How to Install Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE)

PDF download Download Article
Plus, how to set up SKSE whether you use MO2 or Vortex
PDF download Download Article

Well over a decade past its original release, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is still a beloved and highly replayable game, mainly because of mods (short for modifications, or alterations to the game’s codes). The Skyrim Script Extender, or SKSE, is a third-party plugin for the PC version of Skyrim —and a key tool required to add mods to the game. If you’re excited to customize your Skyrim game and ready to get started, we’ll help you get there with this comprehensive guide to installing and setting up SKSE.

Quick Steps: How do you install SKSE?

  1. Launch Skyrim at least once before installing SKSE.
  2. Download SKSE from skse.silverlock.org based on the version of Skyrim you’re using.
  3. Extract the SKSE .7z archive using the program 7-Zip.
  4. Open your Skyrim game directory folder.
  5. Copy and paste all the extracted SKSE filed into your Skyrim directory.
  6. Let the SKSE files overwrite the original Skyrim files.
  7. Activate SKSE through either Mod Organizer 2 or Vortex Mod Manager.
Section 1 of 4:

Installing SKSE

PDF download Download Article
  1. Before installing SKSE, you need your copy of Skyrim to be registered with your computer (and have all the necessary game folders and files in place so you can mod them later). So, open up Steam (or GOG) and launch the game if you haven’t already.
    • You don’t have to do anything else here; launching the game and then closing it is enough!
    • You can skip this step if you’ve already launched Skyrim at least once.
  2. You can download the Skyrim Script Extender (SKSE) directly from the developer’s website at skse.silverlock.org . Just remember: SKSE doesn’t support Windows Store or Epic Games Store copies of Skyrim . Make sure you’re downloading the correct version for your game; the options include: [1]
    • Anniversary Edition (AE) build. Download this if you’re using the latest version of Skyrim on Steam. Currently, that means game version 1.6.1170.
    • GOG Anniversary Edition (AE) build. Download this if you’re playing Skyrim AE on GOG (rather than Steam). Currently, that’s game version 1.6.1179.
    • Special Edition (SE) build. Download this if you aren’t using the Anniversary Edition upgrade; if you’re playing SE, your game version is 1.5.97.
    • Classic build. Download this if you’re using the original, classic version of Skyrim (with no Legendary Edition, Special Edition, or Anniversary Edition upgrades).
    • VR build. Download this if you’re playing Skyrim VR (Virtual Reality).
    • If you don’t know what edition you’re using, navigate to your Skyrim game folder and right-click on the game executable. Select Properties → Details and check the edition under “Product version.”
    Advertisement
  3. For this, you’ll need 7-Zip, a free archiving program that can open .7z files (since SKSE downloads as a .7z archive). Otherwise, right-click on the SKSE archive and select 7-Zip → Extract Here . A folder will be created in the same location with the extracted files. [2]
    • If you don’t already have 7-Zip, download it from 7-zip.org .
  4. You’ll need to look in your Steam (or GOG) directory to find the Skyrim game folder. To do this, open Steam and go to your Library. Right-click on Skyrim , then select Manage → Browse local files. On GOG, right-click on Skyrim and select Manage Installation → Show Folder. [3]
    • The most common default installation directory for the Steam version of the game is: C:\Program Files\Steam\steammapps\common\skyrim\
  5. Inside, you should see folders labeled “src” and “Data,” as well as an executable named “skse64_loader.exe,” a .dll file, and a couple of .txt files. [4]
    • At this point, you should have two folders open: your Skyrim game directory and the folder with your SKSE files.
  6. Select all the files and folders in your extracted SKSE folder, then drag them into the Skyrim directory folder and drop them there. When prompted, allow the SKSE files to overwrite those in the main Skyrim directory. With that, SKSE should be installed! [5]
    • You don’t need to open any additional folders in the Skyrim directory or modify anything else. Just a simple copy and paste into the main directory is all that’s needed.
    • Now, it’s time to set up SKSE to ensure it works in Skyrim using one of the two mod manager programs it supports: Mod Organizer 2 or Vortex. See the steps below!
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Setting Up SKSE (Mod Organizer 2)

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’re using MO2, it should be able to detect SKSE in your Skyrim game directory automatically. Open MO2 and select the dropdown menu to the left of the “Run” button. “SKSE” should already be an option there. [6]
  2. There's a quick manual setup method if you don’t see SKSE in the dropdown menu. Here’s how to do it: [7]
    • 1. Click Modify Executables (the button with green and blue gears).
    • 2. In the window that opens, select the plus (+) sign next to "Executables," then “Add from file.”
    • 3. Open the Skyrim game folder and double-click on “skse64_loader.exe”.
    • 4 . Select “Apply” → “OK” to add SKSE to MO2.
    • 5. After that, you should see “skse64_loader” as an option under the MO2 dropdown menu.
    3. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Setting Up SKSE (Vortex)

PDF download Download Article
  1. Like MO2, Vortex should be able to auto-detect SKSE once it’s properly installed. So, open Vortex and go to the dashboard. You should see an option under “Tools” labeled “Skyrim Script Extender 64.” [8]
  2. There’s also an easy way to manually set up SKSE in Vortex with just a few clicks. Here’s how: [9]
    • 1. On your Vortex dashboard, click the plus (+) button, then select “New…”
    • 2. In the new window that opens, label the tool “SKSE” (next to “Name”).
    • 3. Click the folder icon in the “Target” bar.
    • 4. Open your Skyrim game folder and double-click “skse64_loader.exe”.
    • 5. Select “Save” to add an SKSE tool to Vortex.
    3. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Making Sure SKSE Works

PDF download Download Article
  1. In MO2, select the “SKSE” option in the dropdown menu, then click on the “Run” button with the bright orange “play” icon next to it. In Vortex, select the SKSE button on your dashboard to run Skyrim . [10]
    • Doing this should launch Skyrim through the script extender (which is how you need to launch it to play with mods).
  2. Once Skyrim has launched and you’re on the game’s main menu screen, press the “tilde” key (`~) on your keyboard to launch the in-game console. Type in “GetSKSEVersion,” then press “Enter” on the keyboard. If a SKSE64 version is returned, congratulations: you’ve successfully set up SKSE! [11]
    • For example, if you’re using the latest AE build, you should see “SKSE64 version: 2.2.6.”
    3. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Where is the scripts folder in the Skyrim file?
    Community Answer
    There isn't one by default. Simply make a new folder named "Scripts", put it into your Skyrim data folder, and copy the required files into it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 15 Helpful 44
  • Question
    Does this work with the remastered edition?
    Community Answer
    SKSE hasn't been reworked for Skyrim: Special Edition. I don't believe the original creators plan on doing it, either.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 166 Helpful 26
  • Question
    Do I need SKSE to download a mod?
    Community Answer
    Any mods that need SKSE will state that they require SKSE to properly work. Most mods are extract and play, but many still require SKSE.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 10
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Modifying the scripts of the game may corrupt or damage your saved file, so make sure that you make a backup copy of your game progress before you make any modifications.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Install Skyrim Mods
      4 Simple Ways to Install a Game on a PC (Free & Paid)
      How to
      Get to Smithing Skill Level 100 in Skyrim
      How to
      Get Easy Money in Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
      How to
      Hack Cookie Clicker Online
      How to
      Play Minesweeper
      120+ Quotes and Templates to Create the Perfect Roblox Profile
      How to
      Completely Uninstall League of Legends From PC
      6 Easy Steps to Appeal Your Roblox Account and Get Unbanned
      How to
      Turn Off Xbox Game Bar & Game Mode on Your PC
      How to
      Install a Torrent Game
      How to
      Install an ISO Game File on a Windows PC
      2 Easy Ways to Download and Play Fortnite on a Mac
      How To Make Mud in Minecraft (And How to Use It)
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://skse.silverlock.org/
      2. ↑ https://7-zip.org/
      3. ↑ https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4BD4-4528-6B2E-8327
      4. ↑ https://youtu.be/IcBhQcVzCwQ?t=80
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/IcBhQcVzCwQ?t=122
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/ECZFLELSPOc?t=229
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/ECZFLELSPOc?t=229
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/C8hgBmp1Weg?t=126
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/C8hgBmp1Weg?t=126
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/49FIlNnNc2c?t=201
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/49FIlNnNc2c?t=312

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 460,535 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement