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__NOTOC__
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[[Category:INI Guides]][[Category:Advanced Topics]]
__NOTOC__[[Category:Configuration Settings]]
''A comprehensive and advanced guide for editing the "SkyrimPrefs.ini" file for n00bs and gurus alike -- by the S.T.E.P. Team''
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<!-- ########### STANDARD GUIDES HEADER FORMAT ############ -->
''A comprehensive and advanced guide for editing original Skyrim's version of the "SkyrimPrefs.ini" file for n00bs and gurus alike''


[http://forum.step-project.com/topic/7990- '''GUIDE FORUM THREAD''']<br />
[https://stepmodifications.org/forum/topic/7990- '''GUIDE FORUM THREAD''']<br />
[http://forum.step-project.com/forum/26-ini-tweaking/ '''INI TWEAKING REFERENCE FORUM''']<br />
[https://stepmodifications.org/forum/forum/26-ini-tweaking/ '''INI TWEAKING REFERENCE FORUM''']<br />
[http://forum.step-project.com/forum/17-general/ '''SUPPORT FORUM''']<br />
[https://stepmodifications.org/forum/forum/17-general/ '''SUPPORT FORUM''']<br />
[http://wiki.step-project.com/Guide:Skyrim_INI '''Skyrim INI Guide''']
[https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/Guide:Skyrim_INI '''Skyrim INI Guide''']
----
----
{{Construction|size=80|text=This guide is a work in progress and is thus incomplete. While all INI parameters are listed (we believe), some of the parameter descriptions may be incomplete or even incorrect!}}
<!-- ######### END standard guide header format ########## -->
=== Guide Scope ===
This guide is intended to be the comprehensive reference to all parameters found within ''SkyrimPrefs.ini'' file for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim game. All of the user-configurable parameters contained within SkyrimPrefs.ini are listed and defined (or hopefully will be). Parameters are presented by INI section headings in the order that they appear by default within SkyrimPrefs.ini. Jump to a relevant INI section using the links below and navigate back to this "hub" using the link that appears at the top of each section page.


{{fs|1.3em|→}} [[/Default_INI|{{fs|1.1em|'''Default SkyrimPrefs INI'''}}]] (runtime 1.9.32.0.8)
{{fs|1.2em|Suggested first reading: [https://stepmodifications.org/wiki/Guide:Skyrim_Configuration_Settings Skyrim Configuration Settings Guide]}}


=== The Basics ===
===Guide scope===
SkyrimPrefs.ini has 118 settings separated into 18 working sections. 15 additional parameters are mentioned here that are commonly placed in this file that are do not do anything. '''Any additional parameters not listed here are most likely invalid.''' Each setting has a lowercase prefix and a name. The name identifies what the setting modifies. The prefix determines what kind of value the setting can accept. Below is a list of the different prefixes and their meanings.
This guide is intended to be the comprehensive reference to all settings found within ''SkyrimPrefs.ini'' file for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim game. All of the user-configurable settings contained within SkyrimPrefs.ini are listed and defined (or hopefully will be). Settings are presented by section in alphabetical order. Jump to a relevant section using the links below and navigate back to this "hub" using the link that appears at the top of each section page.<br />
*''b''-prefix accepts a Boolean value of 1 (true) or 0 (false).
{{fs|1.3em|→}} [[/Default_INI|{{fs|1.2em|'''Default SkyrimPrefs INI'''}}]] (runtime 1.9.32.0.8)
*''f''-prefix accepts a floating point numeral value (any rational number, positive or negative, with or without a decimal, such as 5, 0, or -38.0003).
*''i''-prefix accepts an integer value (any whole number, positive or negative, without a decimal point, such as 5, -38, or 0).
*''r''-prefix accepts a color value in RGB format (e.g. 93,216,234).
*''s''-prefix (also ''S'' and ''str'') accepts a string value (usually text, but may contain numbers, punctuation--anything really).
*''u''-prefix (also ''ui'') accepts an unsigned integer value (any whole number, only positive or 0, without a decimal point, such as 5, 38, or 0).


Many INI settings may be changed in-game, but some changes only work when the setting is in the INI file at startup. You can experiment with many settings in-game by doing the following:
===Settings===
#Press the tilde (~) key to access the console.
SkyrimPrefs.ini has 118 settings separated into 18 working sections. 11 of these are believed to be unused by the game, leaving 107 settings to tweak. 31 additional settings are mentioned here that are commonly placed in this file that do not do anything. '''Any additional settings not listed here are most likely invalid.'''
#Type <code>setini "parameter:category" value</code> where parameter is the name of the setting, category is the section it is under, and value is the value it is to be changed to.
 
#Press enter
===INI parameters by section===
{{INITOC|columns=4|
*AudioMenu
*BlurShader
*BlurShaderHDR
*Clouds
*Controls
*Decals
*Display
*GamePlay
*General
*Grass
*Imagespace
*Interface
*Launcher
*LOD
*MAIN
*NavMesh
*Particles
*SaveGame
*TerrainManager
*Trees
*Water}}


===Credits===
===Credits===
*Tannin for [[Mod Organizer|Mod Organizer's]] Configurator plugin, from which the majority of these values were retrieved.
*Tannin for [[Mod Organizer|Mod Organizer's]] Configurator plugin.
 
*Sheson for some LOD settings.
===INI Parameters by Section===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:65%; border:none; background-color:transparent; padding:25px;"
| style="width:20%; padding:10px 0 0 0;" |
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Imagespace&#93;|[Imagespace]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Display&#93;|[Display]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Grass&#93;|[Grass]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Water&#93;|[Water]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;MAIN&#93;|[MAIN]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Interface&#93;|[Interface]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;GamePlay&#93;|[GamePlay]]]}}
| style="width:20%; padding:10px 0 0 0;" |
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Controls&#93;|[Controls]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Particles&#93;|[Particles]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;SaveGame&#93;|[SaveGame]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;AudioMenu&#93;|[AudioMenu]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Clouds&#93;|[Clouds]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;General&#93;|[General]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;TerrainManager&#93;|[TerrainManager]]]}}
| style="width:20%; padding:10px 0 0 0;" |
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Trees&#93;|[Trees]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Decals&#93;|[Decals]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;LOD&#93;|[LOD]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;Launcher&#93;|[Launcher]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;BlurShaderHDR&#93;|[BlurShaderHDR]]]}}
:{{fs|1.1em|[[#&#91;BlurShader&#93;|[BlurShader]]]}}
|}
 
== [Imagespace] ==
 
==== bDoDepthOfField ====
This enables depth of field, a kind of blurring to imitate the human eye's perception. Recommended to be enabled, but may be disabled for a slight performance gain.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bDoDepthOfField=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== iRadialBlurLevel ====
{{fc|red|This parameter does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files, where Low and Medium is 0, High is 1, and Ultra is 2. It has been empirically verified that changing this setting in SkyrimPrefs.ini has no effect in game, '''but instead must be changed inside Skyrim.ini''', otherwise the default value shall be used (which is 0). However, changing the setting in Skyrim.ini may induce CTD whenever radial blur is applied!}}
<pre>iRadialBlurLevel=</pre>
 
== [Display] ==
 
==== bDeferredShadows ====
This enables deferred shadows. It is dependent upon bDrawShadows.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bDeferredShadows=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bDrawLandShadows ====
This allows land objects such as rocks and mountains to cast shadows. It can be disabled for a slight performance gain.
 
Default is 0
<pre>bDrawLandShadows=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bDrawShadows ====
This enables shadows.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bDrawShadows=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bFXAAEnabled ====
This enables an almost zero-cost approximation of antialiasing using the FXAA technique. Do not use with SMAA or ENB AA.
 
Default is 0. Low, High, and Ultra presets are 0. Medium is 1.
<pre>bFXAAEnabled=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bFloatPointRenderTarget ====
Enabling this allows lighting to be rendered using floating point (decimal) values rather than only integer values. This increases the precision of lighting. It comes with a medium performance impact, and is recommended to be set to 0 if not using ENB. If using ENB, it MUST be set to 1.
 
Default is 0 (although default set by the game without the value present is 1).
<pre>bFloatPointRenderTarget=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bFull Screen ====
This determines if the game is rendered fullscreen. This setting cannot be changed in-game.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bFull Screen=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bMainZPrepass ====
This enables ZPrepass. Enabling ZPrepass tells the game not to render certain object to try to increase performance. It is recommended to remain disabled and to use ENBoost's ZPrepass instead. If set to 1, ENBoost's ZPrepass may not work.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bMainZPrepass=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bShadowMaskZPrepass ====
This enables ZPrepass on the shadow mask. Enabling this tells the game not to render shadows on certain objects to try to increase performance, but seems to fail and instead make performance worse with a side effect of increasing the quality of the shadows that are rendered? It would seem that freeing those resources merely gave shadows more to work with, thereby increasing the quality of the shadows cast, and causing shadows to be set more frequently? It is recommended to remain disabled and to use ENBoost's ZPrepass instead. If set to 1, ENBoost's ZPrepass may not work.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bShadowMaskZPrepass=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bShadowsOnGrass ====
This enables grass shadows. It may be disabled for a slight performance gain.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bShadowsOnGrass=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bTransparencyMultisampling ====
This enables transparency antialiasing. Recommended to be disabled for better performance.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bTransparencyMultisampling=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bTreesReceiveShadows ====
This enables trees to cast shadows on themselves. It may be disabled for a slight performance gain.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bTreesReceiveShadows=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== fDecalLOD1 ====
This sets the initial distance that decals are shown on LOD?
 
Default is 1000.
<pre>fDecalLOD1=</pre>
 
==== fDecalLOD2 ====
This sets the secondary distance that decals are shown on LOD?
 
Default is 1500.
<pre>fDecalLOD2=</pre>
 
==== fGamma ====
This sets the gamma brightness.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>fGamma=</pre>
 
==== fInteriorShadowDistance ====
This sets the distance shadows are rendered indoors?
 
Default is 3000.
<pre>fInteriorShadowDistance=</pre>
 
==== fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd ====
This sets the ending distance leaves are animated?
 
Default is 4600.
<pre>fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=</pre>
 
==== fLeafAnimDampenDistStart ====
This sets the starting distance leaf animations are lessened?
 
Default is 3600.
<pre>fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=</pre>
 
==== fLightLODStartFade ====
This sets the distance when light will begin to fade. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Light Fade''.
 
Default is 1000. Low is 200. Medium is 1000. High is 2500. Ultra is 3500.
<pre>fLightLODStartFade=</pre>
 
==== fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault ====
This sets something to do with meshes in LOD?
 
Default is 256.
<pre>fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=</pre>
 
==== fMeshLODFadePercentDefault ====
This sets the default percentage meshes fade?
 
Default is 1.2.
<pre>fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=</pre>
 
==== fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist ====
This sets the distance meshes begin to fade in LOD?
 
Default is 4096. Low and Medium presets are 4096. High and Ultra presets are 1e+007.
<pre>fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=</pre>
 
==== fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance ====
This sets the distance tree meshes begin to fade in LOD?
 
Default is 2844.
<pre>fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=</pre>
 
==== fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist ====
This sets the distance meshes begin to fade even more in LOD?
 
Default is 3072. Low and Medium presets are 3072. High and Ultra presets are 1e+007.
<pre>fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=</pre>
 
==== fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance ====
This sets the distance tree meshes begin to fade even more in LOD?
 
Default is 2048.
<pre>fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=</pre>
 
==== fShadowBiasScale ====
There are many theories as to what this controls!
 
This may set the amount of shadowing applied to objects. Higher values produce less shadowing, and lower values produce more shadowing. Increasing this may help with shadows popping in at expense to the amount of shadowing.
 
Alternatively, this may change the distance at which mipmaps of the shadow map are used? It might have a cap at 1?
 
Alternatively, this may control the angle that shadows are aligned to surfaces.
 
Default is 1. Low is 0.5. Medium is 0.3. High is 0.25. Ultra is 0.15.
<pre>fShadowBiasScale=</pre>
 
==== fShadowDistance ====
This sets the distance of shadows. It may also proportionately affect the resolution of shadows.
 
Default is 2500. Low is 2000. Medium is 2500. High is 4000. Ultra is 8000.
<pre>fShadowDistance=</pre>
 
==== fShadowLODStartFade ====
This sets the distance shadows begin to fade.
 
Default is 200.
<pre>fShadowLODStartFade=</pre>
 
==== fSpecularLODStartFade ====
This sets the distance specularity begins to fade. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Specularity Fade''.
 
Default is 500. Low is 200. Medium is 500. High is 1000. Ultra is 2000.
<pre>fSpecularLODStartFade=</pre>
 
==== fTreesMidLODSwitchDist ====
This sets the distance trees switch to their LOD versions?
 
Default is 3600. Low and Medium presets are 3600. High is 5000. Ultra is 1e+007.
<pre>fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=</pre>
 
==== iAdapter ====
{{fc|red|This parameter does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files. It has been empirically verified that changing this setting in SkyrimPrefs.ini has no effect in game, '''but instead must be changed inside Skyrim.ini''', otherwise the default value shall be used (which is 0).}} This can be confirmed by observing that setting it to 1 in Skyrim.ini will change the adapter from the default while removing or setting the value to 0 will cause the game to use the default adapter. Conversely, the same experiment shows that the default adapter is still used despite any value entered for it in SkyrimPrefs.ini.
 
Low, Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 0.
<pre>iAdapter=</pre>
 
==== iActorShadowCountExt ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs or in Launcher presets, however it appears to exist within the preset ''files'', where its values for Low, Medium, and High presets are 2 and Ultra is 6.}}
<pre>iActorShadowCountExt=</pre>
 
==== iActorShadowCountInt ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs or in Launcher presets, however it appears to exist within the preset ''files'', where its value for Low is 2, Medium and High is 4, and Ultra is 6.}}
<pre>iActorShadowCountInt=</pre>
 
==== iBlurDeferredShadowMask ====
This sets the amount of blurring applied to shadows. See also iShadowMaskQuarter. Lower values make sharper shadows. It is dependent upon bDeferredShadows being enabled. Higher values make softer shadows. Lowering this value may help reduce the aura or glow around the player. This should be set to at least 1 if using ENB shadows. The higher the value, the worse the performance. There is believed to be a soft cap at 32.
 
Default is 5. Low is 0. Medium is 1. High and Ultra presets are 3.
<pre>iBlurDeferredShadowMask=</pre>
 
==== iMaxAnisotropy ====
This sets the level of anisotropic filtering. It is recommended to be set to 0 and force either driver AF or ENBoost AF in its place.
 
Default is 8. Low and Medium presets are 1. High is 8. Ultra is 16.
<pre>iMaxAnisotropy=</pre>
 
==== iMaxDecalsPerFrame ====
This sets the maximum number of decals displayed per frame.
 
Default is 10. Low is 0. Medium is 10. High is 30. Ultra is 100.
<pre>iMaxDecalsPerFrame=</pre>
 
==== iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame ====
This sets the maximum number of decals displayed on skin per frame. Dependent upon and should be a value equal to or less than iMaxDecalsPerFrame.
 
Default is 3. Low is 0. Medium is 3. High is 10. Ultra is 25.
<pre>iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=</pre>
 
==== iMultiSample ====
This sets the level of antialising. Recommended to leave off and use other methods of AA such as SMAA.
 
Default is 0. Low is 1. Medium is 4. High is 8. Ultra is 16.
<pre>iMultiSample=</pre>
 
==== iPresentInterval ====
{{fc|red|This parameter does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files. It has been empirically verified that changing this setting in SkyrimPrefs.ini has no effect in game, '''but instead must be changed inside Skyrim.ini''', otherwise the default value shall be used (which is 1).}} This can be confirmed by observing that setting it to 0 in Skyrim.ini will turn off VSync while removing or setting the value to 1 enables VSync. Conversely, the same experiment shows that VSync remains enabled despite any value entered for it in SkyrimPrefs.ini.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>iPresentInterval=</pre>
 
==== iScreenShotIndex ====
This sets ?
 
Default is 0.
<pre>iScreenShotIndex=</pre>
 
==== iShadowFilter ====
This sets the shadow filter to be used? 4 may cause CTD? 5 may be buggy? Possibly different variations of (bilinear?) filtering. There may only be 5?
 
Default is 3.
<pre>iShadowFilter=</pre>
 
==== iShadowMapResolution ====
This sets the resolution of shadows (in pixels?).
 
Default is 1024. Low is 512. Medium is 1024. High is 2048. Ultra is 4096.
<pre>iShadowMapResolution=</pre>
 
==== iShadowMapResolutionPrimary ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs or in Launcher presets.}}
<pre>iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=</pre>
 
==== iShadowMapResolutionSecondary ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs or in Launcher presets.}}
<pre>iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=</pre>
 
==== iShadowMaskQuarter ====
This changes the clarity or crispness of shadows. Higher is crisper. See also iBlurDefferedShadowMask. Lowering this value may help reduce the aura or glow around the player, and also increase performance. There is believed to be a soft cap at 32. The way this does this may be a form of aliasing, and perhaps values of 1-3 multisample and values of 4 and higher supersample?
 
Alternatively, this may determine how many quarters of an object are being visually aligned to the players viewpoint where 3 = 75% standard and 4 is 100% with a soft cap at 4.
 
Default is 4. Low and Medium presets are 3. High and Ultra presets are 4.
<pre>iShadowMaskQuarter=</pre>
 
==== iShadowMode ====
This sets the shadow mode to be used? 4 may be buggy in some areas, particularly around waterfalls which may be either too-bright or too dark? There may only be 5?
 
Default is 3.
<pre>iShadowMode=</pre>
 
==== iShadowSplitCount ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs or in Launcher presets.}}
<pre>iShadowSplitCount=</pre>
 
==== iSize H ====
This sets the height of the monitor resolution in pixels. This setting cannot be changed in-game.
 
Default is 480.
<pre>iSize H=</pre>
 
==== iSize W ====
This sets the width of the monitor resolution in pixels. This setting cannot be changed in-game.
 
Default is 640.
<pre>iSize W=</pre>
 
==== iTexMipMapMinimum ====
This sets the minimum mipmap for textures to be used.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>iTexMipMapMinimum=</pre>
 
==== iTexMipMapSkip ====
This changes the texture quality (determined by the number of mipmaps to skip).
 
Default is 0. Low quality is 2. Medium quality is 1. High quality is 0. Low preset is 1. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 0.
<pre>iTexMipMapSkip=</pre>
 
==== iWaterMultiSamples ====
This sets the level of antialising applied to the water. Recommended to leave off and use other methods of AA such as SMAA.
 
Default is 0. Low and Medium presets are 1. High and Ultra presets are 4.
<pre>iWaterMultiSamples=</pre>
 
==== sD3DDevice ====
This setting appears to only be used by the Skyrim Launcher to detect the correct preset. It has been verified that it is not used by the game itself, just the Launcher. If Skyrim is not using the correct graphics card, fix that elsewhere (i.e., the driver).
<pre>sD3DDevice="Name of Graphics Card"</pre>
 
== [Grass] ==
 
==== b30GrassVS ====
This enables DirectX 3 filters on grass visuals???
 
Default is 0. Low and Medium are 0. High and Ultra presets are 1.
<pre>b30GrassVS=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance ====
This sets the maximum distance grass can go before fading.
 
Default is 7000.
<pre>fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=</pre>
 
==== fGrassMinStartFadeDistance ====
This sets the minimum distance grass can go before fading.
 
Default is 400.
<pre>fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=</pre>
 
==== fGrassStartFadeDistance ====
This sets the distance grass will begin to fade. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Grass Fade''.
 
Default is 3500. Low is 0. Medium is 3000. High is 5000. Ultra is 7000.
<pre>fGrassStartFadeDistance=</pre>
 
 
== [Water] ==
 
==== bUseWaterDepth ====
This enables depth effect to water.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bUseWaterDepth=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bUseWaterDisplacements ====
This enables water displacement.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bUseWaterDisplacements=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bUseWaterReflections ====
This enables water reflections.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bUseWaterReflections=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bUseWaterRefractions ====
This enables water refractions.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bUseWaterRefractions=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== iWaterReflectHeight ====
This sets the height of water reflections.
 
Default is 512.
<pre>iWaterReflectHeight=</pre>
 
==== iWaterReflectWidth ====
This sets the width of water reflections.
 
Default is 512.
<pre>iWaterReflectWidth=</pre>
 
 
== [MAIN] ==
 
==== bCrosshairEnabled ====
This enables the crosshair. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Crosshair''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bCrosshairEnabled=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bGamepadEnable ====
This enables the use of a controller. Setting this to 1 fixes not being able to use a controller with the game. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Controller''.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bGamepadEnable=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bSaveOnPause ====
This enables autosaves at intervals of time specified by the length of fAutosaveEveryXMins. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Save on Menu Character'' in combination with fAutosaveEveryXMins.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bSaveOnPause=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bSaveOnRest ====
This enables autosaves upon sleeping. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Save on Rest''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bSaveOnRest=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bSaveOnTravel ====
This enables autosaves upon traveling to different locations. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Save on Travel''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bSaveOnTravel=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bSaveOnWait ====
This enables autosaves upon waiting. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Save on Wait''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bSaveOnWait=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== fHUDOpacity ====
This sets the opacity of the HUD. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''HUD Opacity''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>fHUDOpacity=</pre>
 
==== fSkyCellRefFadeDistance ====
This sets the distance where clouds will fade out?
 
Default is 150000.
<pre>fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=</pre>
 
 
== [Interface] ==
 
==== bDialogueSubtitles ====
This enables subtitles for important dialogue. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Dialogue Subtitles''.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bDialogueSubtitles=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bGeneralSubtitles ====
This enables subtitles for all dialogue. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''General Subtitles''.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bGeneralSubtitles=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bShowCompass ====
This enables the compass.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bShowCompass=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== fMouseCursorSpeed ====
This sets the speed of the mouse cursor (AKA lock sensitivity). It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Lock Sensitivity''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>fMouseCursorSpeed=</pre>
 
 
== [GamePlay] ==
 
==== bShowFloatingQuestMarkers ====
This enables floating quest markers. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Show Floating Markers''.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bShowQuestMarkers ====
This enables quest markers?
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bShowQuestMarkers=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== iDifficulty ====
This sets the game difficulty. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Difficulty''. 0 is easy. 1 is apprentice. 2 is adept. 3 is expert. 4 is master. 5 is legendary.
 
Default is 2 (adept).
<pre>iDifficulty=</pre>
 
 
== [Controls] ==
 
==== bAlwaysRunByDefault ====
This determines if the character will always run by default.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bAlwaysRunByDefault=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bGamePadRumble ====
This enables controller vibration. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Vibration''.
 
Default=1
<pre>bGamePadRumble=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bInvertYValues ====
This determines if the mouse is inverted over the y-axis (up and down movement). It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Invert Y''.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bInvertYValues=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bMouseAcceleration ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting no longer does anything. The game does not recognize it at all. It probably was removed in an official patch due to its unpopularity. It does not appear in game-generated INIs or in Launcher presets.}} It used to allow the mouse to accelerate.
 
Default=1
<pre>bMouseAcceleration=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bUseKinect ====
This enables Kinect.
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bUseKinect=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== fGamepadHeadingSensitivity ====
This determines the controller heading sensitivity.
 
Default is 1.9.
<pre>fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=</pre>
 
==== fMouseHeadingSensitivity ====
This determines the mouse heading sensitivity.
 
Default is 0.0125.
<pre>fMouseHeadingSensitivity=</pre>
 
== [Particles] ==
 
==== iMaxDesired ====
This determines the maximum amount of particles to be rendered.
 
Default is 750.
<pre>iMaxDesired=</pre>
 
== [SaveGame] ==
 
==== fAutosaveEveryXMins ====
This sets the time between autosaves made on a timer in minutes if bSaveOnPause is enabled. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Gameplay menu as ''Save on Menu Character'' in combination with bSaveOnPause.
 
Default is 15.
<pre>fAutosaveEveryXMins=</pre>
 
== [AudioMenu] ==
 
All of these settings can and should be changed in the in-game Settings > Audio menu. The only setting that can reasonably be changed in this section is fAudioMasterVolume, since the in-game menu limits this value to a maximum of 1, and it can be raised higher in the INI. The other values depend upon various mods installed and are limited to a maximum of 7 different sections in addition to the master volume.
 
==== fAudioMasterVolume ====
This sets the master volume level. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Audio menu as ''Master Volume''; however, it can be increased to higher values if set manually in the INI (which will default back to 1 if later you change audio settings in-game).
 
Default is 1.
<pre>fAudioMasterVolume=</pre>
 
==== fVal# ====
See the beginning of this section. This determines how loud this particular section of sound is.
==== uID# ====
See the beginning of this section. This identifies the sound group to be modified in the corresponding fVal#.
 
 
== [Clouds] ==
 
==== fCloudLevel0Distance ====
This sets the distance of the first level of clouds?
 
Default is 16384.
<pre>fCloudLevel0Distance=</pre>
 
==== fCloudLevel1Distance ====
This sets the distance of the second level of clouds?
 
Default is 32768.
<pre>fCloudLevel1Distance=</pre>
 
==== fCloudLevel2Distance ====
This sets the distance of the third level of clouds?
 
Default is 262144.
<pre>fCloudLevel2Distance=</pre>
 
==== fCloudNearFadeDistance ====
This sets the distance where clouds fade as they come close to the player?
 
Default is 9000.
<pre>fCloudNearFadeDistance=</pre>
 
 
== [General] ==
 
==== bEnableStoryManagerLogging ====
This enables story manager logging?
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bEnableStoryManagerLogging=(0,1)</pre>
 
 
==== iStoryManagerLoggingEvent ====
This sets the event for storry manager logging?
 
Default is -1.
<pre>iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=</pre>
 
 
== [TerrainManager] ==
 
==== bShowLODInEditor ====
This enables LOD in an editor?
 
Default is 0.
<pre>bShowLODInEditor=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== fBlockLevel0Distance ====
This sets the distance for the first level of quality of terrain.
 
Default is 20480. Low is 15000. Medium is 20480. High is 25000. Ultra is 35000.
<pre>fBlockLevel0Distance=</pre>
 
==== fBlockLevel1Distance ====
This sets the distance for the second level of quality of terrain.
 
Default is 32768. Low is 25000. Medium is 32768. High is 40000. Ultra is 70000.
<pre>fBlockLevel1Distance=</pre>
 
==== fBlockMaximumDistance ====
This sets the maximum distance for terrain that falls within the second level of quality of terrain?
 
Default is 100000. Low is 75000. Medium is 100000. High is 150000. Ultra is 250000.
<pre>fBlockMaximumDistance=</pre>
 
==== fSplitDistanceMult ====
This is the distance multiplier for the terrain split between the two levels?
 
Default is 0.75. Low is 0.4. Medium is 0.75. High is 1.1. Ultra is 1.5.
<pre>fSplitDistanceMult=</pre>
 
==== fTreeLoadDistance ====
This sets the distance that trees are loaded with terrain?
 
Default is 25000. Low is 12500. Medium is 25000. High is 40000. Ultra is 75000.
<pre>fTreeLoadDistance=</pre>
 
 
== [Trees] ==
 
==== bRenderSkinnedTrees ====
This enables skinned trees.
 
Default is 1.
<pre>bRenderSkinnedTrees=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender ====
This is the maximum amount of skinned trees that can be rendered.
 
Default is 40.
<pre>uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=0 or higher</pre>
 
 
== [Decals] ==
 
==== bDecals ====
This may determine if decals are enabled. {{fc|yellow|It is uncertain that this value is used by the game (it does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files. It is believed that {{fc|white|'''this parameter is supposed to be inside Skyrim.ini'''}} instead.).}}
 
Low is 0. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 1.
<pre>bDecals=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bSkinnedDecals ====
This may determine if skinned decals are enabled. This may be dependent upon bDecals being enabled. {{fc|yellow|It is uncertain that this value is used by the game (it does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files. It is believed that {{fc|white|'''this parameter is supposed to be inside Skyrim.ini'''}} instead.).}}
 
Low is 0. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 1.
<pre>bSkinnedDecals=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== uMaxDecals ====
This determines the maximum number of decals.
 
Dependent upon:
*bDecals=1
 
Default is 100. Low is 0. Medium is 100. High is 250. Ultra is 1000.
<pre>uMaxDecals=0 or higher</pre>
 
==== uMaxSkinDecals ====
This may determine the maximum number of skin decals. This may be dependent upon bDecals being enabled. This may be dependent upon and must be equal to or less than uMaxDecals. {{fc|yellow|It is uncertain that this value is used by the game (it does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files. It is believed that {{fc|white|'''this parameter is supposed to be inside Skyrim.ini'''}} instead.).}}
 
Low is 0. Medium is 35. High is 50. Ultra is 100.
<pre>uMaxSkinDecals=0 or higher</pre>
 
==== uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor ====
This may determines the maximum number of skin decals per character. This may be dependent upon bDecals being enabled. This may be dependent upon and must be equal to or less than uMaxDecals and uMaxSkinDecals. {{fc|yellow|It is uncertain that this value is used by the game (it does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files. It is believed that {{fc|white|'''this parameter is supposed to be inside Skyrim.ini'''}} instead.).}}
 
Low is 0. Medium is 20. High is 40. Ultra is 60.
<pre>uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=0 or higher</pre>
 
 
== [LOD] ==
 
==== fLODFadeOutMultActors ====
This sets the actor fade distance. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Actor Fade''.
 
Default is 6. Low is 2.5. Medium is 3. High is 6. Ultra is 15.
<pre>fLODFadeOutMultActors=</pre>
 
==== fLODFadeOutMultItems ====
This sets the item fade distance. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Item Fade''.
 
Default is 3. Low is 1. Medium is 2.5. High is 7.5. Ultra is 15.
<pre>fLODFadeOutMultItems=</pre>
 
==== fLODFadeOutMultObjects ====
This sets the object fade distance. It is changeable in the in-game Settings > Display menu as ''Object Fade''.
 
Default is 5. Low is 2.5. Medium is 3.5. High is 4.5. Ultra is 15.
<pre>fLODFadeOutMultObjects=</pre>
 
==== fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell ====
This sets the number of cells the sky will be shown before fading?
 
Default is 1.
<pre>fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=</pre>
 
 
== [Launcher] ==
 
==== bEnableFileSelection ====
This determines if the Skyrim Launcher will have Data greyed out and unclickable or not. Setting it to 1 will allow Data to be accessed in the Launcher. It is not toggleable in the Launcher, so one must add the line manually. It has been verified that it is not used by the game itself, just the launcher.
 
Default=0
<pre>bEnableFileSelection=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== bShowAllResolutions ====
This determines if the Skyrim Launcher will show all resolutions. Toggleable in the in the GUI. It has been verified that it is not used by the game itself, just the launcher. 
<pre>bShowAllResolutions=(0,1)</pre>
 
==== uLastAspectRatio ====
The aspect ratio shown in the Skyrim Launcher. 3 is widescreen 16:9. 4 is widescreen 16:10. 1 is standard 4:3 or 5:4. It has been verified that it is not used by the game itself, just the launcher.
<pre>uLastAspectRatio=(4, 3, 1)</pre>
 
== [BlurShaderHDR] ==
 
==== bDoHighDynamicRange ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files, where its value for Low is 0, and Medium, High, and Ultra is 1.}}
<pre>bDoHighDynamicRange=(0,1)</pre>
 
== [BlurShader] ==
 
==== bUseBlurShader ====
{{fc|red|It has been verified that this setting is completely bogus. The game does not recognize the setting at all. It does not appear in game-generated INIs--only ones created by the Skyrim Launcher via the preset files, where its value for all three is 0.}}
<pre>bUseBlurShader=(0,1)</pre>
 
<br />

Latest revision as of 05:29, February 14, 2021

A comprehensive and advanced guide for editing original Skyrim's version of the "SkyrimPrefs.ini" file for n00bs and gurus alike

GUIDE FORUM THREAD
INI TWEAKING REFERENCE FORUM
SUPPORT FORUM
Skyrim INI Guide


Suggested first reading: Skyrim Configuration Settings Guide

Guide scope

This guide is intended to be the comprehensive reference to all settings found within SkyrimPrefs.ini file for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim game. All of the user-configurable settings contained within SkyrimPrefs.ini are listed and defined (or hopefully will be). Settings are presented by section in alphabetical order. Jump to a relevant section using the links below and navigate back to this "hub" using the link that appears at the top of each section page.
Default SkyrimPrefs INI (runtime 1.9.32.0.8)

Settings

SkyrimPrefs.ini has 118 settings separated into 18 working sections. 11 of these are believed to be unused by the game, leaving 107 settings to tweak. 31 additional settings are mentioned here that are commonly placed in this file that do not do anything. Any additional settings not listed here are most likely invalid.

INI parameters by section

Credits

  • Tannin for Mod Organizer's Configurator plugin.
  • Sheson for some LOD settings.