Where Does Skyrim SE Store Mods?
Skyrim SE mods live in Data plus manager profiles for MO2 or Vortex. Save files stay separate per the saves post.
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Save files hold Dragonborn progress while mods change the province. Manager installs keep files in profiles outside Data with virtual mounts. Manual installs drop archives straight into Data.
The existing saves post covers game saves; this one covers the mod side. Load order decides everything with masters first. Script extenders sit beside the exe with version matched builds.
Where The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition stores this, by platform
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data
MO2 profiles or Vortex deploys plus manual Data drops, with script extenders beside the exe. Saves live separately per the saves post. Match extender builds to the game version.
<SteamLibrary>/steamapps/compatdata/489830/pfx/drive_c/Program Files (x86)/Steam/steamapps/common/Skyrim Special Edition/Data
Linux runs through Proton with the Windows Data path mirrored inside the prefix. Manage with MO2 through the same prefix and keep profiles per character.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Skyrim mods?
Use Mod Organizer 2 with per profile virtual installs, or Vortex with hardlink deploys into Data. Managers track load order while manual drops into Data work for single files. Keep one profile per character to isolate scripted mods.
How do I back up a modded playthrough?
Copy manager profiles plus Data overwrites with the game quit, plus saves from the saves post. Mods travel as profiles while saves reference plugin indices. Removing a quest mod mid playthrough orphans its stages.
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