INI Files

About the default INI files.

Vanilla INI Files

Various settings for Skyrim can be configured in a set of INI files:

Skyrim.ini
SkyrimPrefs.ini

Both can be found in the \Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\ folder.

These INI files were regenerated during the Clean Install and a performance preset (low, medium, high, etc) was applied when opening the launcher for the first time.

There is also a SkyrimCustom.ini which does not exist in vanilla but can be created in the same directory to overwrite the other two INIs.

You can restore the set of vanilla INIs in the Documents folder by deleting them and launching the game through Steam. In the Launcher, you will be informed that the game will configure your settings (applying a preset) after which you can quit.

Valid Settings

Not all settings are valid in all INI files.

Skyrim.ini can modify all settings valid in the game except those specific to the Launcher.
SkyrimCustom.ini can modify all settings valid in the game except those specific to the Launcher.
SkyrimPrefs.ini can modify a limited range of settings (documented here).

The catch is that duplicate INI settings are overwritten in the following order:

SkyrimPrefs.ini » SkyrimCustom.ini » Skyrim.ini

For example, if bFXAAEnabled= is set to 1 in the Skyrim.ini and set to 0 in the SkyrimPrefs.ini, the latter will overwrite and FXAA will be off (0) ingame.

Plugin INIs

INIs can also be attached to plugins (ESP, ESL, ESM). Similar to BSAs, they are loaded if they have the same name as the plugin.

Any setting that is not valid in the SkyrimPrefs.ini can be added to a plugin INI.

Plugins that load INI files are displayed with a paper clip icon in the load order.

Plugin with INI

INI Files and MO2

Profile-Specific INIs

Going forward, I recommend not bothering at all with the default set of INIs, nor with the Settings in the launcher through which some of their lines can be modified.

Instead, make use of your profile-specific INIs in Mod Organizer 2. Each profile in a MO2 instance can hold a unique set of INIs that will replace the default ones when the game is started with that profile selected.

To enable profile-specific INI files, open the profile settings and ensure Use profile-specific Game INI files is enabled. These INI files will be saved under \Mod Organizer 2\profiles\<your profile>\.

BethINI is able to target profile-specific INIs.

When copying a profile in Mod Organizer 2, the profile-specific INI files will also be copied.

Modifying INIs through MO2

You can view and edit all INI files through the INI Editor in Mod Organizer 2. It will display the profile-specific set if that option is enabled, and the default set from the Documents folder if it is not.

When modifying INIs through the INI Editor always remember to click the Save button at the bottom.

MO2 Open INI Editor

INI Configuration

I recommend customising the INI files using the tool BethINI. You can find instructions here.

Last modified April 12, 2024