work.

To run SKSE just go to dashboard, tools and click the play button SKSE to run it, once you do it will boot up Skyrim.

to check your SKSE version, run SKSE, once you are at the main menu of Skyrim press ` key and type in getskseversion and it will tell you what version of SKSE you have.

it should say SKSE64: 2.2.3

If you have a issue with this step then let me know in the comments, i'll be happy to help.

(Required for Modding) How to install SkyUI

SkyUI: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/12604

On the mod page go to files, in main files go to SKYUI and click Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install SkyUI

To check that the is mod is installed go to Vortex, mods and it should say SkyUI_5_2_SE and a button that says enabled which means its installed.

SkyUI is now installed to your game.

(Required for Modding) How to install Address Library for SKSE Plugins

Address Library for SKSE Plugins: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/32444?tab=files

Go to files, in Main Files click on All in one (Anniversary Edition) and hit Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install it, to see if the mod is installed go to Vortex, Mods and Address Library for SKSE Plugins All in one (Anniversary Edition) should be installed and enabled.

(Required for Modding) SSE Engine Fixes (skse64 plugin)

SSE Engine Fixes (skse64 plugin) https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/17230

On the mod page go to files, in Main Files go to (Part 1) SSE Engine Fixes for 1.6.629 and newer, click Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install it, to check if the mod is installed go to Vortex, Mods and you should see (Part 1) SSE Engine Fixes for 1.6.629 and newer installed and enabled.


You will need to install (Part 2) Engine Fixes - skse64 Preloader and TBB Lib which is required and must be installed installed manually so to do that go to files, in Main Files go to DllLoader and click manual download and it will download to where your downloads go, open the file (Part 2) Engine Fixes - skse64 Preloader and TBB Lib highlight or copy all the files inside and extract it to Skyrim Special Edition directory is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition where SkyrimSE exe is.

DO NOT PUT IT ANYWHERE ELSE OR IT WILL NOT WORK!

If you have trouble with this step let me know in the comments.

(Required for Modding) Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition patch

Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/266

On the page go to files, go to Unofficial Skyrim Special Edition Patch and click Mod Manager download. Vortex will install the mod.

You need to install this patch since it will fix most common issues with SKSE amongst other things to, it is absolutely required.

How to install FNIS

Fores New Idles in Skyrim SE - FNIS SE https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3038?tab=description

On the mod page go to mods, files and in Main Files go to FNIS Behavior SE 7_6, click Mod Manager Download, Vortex will install FNIS, go to mods and you should see FNIS Behavior SE 7_6 installed and enabled.

If you want to install FNIS Creature Pack SE 7.6 and FNIS Spells SE 7.0 then you can, just install them the same you did with FNIS Behavior SE 7_6.

To setup FNIS with Vortex you need to go to Vortex, Dashboard, tools, go to FNIS, click the three dots, edit, click the folder icon and follow this path:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data\tools\GenerateFNIS_for_Users\GenerateFNISforUsers.exe

Double click GenerateFNISforUsers.exe, once you do click save and FNIS will be ready to go.

If you are having trouble with this step let me know in the comments.

To launch FNIS go to dashboard, tools, FNIS and double the play button on FNIS and FNIS will launch. Once you do enable the patch Skeleton Arm Fix which will fix most common issues with animations like T Posing and click Update FNIS Behavior every time you add animations, click consistence check to make sure there's no consistence issues with the animations. If there any warnings when adding animations then click Skeleton Arm Fix Patch, it will most likely fix the issue. If it doesn't then read the animation mod description and see if has any requirements and read the installation instructions if it has any.

DO NOT CLICK ANY OTHER PATCHES UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT THEY ARE! IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE FOR THEN YOU WILL ♥♥♥♥ UP YOUR GAME

If have any issues let me know in the comments

CAUTION!

Nemesis and FNIS are not compatible together so do not run these two together because they will conflict, if you are looking to use combat animations then I highly recommend using Nemesis.

How to install RaceMenu

RaceMenu: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/19080

On the mod page go to files, in the Main Files go to RaceMenu Anniversary Edition v0-4-19-14, click Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install RaceMenu. To see that RaceMenu is installed go to Vortex, Mods and RaceMenu Anniversary Edition v0-4-19-14 should be installed and enabled.

To see that its working in game you can either start a new game or just type in console commands showracermenu and you should be able to edit your character with RaceMenu. In a new game RaceMenu will show up once you get to the part where you make your character.

High Poly Head 1.4 is highly recommended if you are looking to install character presets or follower that use High Poly Heads.

https://vectorplexis.com/files/file/283-high-poly-head/

To install high poly head just install the latest file, only one file! Once its downloaded go to where the file installed, bring up Vortex and drag and drop the High Poly Head file in Mods where it says drop files. To make it simple its in Mods, there's a file with a arrow pointing down and under it says drop files at the bottom.

Face Discoloration Fix is another recommended mod that fixes most issues with weird looking purple, blue and pink character presets.

Face Discoloration Fix: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/42441

To install Face Discoloration Fix go to files, in Main Files go to Face Discoloration Fix SE and click Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install it. To see that it's installed go to Mods, Face Discoloration Fix SE should be installed and enabled.

If you have any issues then let me know in the comments.

How to install to BodySlide

Download BodySlide and Outfit Studio: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/201

On the mod page go to files, Main Files, go to BodySlide and Outfit Studio - v5.6.0 and click Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install the mod. To check that the mod is installed go to Vortex, Mods and BodySlide and Outfit Studio should be installed and enabled.

To setup BodySlide go to Dashboard, tools, BodySlide, click the three dots, go to target and set the path to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data\CalienteTools\BodySlide\BodySlide x64.exe

Double click BodySlide x64.exe and click save, you are done.

To launch BodySlide go to Vortex, Dashboard, tools and click on the play button to launch BodySlide.

To make it easy to build outfits and armor you can go to group filter, click the magnifying glass, choose groups and if the outfit or armor mod has a category then it should show up in choose groups, if it doesn't then the mod author hasn't made it in a category which is completely fine. If it is in a category then choose the outfit or armor mod you installed, the outfit or armor mod name should be listed, click them and press ok, check morphs and go to batch build, check the options you want and press Build. Batch Build will build the outfits and armor for you instead of making you have to build one piece of armor and outfit at a time.

If you are having any issues with this step then let me know thanks.

Most outfits and Armor require certain body presets so if you have a outfit you would like to wear for your character then please make sure you read the mod description before you installed the mod, if you don't then the outfit will look weird and will most likely clip.

I'm not a expert with BodySlide but will do my best to help you if you have any issues.

How to install Nemesis

Download Project New Reign - Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/60033

Note: Before you install Nemesis make sure you have FNIS uninstalled because these two animation loader mods do not like each other so only use one.

On the mod page go to files, in Main Files go to Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine, click Mod Manager Download and Vortex will install the mod. To check and see that its installed go to Vortex, Mods and Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine should be installed and enabled.

To setup Nemesis with Vortex go to Vortex, Dashboard, Tools and go to Nemesis, if Nemesis isn't there then click the plus sign, click new, name it Nemesis, go to target and set the path to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data\Nemesis_Engine\Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine.exe

Double Nemesis Unlimited Behavior Engine.exe and click save, Nemesis is now ready to go.

To launch Nemesis, go to Vortex, Dashboard, tools, go to Nemesis and click the play button to launch Nemesis. Before you do anything make sure to press Update Engine.

Combat animation mods that you have installed should pop up in Nemesis Engine, make sure to check box ONLY THE COMBAT ANIMATION MODS YOU INSTALLED! Once you have check boxed the combat animation mods you have Launch Nemesis Behavior Engine so the combat animations can be applied to your game.

If you have any issues then let me know in the comments.

How to install Achievements Mods Enabler

Download Achievements Mods Enabler: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/245?tab=description

On the mod page go to files, in Main Files go to Achievements Mods Enabler SE-AE and click Manager Download and Vortex will install the mod, to see that its installed go to Vortex, Mods and Achievements Mods Enabler SE-AE should be installed and enabled.

Achievements Mods Enabler requires xSHADOWMANx's Dll Loader

Download xSHADOWMANx's Dll Loader: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/3619

On the Mod page go to files, go to Main Files DllLoader and click manual download and the mod will install to where your downloads go to, go to where you downloaded xSHADOWMANx's Dll Loader and extract all the files inside SHADOWMANx's Dll Loader folder to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition directory where SkyrimSE exe is at.

If you are having issues with this mod then please let me know in the comments.

How to install Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO SE

Download Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO SE: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/1187?tab=files

In the mod page go to files, in Main Files go to Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO Final and click on Mod Manager Download, Vortex will install the mod. To check that the mod is working go to Vortex, Mods and Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO Final should be installed.

[Speeble]

@synopse how do you make a fake fnis.esp?

[Solaire]

horny empath did you deploy the mods? Did you make sure none of the mods are conflicting?

[horny empath]

I installed everything here and enabled all of the mods in vortex but when I boot skyrim through vortex none of the mods are working. Any tips would be appreciated. Both the mod folder and the Skyrim.exe are not on my boot drive.

[SpeedFreak1972]

In general not a bad guide, however I see setting up Fnis or Nemesis not as super easy especially if you have to trouble shoot.

[Synopse]

Nemesis can handle FNIS mods by creating fake FNIS.esp. Never needed FNIS on top or take anything care of. Nemesis was invented to replace FNIS and still run all existing FNIS mods because mod author hated to wait till author of FNIS provided support to a new FNIS mod.

[xybolt]

the install achievement mod enabler section can be ignored if you have installed SSE Engine Fixes because a part of the plugin (by default it is enabled) is to re-enable the achievements functionality. The mod mentioned there is for those that does not want to use SKSE.

I don't see a point to ignore SSE Engine Fixes if you have SKSE already. so ...

[Solaire]

Yes but there a lot of mods that still use FNIS, if you are using a mod that requires FNIS then you need to install it.

Nemesis is complex to setup to work with FNIS mods which I am too lazy to explain on how to do at the moment,

[Synopse]

If you have Nemesis you don't need FNIS. FNIS is made obsolate by Nemesis.

[tinyavocado]

The only super easy way to mod Skyrim is Wabbajack.

[Raideesh]

Hello there,
I was downloading and installing everything until the FNIS step.
I can't find the Tools file just after the DATA one