And none of the settings I change in the options sticks. This is a fresh install, with one mod loaded. However, it also is repeatable without any mods loaded. any help? Can find zero about it on google.

This was already mentioned when it was in beta but seems it is not fixed. Just as info, I don't know any solution.

Though it is a fresh install, did you have fresh, untouched .ini files by chance?

Just out of curiosity, do you have a Nvidia GPU running the latest beta driver?

To me it sounds like its trying to link to steam workshop to download mods, as its based on a "subscribe" system.

yes, fresh untouched ini file. And yes I am using an nvidia gpu with the latest beta drivers, although it is repetable with or without. Am I ok to carry on playing, or could this affect my game? really just wanna play tbh

sorry just to confirm, I had this problem before the latest patch, but I didn't get this error, so they very well could be unrelated

If you wait long enough at the launcher before you start the game you will get this error message every time (at least if you are running Steam in offline mode, I never run it online, so don't know if it is offline only). It has nothing to do with your GPU, I have an ATI HD5770 and get the same message. There were a couple of topics on this in the Beta section which is now closed. It seems pretty clear it is due to the "Steam Workshop support" which has been built into the launcher. It doesn't seem to have any effect on the game. I have played many hours since starting to get this message with the 1.4.15 beta version onwards. The only mods I've used are some texture replacers and it doesn't seem to have any effect on them. My advice: play the game and enjoy it, the message is annoying but doesn't seem to have any ill effects so far.

Have you tried reverting to an older driver?

I have the same issue

How do I say this nice.. It makes me very mad.

The message may be harmless, but once again Steam has wasted my time, since I had to look this up to get some comfort.

High time Bethesda provided an alternative to Steam, e.g. thin client registration for an encrypted authorisation code.