Should I Clean My Skyrim Mods? A Comprehensive Guide

The question of whether or not to clean your Skyrim mods is a complex one, fraught with potential pitfalls and significant benefits. In short: proceed with caution. While cleaning mods can resolve certain issues like crashes to desktop (CTDs) and other instability problems, it’s not a universal solution and can, in some cases, actually break your game. The golden rule is: always research before you clean. Understand what you’re cleaning, why you’re cleaning it, and what the potential consequences might be. Cleaning should be a deliberate action, not a blind application of a tool.

Understanding Mod Cleaning: The Basics

Before diving into the “should you” aspect, let’s understand what “cleaning” actually entails. When we talk about cleaning mods in the context of Skyrim (or any Bethesda game, really), we’re primarily referring to removing two types of problematic edits:

• Identical to Master (ITM) Records: These are records within a mod that are exactly the same as the corresponding record in one of the game’s master files (Skyrim.esm, Update.esm, etc.). They’re redundant and, at worst, can override intended changes from other mods.
• Deleted Records (UDRs): These are records that have been completely removed from the mod. If another plugin depends on a UDR, the game will likely crash when it tries to access the missing information. UDRs are generally considered more dangerous than ITMs.

Why Clean Mods?

The goal of cleaning is to reduce the potential for conflicts between mods and improve overall game stability. By removing unnecessary or problematic edits, you can, in theory, create a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience. The idea is to eliminate clutter and potential sources of errors that can lead to CTDs, broken quests, and other issues.

When Not to Clean Mods

However, cleaning isn’t a free pass to a crash-free Skyrim. Some mods require certain “dirty edits” to function correctly. Cleaning these mods can render them useless or even cause new problems. This is particularly true for mods that deliberately override vanilla game behavior or implement complex scripting. Always defer to the mod author’s instructions. If the author specifically states not to clean their mod, heed their warning.

A Step-by-Step Approach to Cleaning

If you’ve determined that a mod should be cleaned, here’s a general outline of how to proceed:

1. Identify Potential Candidates: Tools like LOOT (Load Order Optimization Tool) can identify mods that contain ITMs or UDRs. However, LOOT’s recommendations should be treated as suggestions, not mandates.
2. Research the Mod: Before cleaning, search online forums (like the STEP Project forums, Nexus Mods, etc.) to see if other users have reported problems after cleaning the specific mod in question.
3. Back Up Your Mod: Always create a backup of the mod file before making any changes. This allows you to revert to the original version if something goes wrong.
4. Use TESEdit (xEdit): This is the standard tool for cleaning mods. Download and install it, and then run it with administrator privileges.
5. Load the Mod: In TESEdit, select the mod you want to clean and load it.
6. Apply Cleaning: TESEdit will identify ITMs and UDRs. Right-click on the mod in the left panel and select “Apply Filter for Cleaning.”
7. Remove Identical Master Records: Right-click on the mod again, select “Remove Identical to Master Records.”
8. Save the Mod: After cleaning, save the mod file. TESEdit will create a backup of the original file in case you need to revert.
9. Test Your Game: After cleaning, launch Skyrim and test the mod to make sure it’s still functioning correctly.

Considerations for Skyrim Special Edition and Anniversary Edition

The process for cleaning mods in Skyrim Special Edition (SSE) and Anniversary Edition (AE) is largely the same as in the original Skyrim. However, the increased stability of these versions means that cleaning is often less necessary. Furthermore, the introduction of Creation Club content requires extra caution. Never clean the official Creation Club plugins.

The Role of BOSS (Better Oblivion Sorting Software)

While BOSS is outdated, its core principle remains valid: prioritize the mod author’s instructions over automated recommendations. If BOSS (or LOOT) suggests cleaning a mod, but the author explicitly states not to, trust the author.

Key Takeaways

Cleaning Skyrim mods can be a valuable tool for improving game stability, but it’s not a risk-free process. Always prioritize research, back up your files, and heed the mod author’s instructions. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and leave the mod as is.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Cleaning Skyrim Mods

1. Is it safe to clean Update.esm and other master files?

Absolutely not. Never clean the master files (Skyrim.esm, Update.esm, Dawnguard.esm, HearthFires.esm, Dragonborn.esm). These files are essential for the game to function, and cleaning them will almost certainly break your game.

2. Should I clean Creation Club content?

No. Do not clean Creation Club content. These plugins are designed to work as-is, and cleaning them can cause unexpected issues.

3. What happens if I clean a mod that shouldn’t be cleaned?

The results can vary, but common outcomes include:

• The mod stops working entirely.
• The mod functions improperly, with missing features or broken quests.
• The game crashes when the mod is loaded.
• The game exhibits other unexpected bugs or glitches.

4. How do I revert a mod back to its original state after cleaning it?

If you followed the recommendation to back up your mod before cleaning, simply delete the cleaned version and replace it with the backup.

5. Does LOOT automatically clean my mods?

No, LOOT does not automatically clean mods. It only suggests which mods might benefit from cleaning. The actual cleaning process must be performed manually using TESEdit.

6. What is TESEdit (xEdit), and where can I get it?

TESEdit (also known as xEdit) is a powerful tool for editing and cleaning Skyrim mods. You can download it from the Nexus Mods website. There are different versions for Oldrim (Original Skyrim), SSE (Special Edition) and Skyrim VR.

7. What’s the difference between ITMs and UDRs?

ITMs (Identical to Master Records) are redundant records that duplicate information already present in the game’s master files. UDRs (Deleted Records) are records that have been completely removed from the mod. UDRs are generally considered more problematic.

8. Does cleaning mods improve performance?

Cleaning can improve performance slightly by removing unnecessary data. However, the performance gains are usually negligible, especially on modern hardware. The primary benefit of cleaning is to improve stability and reduce the risk of crashes.

9. I cleaned a mod, and now my game crashes. What do I do?

The first step is to revert the mod to its original state using your backup. If the crashes persist, the issue may be unrelated to the cleaning process.

10. How can I tell if a mod needs cleaning?

LOOT can identify mods that contain ITMs or UDRs. However, the best approach is to research the mod and consult the author’s instructions. If the mod author doesn’t mention anything about cleaning, it’s generally best to leave it alone.

11. Is it safe to clean mods that add new items or quests?

It depends on the mod. Some mods that add new content are safe to clean, while others are not. Research the specific mod before cleaning.

12. What are “dirty edits” in Skyrim mods?

“Dirty edits” refer to ITMs and UDRs, as well as other potentially problematic modifications to game data. These edits can be unintentional side effects of mod creation.

13. Is it illegal to modify Skyrim?

No, modifying Skyrim is not illegal, as long as you are not distributing copyrighted assets without permission.

14. I’m new to modding. Should I start cleaning mods right away?

No. Focus on installing and managing your mods first. Understanding load orders and conflict resolution is more important than cleaning at the beginning. Cleaning should be considered as an advanced troubleshooting step.

15. Where can I learn more about modding and game development?

The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) is a great resource for learning about game development, game design, and the educational aspects of gaming. They offer valuable resources and insights into the world of game creation and modding. Also, check out the STEP Project Wiki, the Nexus Forums, and other online communities dedicated to Skyrim modding for in-depth guides and support.