Windows 10 Settings for Skyrim

This is a simple guide for the basic configurations for Windows 10. These are the settings that allow Skyrim to run on my System.

Graphics Drivers

You will need to check and make sure that your drivers are up to date. During the update / install Windows may install an old outdated driver.

AMD Drivers
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

Nvidia Drivers
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

Intel Drivers
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/




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Check All Other Drivers

Check all other drivers and update to the newest versions. This is NOT a complete list, but some of the most important. DO NOT use the automatic update built into Windows, go to your computer manufacturers website for the correct drivers.

SATA
Sound
LAN

Setting Up a HomeGroup

It appears newer versions of Windows 10 does not have the Homegroup settings anymore, please skip this section if the Homegroup is not available.

In Windows 10 a Homegroup is how files and printers are shared among computers on the network. Even if you have no network a Homegroup will still be necessary or the game may not save.

1. Turn off all other computers on the network. This will allow the Homegroup to be on the main computer.

1a. With Cortana: Type “Homegroup” into Cortana. Then click on “HomeGroup Control Panel” as shown in the picture.




1b. Without Cortana: Right click on the "Start" button then select "Control Panel" as shown in the picture.


Next select "Network and Sharing Center".


Then in the lower left will be "Homegroup", select that option.



2. In the Homegroup window click on “Create a Homegroup”.



3. Click “Next” in the screen that comes up. The next screen lets you choose which files to share, since Skyrim saves are in the documents folder set it to be shared as shown in this picture, click “Next”.



4. Write down your password then click “Finish”. The Homegroup is now created.




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File Compatibility Settings

It appears that at some point after Windows 10 has been installed compatibility settings are no longer needed. I know for a fact they were needed as I was testing and the main files would not run without "Run as Admin" checked. If others would confirm this it would be appreciated.

MageThis gave an explanation of why the compatibility settings are not consistent;

cfs111, don't know if it has been stated but the reason some "tweaks" are required for some users and not others is there are a multitude of Win 10 "Builds". Not 1. Updates get pushed and there is a "fast ring" and a "slow ring" so some users when booting are not at the same stage of the build.
One common example, of just the way MS pushes updates is if you graphic driver borked, don't fix it. Wait, cold boot. Might take awhile, and time will vary, but MS will push the correct, updated driver.
As for the "fast ring" and "slow ring" that is just a start to what could affect an individual's need to repair/tweak a Win 10 (ugh) upgrade.

If you are on a new install of Skyrim it appears no compatability settings are needed. If you have problems I would suggest using the "New Settings".

I am no longer able to test different compatibility settings on my system. If you would like to take part go to this thread http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/530649887217782868/ . I did quite a bit of testing on two systems and "Run as Admin" should be all that is needed.

If you do not have some of these files, do not worry, just skip them. If you plan on modding your Skyrim I suggest starting with this thread created and maintained by Ilja. There are links to other guides and resources in his thread. Don't let the title fool you, at the very least the links will be of use to even advanced mod users.

New Player Spreadsheet By Ilja
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/594821545176386165/

To access the settings right click on the file then click on Properties. Then click Compatibility Tab.

Steam has been updated to the point that NO COMPATABILITY SETTINGS should be used for steam.exe. Leave the compatabilities tab blank for Steam.

SETTINGS THAT SHOULD BE NEEDED

Steam.exe
loot.exe
TES5Edit.exe
wrye bash.exe


skse_loader.exe
skyrim_launcher.exe
TESV.exe
modorganizer.exe & NMM

IF YOU STILL HAVE PROBLEMS TRY THESE

For "Compatibility Mode" start with the version of Windows you updated from, then go down from there. Do not go below WinXP 32 bit Service Pack 3.

Steam.exe
loot.exe
TES5Edit.exe
wrye bash.exe


skse_loader.exe
skyrim_launcher.exe
TESV.exe


modorganizer.exe & NMM





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Skyrim Still Will Not Work?

Anti-Virus

Try adding skyrim_launcher.exe, tesv.exe, skse_loader.exe, etc. as an exception in your anti virus program.

Moving your Steam Installation

If Skyrim still refuses to work move your Steam installation out of Program Files (x86). Luckily Steam has a support page to tell you how. Sometimes it appears Windows has an issue with the folder Program Files (x86), it does not seem to matter which drive it is located on though.https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

Getting the DISK WRITE ERROR on Windows 10?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fallout/comments/3s700u/getting_the_disk_write_error_on_windows_10_here/
Found by Bomb Bloke

Try validating your games files

The part about the appcache folder is important. (Note: If you have cleaned your master files with TES5Edit you will need to do so again.)

[Quick link] Validating master files by Ilja http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/535150948617437868/

Cart / Horses flipping all over? Clutter flying around when you enter an area?

From grimus
Rule of Thumb: Vsync (Verticle Refresh) set to always ON and FPS not to exceed 60. The game physics go wild if not. Sound default 24 bit 48KHz stereo and if Realtek then "Loudness Equalisation" on. If monitor is 120-144Hz then set it to 60Hz or adaptive refresh rate or some such from GPU utility program. If you can't then "FPS Limiter" from Nexus will do the trick. http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/34/?

For Nvidia GPUs: http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/535150948606032257/

Stuck In Windowed Mode?

This is a very simple fix, just downlaod and install this mod. It does require SKSE.

Features:
•Borderless window mode
•Alt+Tab double cursor fix
•Dynamic process priority (since 0.1.0.48)
•RaceMenu Precache killer (for Skyrim)

Requirements:
Script Extender (SKSE, FOSE, NVSE or OBSE)

OneTweak by virusek
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/40706/?

Skyrim Script Extender
http://skse.silverlock.org/

Since SKSE will be installed, you should also set up the memory patch originally discovered by Sheson. Luckily Ilja has set up a guide just for this.

Ilja's SKSE, memory and skse.ini Guide:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/540740500921363665/




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Windows 10 Performance Tweaks

Table of Contents

A. Visual Settings to Help Increase Performance
B. Turning Off Background Apps
C. Choose How Windows Handles Updates
D. Turn Off Notifications
E. XBox App
F. Turn off Superfetch

A. Visual Settings to Help Increase Performance

If your system is a little laggy these settings can help increase performance.

1. Right click on the "Start" button, select "System".


2. Choose "Advanced System Options".


3. Now click "Settings" button in the "Performance" section.


4. In this screen you will find lots of options to tweak. You will have to play with different combinations to find what works best for your system, or just click "Performance" to turn everything off.

B. Turning Off Unused Background Apps

1. Click on "Start" then "Settings".


2. Click on "Privacy"


3. Now scroll down and select "Background Apps".


4. On this screen just turn off any Apps you do not use.

C. Choose How Windows Handles Updates

Windows 10 will use your computer as server to push updates to other computers. If you have a metered connection this could be costly!!! Or if like me, you don't like want your system used for this here is how to turn this "feature" off.

1. Go to the Start menu and select "Settings".


2. Then select "Update & Security"


3. Next select "Advanced Options"


4. Now "Choose how updates are delivered"


5. Finally match these options.

D. Turn Off Notifications

1. Click on "Start", then "Settings".


2. Choose "System".


3. Now click on "Notifications & actions".


4. In this window choose the notification settings you want. For pure gaming turn them all off. Or scroll further down and turn off the notifications by app.

E. XBox App

The XBox App integrates taking screenshots and videos of your gaming into Windows 10. On a slower sytstem this can cause issues. And there are some reports of the notification interfering with animations. To turn it off, type XBox into Cortana and open the XBox app then just follow this picture, 1,2,3.

F. Turn off Superfetch

Superfetch is a Windows 10 service that sees what programs you use often and preloads them so that they will start faster. Most of the time this does not matter. But when resource intensive programs are used (such as games) that call for memory to be cleared often will result in Superfetch moving the unused preloaded stuff out of RAM onto your storage drive. With an SSD this really does not increase startup speed because of the speed of SSD's so it mostly useless. For HDD on the other hand this service can cause slow down of the system due to increased write times to the HDD. Running the Creation Kit multiple times in a row uncovered this on my system. Just follow the directions here to turn off and disable Superfetch.
https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-superfetch/



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Other Windows 10 Stuff

As I find other little tweaks for Windows I will add them here.

A. If you like Microsoft Edge but not Bing, then change the default search engine.
B. Enabling System Restore (It is inexplicably OFF by default)
C. Windows 10 has Virtual Desktops!!!!
D. How to Set Up a God Mode Folder.
E. Turning Off Cortana

A. HOW TO CHANGE EDGE'S DEFAULT SEARCH ENGINE

1. Open Edge and click on the "three Dots" in the upper right.


2. Click on "Settings".


3. Scroll down until you can click on "Advanced Settings".


4. On "Advanced Settings" window scroll down to "Bing (www.bing.com)", click on it then click on "<Add new>".


5. Last, you will see a list of OpenSearch compatible search engines that you have visited. Choose your favorite, then click "Add as default". That's it!!

B. HOW TO ENABLE SYSTEM RESTORE

For some odd reason System Restore is turned off. If you have a problem during an update you may forced to fully reinstall Windows.

1. Right click on "Start" then "System"


2. Clck on "System Protection".


3. Select your main drive, then click the "Configure" button.


4. Tick "Turn on system protection". Then set the size slider to what you want. I use 10%, Windows will store new system restore points until the space has been used. When a new one needs to saved the oldest one is deleted.


5. Click "OK", then "OK" again and your done.

C. HOW TO ACCESS VIRTUAL DESKTOPS

1. Click on the "Task View" button on the Taskbar. You can also use the keyboard shortcut windows+tab.


2. Now just click on Add Desktop. You can switch between desktops and applications through the Task View, handy tool for multi-tasking.

D. HOW TO SET UP THE GOD MODE FOLDER

The God Mode folder gives you quick access to 262 settings menus.

1. Copy this line, you will need it in a minute.
GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}

2. Right anywhere on the desktop, click "New" then "Folder".


3. Now just paste the line you copied earlier to rename the folder. Hit enter, and check out your new Windows god mode powers!!

E. Turning Off Cortana

1. Click on "Start" then "Settings".


2. Select "Privacy".


3. Next is "Speech, Ink and Typing"


4. Last click on the grey button "Stop Getting To Know Me". No more Cortana and the information Cortana has gathered on you will be cleared.

Resources For Adding Mods to Skyrim

These are links to help you mod your Skyrim crash free.

Skyrim Manual
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/72850/manuals/skyrim_gfw_manual-07.pdf?t=1434679266

PSA: Current State of the Skyrim Workshop + Modding Resources
http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/discussions/-1/451850213943051342/?appid=72850

Player Spreadsheet By Ilja
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/594821545176386165/

A Beginners Guide To Modding by Gopher.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DdhDG41roBVJfNCqvO5MmKP

Gopher's Mod Organizer Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE7DlYarj-DcLS9LyjEqOJwFUQIIQewcK

Modding, A Beginner's Guide by tony971: (Has a section on making Skyrim vanilla again.)
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/56894/?

Nazenn's Guide: Modding Tools, Tips and Resources:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/619573787291424440/

Nazenn's Modding Myths and Advanced Tips:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/619573787397876592/

Nazenn's Outdated and Dangerous Mods
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/523890681422555089

Cleaning the Official Master ESMs
http://www.theassimilationlab.com/forums/topic/14507-guide-manual-cleaning-skyrim-master-files/

Load order and resource priority basics
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/523890681419356033/

Ilja's Guide: Small list of little big mods for Skyrim:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/34094415774892758/

Ilja's CTD After Bethesda Screen Guide
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=375836621

Edit Log

8/16/15 Added link to Thread regarding this Guide.

8/16/15 Added section 1b for those without Cortana.

8/17/15 Added Information about possible compatibility setting changes to Compatibility Section

8/17/15 In the new settings changed skse_launcher.exe and modorganizer.exe from "nothing checked" to "run as admin"

8/18/15 Added ---- for neatness

8/18/15 Edited File Compatibilities section to make it easier to read

8/19/15 Added info for those with a fresh install of Skyrim in File Compatibities Section. Changed from advocating using Compatability for Win7 to "run as admin" only. Added pictures to 1b of Homegroup section.

8/20/15 Added compatibilities not needed after 30 days. Moved directions on accessing compatibility tab to the top. Spelling.

8/22/15 Edited File Compatibilities and Homegroup sections to make them easier to read. Added section Other win10 stuff and instructions for turning off update delivery.

8/23/15 Added bit about not having all files listed to Compatibilities section. Added space at the end of each section to help differentiate them. Added how to tweak visual settings to Other Win10 Stuff section. Added link to Ilja's New Player Spreadsheet thread. Thank you Ilja!! (And I spelled your name right LOL)

8/24/15 Added change default search engine in edge and added turning on system restore, added Virtual desktops to other win 10 stuff. Changed guide Picture.

8/25/15 Added how to set up god mode folder. Added keyboard shortcut to virtual desktops in Other Win10 Stuff.

8/27/15 Added Section on OneTweak. Added turning off Cortana, added turning off background apps to Other Win 10 stuff. Added Section Windows 10 Performance. Moved parts of Win 10 Stuff to new section.

8/28/15 Added links to SKSE and Ilja's Memory guide to Windowed Mode section. Added Resources for Modding Skyrim Section.

8/29/15 Added how to recover your win10 key to other win10 stuff.

8/30/15 Added Notifications to Performance section.

9/25/15 Added Other Drivers Section

10/23/15 Added Move Steam installation section

11/9/15 Added some clarification to Move Steam Section.

11/27/15 Added clarification on Steam compatability settings.

3/29/16 Removed "Finding Your Windows 10 Product Key", it does not work as intended. It pulls a key, but it is not the key needed during a re-install.

4/13/16 Added XBox App section to Performance Tweaks.

5/10/16 Editing in resources section. Added information about AV to Skyrim Still Will Not Work? section. (Thanks MageThis on both of these!)

5/13/16 Added / updated links in modding resources section.

5/14/16 Added Win10 Disk Write Error to Skyrim Still will not work section.

5/23/16 Added link to validating master files in Skyrim Still Will Not Work? section.

7/22/16 Added explanation of why compatibility settings vary, thanks to MageThis for the explanation.

7/30/16 Added instructions for opening the XBox app to Windows 10 Performance section part E. Thanks to Ilja for pointing it out.

8/7/16 Added instructions about limiting fps due the physics to Still Will Not Work section.

3/15/18 Added information about Superfetch to Windows 10 Performance section part F.

[Ilja]

@Cyanmurder It is 2025. Few things might have changed in between releasing this guide (for obvious need) and you childish BS today. Don't you think?

[Cyanmurder]

I run mine on Windows 11 flawlessly, with no need for this bs thread.

[glfozark]

Is there a guide similar to this one for win 11.I am having problems running Skyrim V on 11 No problems running on 10 though.

[Deathweed]

this guide is outdated. homegroup no longer exists along with a plethora of other things.

[hanakin]

here is my quick fix ready?

Step 1: buy skyrim special edition

[Richard -- 🤠]

https://steamcommunity.com/app/72850/discussions/0/3397295779066312273/

@ author please help me.... PPLEASEEEE I've tried everything and you seem to be a smart fella

[Ilja]

ENBoost uses allocates memory usage between VRAM and RAM, through enbhost.exe. That way game becomes slightly more stable and less prone to crash, when VRAM no longer gets suddenly filled by geometry data and outright crashes the game.

[Adviser69]

I got the game running well, partly from your guide, and mostly from the ENB boost mod. I don't know what that mod does to stablize memory use and background processes, but I'll be damned if it's not a necessity for me now.

[cfs111]

Skip that section, will add a note to the beginning of that section that newer versions of Win do not appear to have the Homegroup settings anymore. I will have to research this further.

If the rest of the guide does not help get your game going, just post back what exactly is happening and we will try to get you going.

[Adviser69]

Homegroup no longer exists on my Windows 10 build. Now what?