So, I don't believe anyone has done this before, especially since I've been craving for this sort of information for weeks. Finally, here it is. I'm not allowed to post links, so you'll need to find everything online for yourself, but that's easy once you've got the right name to search for.

I'm a newbie in Steam and Skyrim and therefore encountered a lot of problems after installing. I'd heard about mods that would improve bugs and user interface, among other, so I started my journey in the jungle of mods.


This is basically a "HOW TO GET SKYRIM TO WORK"-text. (And probably poorly written since jeg egentlig snakker og skriver norsk til vanlig - you saw what I did there? )

Skyrim is for now one of the best games I've encountered. Only problem is all the mods you should have and the lack of information about them. As a new gamer it's hard to figure it out without entering a "Top 25 of the must have mods in Skyrim"- lists. And of course the lack of information on those as well. Also I'm kind of a traditional girl, I don't like to alternate anything and I was hugely skeptical for modding the game. However, these mods do not change anything but bugs and improving the gaming interface, if not noted otherwise. I would never use a My Little Pony mod in my game. I would use a "this makes it more realistic"-mod.

After 5 weeks of playing I've figured tons of ** out, with a lot of CTD's and bugs, and I would recommend you to do this:

When purchasing Skyrim, also download Nexus Mod Manager for easy installing mods(even though sometimes you'll have to correct the manager depending on which mod you add). NOTE: One do NOT have to pay for anything when registrating at the Nexus forum. You can choose whichever account you want, and then just don't enter payment methods(optional).

Download latest SKSE(should be a .org link) and follow the instructions from the mod-developer(Nexus Mod Manager will not install SKSE properly). NOTE: Do extract the scr-folder as well to get it to work. ALL players.

Also download SKSE Patcher to get it to work with Steam. NOTE: you'll have to save the download in the /.../common/Skyrim/ folder to get the patcher to detect Skyrim(no need of Nexus here).

I would also recommend you to download SkyUI for a better interface ingame.

And if you are having serious trouble with CTD(crash to desktop) like I did(when I first reached level 12 I had about 1 hour ingame before it crashed), download the Unofficial Skyrim Patch which is created to fix bugs.

There's a main quest that will not work without this: When you get to Riften you will find Esbern not talking and thrashing the door in you face(IN YOUR FACE!) - download Fallout Mod Manager from the Nexus site. Follow the same steps as in the video you'll find on youtube when googling esbern+voice+fallout+3.

Crash to Desktop-issue, try this:
First right-click on your speaker icon -> Playback Devices->Select your speaker->Properties->Advanced - and make sure that Default format is set to 44100Hz or lower(Studio Quality).
OR: Go to C:\Users\*username*\AppData\Local\Skyrim and open "plugins". Make sure that Skyrim.esm is only typed once. Save after deleting skyrim.esm duplicate.

If you haven't legally bought Skyrim, it will have tons of more bugs than the legal one. And when you finally buy Skyrim, you can not use your old save file, so you'll have to start over. Just look at this post. This is legally bought bugs and errors.

How to gain access to Data Files in Skyrim Launcher: Go to C:\Users\*username*\Documents\My Games\Skyrim - Open SkyrimPrefs and type this line in under the section [Launcher] bEnableFileSelection=1

To gain access to Data Files has a very high advantage and that's because WHEN your Skyrim do crash, you could easily access the activated mods in Data Files - selection, and do a elimination process by mod deactivation of "which mod isn't working with my setup"-issue.

Also, in a spoiler-nonalert-dragon-place, you will not actually GET the word of power, the shout that is inscripted on that wall. That is a bug that hasn't been fixed yet, so you will need to use a cheatcode to get the shout you gained without cheating. The cheatcode for this shout(again, you fought for it, but will never get it without typing these horrific codes) is something I don't remember. When you get to the place, simply google the dragonlocation or dragonname after you've defeated him, and the codes will come up. You access the typescreen buy hitting this button "§" (next to "1") ingame.

That was all I could remember for now. My advice is to carefully read the instructions of every mod and follow it to the letter. When you have done that, come back and try these fixes. Nexus Mod Manager will work for most of the mods, but if it doesn't, follow the instruction from the developer. Maybe Nexus forgot to extract a file to a folder(basically the problem if Nexus doesn't work).

BEFORE UPDATING! - Beware that when Bethesda or Unofficial patch comes with an update, SKSE-developer need time to update their file. Usually SKSE WILL NOT WORK with the new updates without being updated first. I recommend that you wait with installing new updates until you're absolutely sure that SKSE will work with them. This is a golden tip.

Now, other mods I find highly important to the game to make it more realistic, is:

Convenient Horses - Because you can armour your horse and make use of his satchel. Your Follower wil also get a horse. Also there's some "cheats" coming along with it, but you'll decide wether to activate them yourself.

Bandolier - Bags and Pouches - So that I can make my own pockets and bags. This is a sort of cheat since you can "upgrade" your player to carry 860 instead of 415(depends on what level you're on).

The Lost Art of The Blacksmith - I like to craft everything myself. Treasures, gifts and rewards are safely stored, and this mod allows you to craft almost whatever weapon and armor you'd want.

Val's Crafting Meltdown - So that I can melt down tankards, weapons and armor to original material. Use with care, suddenly you'll be standing crafting leather, armed to your teeth with no clothes on. (yea... been there..).

I also have a few others, but I haven't tested them yet. I hope this post was helpful and understanding. I know I've forgotten a thing or two, so do not hesitate to contact me if you have any problems and perhaps I'll be able to answer. I will not help people who got Skyrim illegally, basically because I can't. These fixes barely work with the legally bought version.

Also, I would appreciate it if this thread is held to be a "Here's another way to fix that issue - I just came across it" instead of a "I'm the twentieth guy who post that I got the same problem!".

Seriously, you can message me here or on Steam(SteamID available on my forumprofile). I'm not a forum type of girl.

Now, FINALLY, I'll go back to playing Skyrim.