Author:
John Stephens
Date Of Creation:
28 January 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
Mod is a method of editing game source code to serve many different needs of the player. To install the Skyrim mod game, you need to create an account at the Nexus Skyrim website. After installing a few mod add-ons, you can start downloading and installing the mod with just a few clicks.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Creating a Nexus account
Access by web browser. This is the top mod website and repository for Skyrim mods, you will find almost all mods here.
Click LOG IN (Login) in the upper right corner.
Enter your email address and password and click LOG IN
If you don't have a nexusmods account yet, click on the link (Sign up here) located below the sign-in field.
Enter your email address in the field provided. Fill in Captcha verification then click VERIFY EMAIL (Email Verification).
Check the verification email in the mailbox. Copy the verification code provided in the email.
Enter your verification code in the field provided, then click VERIFY EMAIL.
Fill out the account creation form. You'll need to enter your username and password and then click Create My Account.
Select a membership package. There is no need to pay to download mods. You can choose a premium plan, or click the link (I'll stick with the basic membership plan) at the bottom of the screen. advertisement
Part 2 of 4: Preparing to install Skyrim
Open Windows Explorer. You need to install Skyrim in a different directory than the one that Steam is normally used. This is because some mods have problems accessing game files in the default installation location which is the Program Files folder on the computer.
- You can click the Folder button in the taskbar, or click ⊞ Win+E to open Windows Explorer.
Open the hard drive. Double-click the primary hard drive to view it. This is usually the C: drive.
Right click and select new → Folder. The new folder will be created on your hard drive.
Name the folder Steam 2. You can name it anything, but this example will make it easy to identify the folder.
Create another folder with the name Skyrim Mods. This folder should be on the same drive as the new Steam 2 folder.
Launch Steam. Now when everything is ready, you can add the folder to the Steam library to proceed with the game installation in it.
Click the Steam menu and choose Settings (Setting).
Click the card Downloads (Download) and select Steam Library Folders (Steam library folder).
Click Add Library Folder (Add library folder).
Browse for the folder you just created. This folder is ready for you to install Steam games, including Skyrim.
Right-click on the Skyrim Steam folder and select Install (Setting). If the game came pre-installed, you'll need to uninstall it first.
- Note: you must have standard Skyrim or Legendary Edition installed. Most mods do not work with Skyrim Special Edition (Remastered).
Choose the new folder from the menu Install under (Installed below). Wait for the game to install. advertisement
Part 3 of 4: Installing essential mod files
Access the Mod Manager website. Access to download add-ons allows you to easily manage Skyrim mods.
Click Download (Manual) (Manual download).
Click the installer link Mod Organizer v1_3_11 installer.
Launch the installer.
Set up the appropriate directory during the installation process. When prompted to choose where to install Mod Manager, get set C: Steam 2 steamapps common Skyrim or whatever folder you created earlier.
Launch Mod Organizer located in the Skyrim folder.
Allows Mod Organizer to process NXM files when prompted. Thus, the installation process directly from the Nexus website will be done easily.
Visit the Skyrim Script Extender website. Access to download SKSE tweaks, this tweaking software is used to extend Skyrim's scripts and is essential for most mods.
Click on the link installer.
Double-click the installer.
Choose the appropriate directory for SKSE. During installation, if prompted to choose a directory for SKSE, get set up C: Steam 2 steamapps common Skyrim.
Launch Mod Organizer from the Skyrim folder.
Click the drop-down menu next to "RUN.’
Click SKSE. You should be able to proceed to change SKSE Mod Manager settings.
Click the "Edit" button.
Choose a position for SKSE. Go to the file skse_loader.exe in the Skyrim folder. advertisement
Part 4 of 4: Install and play the mod
Open the Nexus Skyrim website. Access to start browsing for mod files.
Make sure you are logged in. We must log in to your account to download mods larger than 2 MB (majority).
Find the mod you want to install. Browse in the Nexus Skyrim mod database to find the mod you find attractive. There are countless mods in this database, but overall the installation process will be quite similar thanks to Mod Organizer.
- Watch carefully the mod's instructions and description in case this mod is based on a mod that you have not installed, or requires a special installation process.
Click the Files tab. The mod installation file will appear.
Click Download with Manager. If the Download with Manager button is available, the file will be loaded directly into Mod Organizer.
- If you must use the installer, you will need to navigate to the Skyrim directory.
Stick with that mod for a while. When you first start learning mods, it is best to install each mod one by one and then use it for a while to easily identify the cause of the problem if the game keeps stopping.
Launch Mod Loader and select SKSE to start Skyrim. From now on, you need to launch Skyrim through the Mod Manager in this way. advertisement
Advice
- Some mods depend on other features. If you have completed the above steps and the mod still cannot run, you may be missing some components.
- Sometimes the game may crash. At this point, use Mod Manager to remove the mod that you just installed and proceed to troubleshoot the problem.
Warning
- Some mods will not be compatible with others. If you install some mod and notice performance or game issues, chances are two or more mods are conflicting with each other.
