You can also try deleting Skyrim_default.ini from your game directory (c:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\skyrim) and then verify local game cache. The ini files in your documents folder get created using values specified in the Skyrim_default.ini file, so if there's something wrong with that file, regenerating new ini files won't help. The Skyrim_default.ini won't be generated automatically, so you'll need to verify local files with steam to replace it once deleted. So, try this:

Delete Skyrim_default.ini from game directory
Delete Skyrim.ini and SkyrimPrefs.ini from \My Documents\My Games\Skyrim directory
Verify local game cache with Steam
Navigate to game directory and launch the game via the SkyrimLauncher.exe

If this doesn't work, hold the mouse cursor above TESV.exe and verify that the version is 1.5.26. If it is some other version (such as 1.5.24 or older) then delete it and verify local game cache to download the file again from Steam. The same can be done with SkyrimLauncher.exe.

Hi, no I didn't uninstall. Do you think I should try that.

I tried all the above including downloading the tesv.exe but all in vain.

Nope nothing works, not a new tesv or launcher.

I dont know what to do, tried every advice what to do nothing seems to work.

Frisian Viking, post your system specs.

Win 7 serv. pack 1 x 64.
Quad Core Intel Core 2 Quad Q 8300 2500 MHz.
Sys mem. 4 MB.
MSI radeon 6850 cyclone.
Syncmaster 2770

Free space on hard drive more than 400 GB

Not dumb and definitely worth asking.

POTENTIAL FIX if you have Catalyst 12.3 drivers with 12.3 CAP1 Application Profiles - Try Uninstalling 12.3CAP1
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I have similar specs as Frisian Viking with AMD HD 6950 and the Steam release of Skyrim. I never had any crashing issues until today. Today I installed the Catalyst 12.3 drivers and Skyrim started crashing at launch with the message "Skyrim has stopped working". Naturally I tried everything mentioned in previous posts and nothing worked, also uninstalled and installed Skyrim completely a couple of times. After playing about with the drivers I noticed that uninstalling the Catalyst Application Profile 12.3 CAP1 and rebooting returned Skyrim to a normal working state. I confirmed by re-installing the application profiles, running Skyrim (crashed again at launch), and removing them/rebooting again (Skyrim works again).

No clue why the 12.3CAP1 application profiles interfere with my Skyrim installation but if you have them installed and Skyrim crashes at launch try uninstalling them. No other issues with the recent Catalyst 12.3 drivers so far.

PS. I have no mods other than the official HD pack

My guess is they rushed it getting close to no official 12.3 at all. Thanks for this I will be sure to spread it around

Uninstall the game and delete your game directory (c:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\skyrim). Then reinstall the game (hopefully from physical media) and allow it to update via Steam. If you are still encountering problems, post the results of a dxdiag (using spoiler tags, please).

Also, if you could confirm that this is an error that occurs when you launch Skyrim, not when you attempt to load a saved game.

Edit: another thing I'd suggest is the following: Move or delete all save game files from \My Documents\My Games\Skyrim (including autosaves). Then, either before or after reinstalling Skyrim, try launching the game. If it works, start a new game and play until it creates a new autosave. Then exit the game, copy back your saves (except the autosaves) and see if they will load. I don't know why, but I've seen more than one report now of autosaves being a potential cause for the game crashing on launch.

I got this same problem as everyone else, Skyrim's been working fine for me until today. Tried playing the game without mods, doesn't work. Tried deleting the ini files, doesn't work. It's obviously because of the patch.

This problem is definitely because of Script Dragon after a Steam update. Removing SD from my Skyrim folder solved the problem and I'm glad I came to check the forums before making any attempts at re-installing the game that probably would have been unsuccessful. I never would have considered removing the outdated Script Dragon mod files if not for MOGGYW. Thank you everyone here at this forum, especially MOGGYW.

Oke m8ts, I found the problem.
This what I did, removed the driver Catalist 12.3 and profile 12.3 CAP 1.
Reinstalled the driver and profile 12.1 CAP 3.
Validated in Steam.
Games is STARTING yes.

In NMM Plugins empty, exept Skyrim and Update. esm.
Mods NOT installed.

Activated the mods in series of 3.

I will make the story short, after all the mod: Illia Compagnion - Red Head Mage Was for me the problem and I think the Profile 12.3 CAP 1.

So SORRY for my hars words to Skyrim.

Thank you all for helping.

Worked for me too. Uninstalled 12.3 caps and reinstalled 12.2 caps.
Skyrim is now working fine.

Thanks to all in the forum.

When did you install this driver? I would think such a thing should be mentioned if it was as recent a change as I suspect it was.

A few days ago before Skyrim stopped working.