[Guide] Resolve Long Load Screen Times w/Borderless Window Mode + ENBoost + SSME

[diznanl]

Hello All,

Below is the solution I found to resolve long load times when using STEP, borderless windowed mode, ENBoost, and SSME.  Prior to the steps outlined, load times were between 1:00-1:20 in borderless window mode.  Now, my game is super stable and load times are now 10-20 seconds max when loading external/world environments and 5-8 seconds when loading interior environments.  I'm also using RealVision ENB FULL, so load times are likely to be even lower for those not using ENB.  I DID transfer my Mod Organizer and Skyrim install to my SSD, and if you have one of those, I'd recommend that as well to help improve load times.

Prerequisites Guide:

• [*]Back-up your Skyrim directory [*]Install Mod Organizer + Configure for use with STEP

https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1334/? + https://wiki.step-project.com/Guide:Mod_Organizer#tab=Welcome [*]Install the latest version of STEP (Core or Extended) and follow all of the instructions for installing ENBoost. https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/11/? [*]Install any additional desired mods with Mod Organizer [*]Install SSME https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/50305/? [*]Run BOSS via Mod Organizer https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/6/? [*]Clean your mods with TESVEdit using recommendations from BOSS [*]

+

[*]Create a bashed patch with Wrye Bash https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/36189/? [*]Create a merge patch with TESVEdit (this should go after the bashed patch in load order) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3Ul301GQXM&hd=1

Guide:

• [*]Set privilege level for Steam.exe and ModOrganizer.exe to Run as Administrator [*]TESV.exe: Set compatibility mode to Windows XP, Disable Desktop Composition (turns off Aero), and set privilege level to Run as Administrator [*]Open enblocal.ini and set ForceBorderless=true and ForceBorderlessFullscreen=true [*]Launch Skyrim via Mod Organizer
  

I realize my Prerequisites Guide is longer than the actual guide itself, but getting the baseline setup correctly is key to making this work.  Feel free to post questions or responses, especially if you're an experienced modder / mod creator / STEP guide manager and you can help correct any steps I may have outlined.  I wouldn't have been able to get such amazing results without the help of this forum.

Thanks,
diznanl

Edited March 20, 2014 by diznanl

[Meemuu]

Sorry, I know it's a bit of a necro, but, seeing as this was relevant to me, (and potentially anyone with loading issues) and solved my load time woes, I thought it would be helpful to let others know that it is working. The only thing I did differently was to set my compatibility to windows seven, as that's what I'm using, but yeah, that's probably assumed. Anyways, nice guide, and thanks!

Edited October 15, 2014 by Meemuu

[TehPenguin]

Necroing again, but yeah, this worked like a charm. I did not follow all the steps since my game is already modded and SSME is outdated but setting TESV.exe to run in XP Compatibility and as an Administrator did the trick for me. Hello fast load times!

[Rylin]

Necroing again and again, but this tweak doesn't work on Win 10 with the Creators update, SKSE reports an application error (0xc000001d) when trying to launch TESV.exe, if someone knows a workaround..

[Elphkun]

Re-re-re-necroing (sorry xD) but I solved this one. Was having killer load time problems myself, and tried to do as directed here - but it's true, running as admin doesn't seem to work anymore. However, another way to do this is to 'take ownership' of the Skyrim installation folder for your user account. Follow the steps here ( https://www.howtogeek.com/301768/how-to-take-ownership-of-files-and-folders-in-windows/ ) on the whole 'Skyrim' folder and you should be good.

[Greg]

You really should not install Steam or the game into Program Files (or any other UAC controlled folder) to avoid permissions issues. You also should not install any tools (like Mod Organizer, LOOT, Wrye Bash, etc.) into the Steam or game folder with the exception of SKSE, ENBoost and an ENB preset that must be installed in the game folder. Running any game as admin is a really bad idea.