How to Install Skyrim Mods

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A comprehensive guide to enabling and adding mods

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Creating a Nexus Account

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Preparing Your Skyrim Installation

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Installing Essential Modding Files

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Installing and Playing a Mod

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

To install Skyrim mods, you'll want to create an account at the Nexus Skyrim website. After installing a few modding utilities, you can begin downloading mods and installing them with just a few clicks.

Part 1

Part 1 of 4:

Creating a Nexus Account

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This is the foremost modding site and repository for Skyrim mods, and you'll find virtually all mods on it.
You'll see this in the upper-right corner.
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Fill in Captcha verification and click VERIFY EMAIL.
Copy the verification code provided in email.
You'll need to enter a username and password and then click Create My Account.
You don't need any of the paid packages to download mods. You can either choose paid membership plans or click the link at bottom "I'll stick with the basic membership".

Part 2

Part 2 of 4:

Preparing Your Skyrim Installation

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1
Open Windows Explorer. You'll need to install Skyrim to a different folder than the usual Steam folder. This is because some mods have problems when accessing game files in the Program Files folder on your computer, which is the default installation location.
- You can click the Folder button in your taskbar or press ⊞ Win+E to open Windows Explorer.
Double-click on your main drive to view it. This is typically the C: drive.
This will create a new folder at the base of your hard drive.
You can name it anything, but this will help you identify it.
This folder needs to be on the same drive as your new Steam 2 folder.
Now that the folder is ready, you can add it to your Steam library so that you can install games to it.
This folder will now be available to install Steam games to, including Skyrim.
11
Right-click Skyrim in your Steam library and click Install. If it is already installed, you'll need to uninstall it first.
- Make sure you're installing standard Skyrim or the Legendary Edition. Most mods do not yet work with Skyrim Special Edition (Remastered).^{[1]XResearch source}
Wait for the game to install.

Part 3

Part 3 of 4:

Installing Essential Modding Files

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Visit nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1334/? to get a utility that allows you to easily organize your Skyrim mods.
When prompted to select where to install Mod Manager, point it to C:\Steam 2\steamapps\common\Skyrim or whichever folder you created earlier.
You'll find this in your Skyrim directory.
This will allow easy installation directly from the Nexus website.
Go to skse.silverlock.org to download SKSE, a tweak that expands Skyrim's scripting, and is necessary for a large number of mods.
When prompted during installation, point it at C:\Steam 2\steamapps\common\Skyrim.
You'll find it next to "RUN."
This will allow you to change the Mod Manager settings for SKSE.
Point it to the skse_loader.exe file in your Skyrim folder.^{[2]XResearch source}

Part 4

Part 4 of 4:

Installing and Playing a Mod

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Visit nexusmods.com/skyrim/ to start browsing for mod files.
You'll need to be signed in with your Nexus account in order to download mods larger than 2 MB, which is most of them.
3
Find a mod you want to install. Browse the Nexus Skyrim mod database to find a mod that sounds interesting to you. There are countless mods available, but installation will usually be pretty similar for each thanks to Mod Organizer.
- Make sure to double-check the mod's description and instructions in case it relies on a mod you don't have installed yet or requires special installation.
This will display the mod installation files.
5
Click Download with Manager. If the Download with Manager button is available, it will load directly into Mod Organizer.
- If you have to use an installer, make sure to point it to your Skyrim directory.
As you get started trying out mods, it's best to stick to installing one at a time to help troubleshoot when your game invariably stops working.
From now on, you'll be starting Skyrim through Mod Manager this way.

Community Q&A

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Question
Why am I having trouble installing the mods?
Community Answer
There could be a ton of reasons. You may have put the load order wrong, or you might have installed a buggy mod. Make sure to read the mod directions carefully.
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Question
I install all of my Skyrim mods manually. How do I fix load order issues?
Community Answer
Manually via the Data Files menu in the launcher. Simply use the arrows to move the mods to the appropriate load order. Skyrim.bsa should be first, followed by Dawnguard and the other docs. If there are partially conflicting mods, make sure the one whose functions you require loads first. Installing manually is not recommended, because load order fixing is harder. Try using a mod manager.
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Question
What about SkyUI and Nexus Mod Manager?
Community Answer
Use Nexus Mod Manager -- it saves a lot of headaches. SkyUI is just like the other mods, but it requires Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE). You need to download SKSE (which requires a Skyrim running the newest patch) before installing UI.
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Tips

Some mods are dependent on others to function. If you have done everything above and still are not able to load your mod, you might be missing a dependency.
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At some point, you are very likely going to break your game. When this happens, use Mod Manager to remove the last mod you installed and start troubleshooting what went wrong.
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Warnings

Some mods conflict with others. If you install a mod and then notice gameplay or performance problems, it is possible that two or more of your mods are in conflict with each other.
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