Guide - How to Roll Back Skyrim - New Steam Update Fixes

This guide explains how to revert to an older version of Skyrim after an implicit update, despite the locking system in place from Steam's last update. It will allow you to play until a new SKSE version is released. This feature is useful if you are using an SKSE mod that is not compatible with the previous version or if you don't want to update all mods.

How to fix Skyrim after update

Unencrypt your favorite skse mods

use:

Every time Bethesda updates a game we love, they break compatibility with SKSE and its many add-ons. The best way to avoid this is to block Steam's automatic updates (described below). Problem, if the game has been updated then you're screwed.

Most updates only contain fixes or features to improve Creation Club.

So most of us don't care about them as most bug fixes are already included in the mods and can be found here.

If you are a CC user and using the mod from here you can try this method, undoing is easy and if you run into issues you just need to re-run the update.

How about it?

We will need to restore the old version of Skyrim directly from the Steam servers. To do this, we will use SteamDB to obtain Skyrim's AppID and DepotID, and then use the Depot Downloader command to download the required version.

I'll explain each step below, and you can download a PDF of each Skyrim version directly from the Downloads section, which contains the required command lines.

After following this guide and avoiding redoing all the steps, if you can, backup your entire Skyrim SSE folder ;)

Important tips:

Don't use the number in the screenshot, it's for Skyrim 1.5.39.

The main file of the download section contains commands to roll back to actual version n -1 (current version is 1.5.97/Skse 2.0.17, so the premade file is for 1.5.80/SKSE 2.0.16)

Old files are previous versions (please check skse version to select the required file)

⚠Warning: Some updates change the base game file (update.esm in most cases), just downgrading the exe file is not enough. So please check the steam changelog or perform additional steps)

Step One: How to Block Updates

Go to your Steam "library"

Open "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition" properties (right click on the game entry)

Go to the Updates tab and set it as follows:

Launch the game using the SKSE shortcut (or point the game to skse from your Mods Manager)

</ s> </ s> </ s>

Step 2: Install the software repository downloader

Go to the .NET Core Runtime download page

Click the Download .Net Core Runtime link (Run the application)

Download the latest DepotDownloader version

Unzip it where you need it, in this guide we will unzip it in C:\DepotDownloader

Step 3: Get the information you need

Go to SteamDB and type "Skyrim" in the search field.

</ s> </ s> </ s>

Note the Application ID (circled by the orange rectangle) and click on it.

</ s> </ s> </ s>

Click on the depot tab on the left (orange circle) and note the depot ID (orange circle) that contains the "Skyrim Special Edition exe" file and click on it.

</ s> </ s> </ s>

Click the Inventory tab (orange circle). Select the version you want to download in the list, in this example I've circled the version after April 3, 2018 because that version is the last "verified version". Note its manifest ID.

</ s> </ s> </ s>

Step 4: Download the required files

Open a Windows command line window (press Ctrl + R and type CMD)

Go to the folder where Depot Downloader was extracted:

Type c: and press Enter

Type cd DepotDownloader and press Enter

Use the depot downloader to download the required files*:

Type (without <>) depotdownloader.bat -app <ID> -depot <ID> -manifest <ID> -username <YOURSTEAMACCOUNT> -dir c:\download

Enter your password when asked, then enter your Steam Guard code

Copy/paste the downloaded file into your SSE folder

and voila!

*You can replace c:\download as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can updates be installed if needed?

A: Yes, this is why we block updates, you can run updates by launching the ga …