Clean Skyrim install
Clean Install
For anyone looking to clean up their Skyrim install, you don't need to reinstall the whole game, in fact you won't have to redownload most files.
To completely get rid of mods altering the game, you'd need to dig into 3 folders, the main Skyrim folder, Skyrim/Data and Documents/My Games/Skyrim.
1) The vanilla folders in skyrim are Data, DirectX10, DotNetFX, lex, Logs, Papyrus Compiler, reslists, Skyrim and VCRedist.
Files are: Archive.exe, atimgpud.dll, binkw32.dll, CreationKit.exe, flowchartx32.dll, high.ini, low.ini, medium.ini, readme.txt, RendererInfo.txt, Skyrim_default.ini, SkyrimEditor.ini, SkyrimEditorPrefs.ini, SkyrimLauncher.exe, ssce5432.dll, steam_api.dll, TESV.exe, and VeryHigh.ini.
You can safely remove all other folders and files created by third party applications, FXAA injectors/ENB configs, etc.
2) The only essential folders in Skyrim/Data are Interface, Strings and Video.
The rest are added with mods and scripts so you can safely delete them.
Since some mods can modify files in Interface and Strings folders, I recommend to remove them all and recover afterwards, the files are small in size anyway.
Essential files: Skyrim - Animations.bsa, Skyrim - Interface.bsa, Skyrim - Meshes.bsa, Skyrim - Misc.bsa, Skyrim - Shaders.bsa, Skyrim - Sounds.bsa, Skyrim - Textures.bsa, Skyrim - Voices.bsa, Skyrim - VoicesExtra.bsa, Skyrim.esm, Update.bsa, and Update.esm.
You can safely remove all other files and folders.
3) Documents/My Games/Skyrim includes your save games (make a backup!) and two config files, SkyrimPrefs.ini and Skyrim.ini.
Remove these files and let the game rebuild them on launch.
After you've gone through these steps, launch Steam, right click on Skyrim, go to Properties, Local Files and Verify Integrity of Game Cache.
Once the game has finished downloading any remaining or broken files, you're done, your game is as good as after a fresh install!
Clean Save
How to Do a Clean Save
Some mods require a clean save when you uninstall them or when you upgrade to a newer version.
Follow these steps:
1.) It is generally best to go to an interior cell, and smaller cells are best. An interior cell is apparent because you have a loading screen when you "open" the door from the outside (such as when you enter most buildings).
2.) Save your game to a new save slot (do not overwrite an earlier save) and quit the game.
3.) Uninstall the mod.
4.) Start the game and load your last saved game.
5.) After the game full loads, make a SECOND new save (do not overwrite an earlier save) and quit the game.
6.) If you're upgrading the mod that you uninstalled, you can now install the new version.
7.) Start the game and load your previous saved game.
8.) Just to be safe: make one more new save (do not overwrite an earlier save).
9.) That's it!
http://arwenevecom.ipage.com/Skyrim/Skyrim-Tips.htm#Clean_Save
