Guide:Skyrim INI

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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Skyrim INI Guide

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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.

The Basics

SkyrimPrefs.ini has 117 + 13 settings separated into 18 working sections. 3 additional sections ([NavMesh], [BlurShaderHDR], and [BlurShader]) and 27 additional parameters are mentioned here that are commonly placed in this file that are not believed to do anything. 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.

b-prefix accepts a Boolean value of 1 (true) or 0 (false).
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).

INI settings may be changed in-game by doing the following:

Press the tilde (~) key to access the console.
Type setini "parameter:category" value 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
Type saveini and press enter. This saves the INI change to the INI files.
Type refreshini. This refreshes the INI settings, hopefully applying the change made.

Credits

Tannin for Mod Organizer's Configurator plugin, from which the majority of these values were retrieved.

INI Parameters by Section

[Imagespace]

bDoDepthOfField

Enables depth of field. Default is 1.

bDoDepthOfField=(0,1)

iRadialBlurLevel

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 this parameter is supposed to be inside Skyrim.ini instead.). Determines the amount of radial blur applied. Low and Medium presets are 0. High is 1. Ultra is 2.

iRadialBlurLevel=

[Display]

bDeferredShadows

Enables deferred rendering of shadows. Dependent upon bDrawShadows. Default is 1.

bDeferredShadows=(0,1)

bDrawLandShadows

Enables landscape shadows. Dependent upon bDrawShadows. Default is 0

bDrawLandShadows=(0,1)

bDrawShadows

Enables shadows. Default is 1.

bDrawShadows=(0,1)

bFXAAEnabled

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.

bFXAAEnabled=(0,1)

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).

bFloatPointRenderTarget=(0,1)

bFull Screen

Determines if the game is rendered fullscreen. Default is 0.

bFull Screen=(0,1)

bMainZPrepass

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 will not work. Default is 0.

bMainZPrepass=(0,1)

bShadowMaskZPrepass

Enables ZPrepass on the shadow mask. 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 will not work. Default is 0.

bShadowMaskZPrepass=(0,1)

bShadowsOnGrass

Enables grass shadows. Default is 1.

bShadowsOnGrass=(0,1)

bTransparencyMultisampling

Enables transparency antialiasing. Recommended to be disabled for better performance. Default is 0.

bTransparencyMultisampling=(0,1)

bTreesReceiveShadows

Enables tree shadows. Default is 0.

bTreesReceiveShadows=(0,1)

fDecalLOD1

This sets the initial distance that decals are shown on LOD? Default is 1000.

fDecalLOD1=

fDecalLOD2

This sets the secondary distance that decals are shown on LOD? Default is 1500.

fDecalLOD2=

fGamma

This sets the gamma brightness. Default is 1.

fGamma=

fInteriorShadowDistance

This sets the distance shadows are rendered indoors. Default is 3000.

fInteriorShadowDistance=

fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd

This sets the ending distance leaves are animated? Default is 4600.

fLeafAnimDampenDistEnd=

fLeafAnimDampenDistStart

This sets the starting distance leaf animations are lessened? Default is 3600.

fLeafAnimDampenDistStart=

fLightLODStartFade

This sets the distance when light on LOD will begin to fade. Default is 1000. Low is 200. Medium is 1000. High is 2500. Ultra is 3500.

fLightLODStartFade=

fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault

This sets something to do with meshes in LOD? Default is 256.

fMeshLODFadeBoundDefault=

fMeshLODFadePercentDefault

This sets the default percentage meshes fade? Default is 1.2.

fMeshLODFadePercentDefault=

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.

fMeshLODLevel1FadeDist=

fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance

This sets the distance tree meshes begin to fade in LOD? Default is 2844.

fMeshLODLevel1FadeTreeDistance=

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.

fMeshLODLevel2FadeDist=

fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance

This sets the distance tree meshes begin to fade even more in LOD? Default is 2048.

fMeshLODLevel2FadeTreeDistance=

fShadowBiasScale

Default is 1. Low is 0.5. Medium is 0.3. High is 0.25. Ultra is 0.15.

fShadowBiasScale=

fShadowDistance

This sets the distance shadows are rendered. Default is 2500. Low is 2000. Medium is 2500. High is 4000. Ultra is 8000.

fShadowDistance=

fShadowLODStartFade

This sets the distance shadows begin to fade in LOD. Default is 200.

fShadowLODStartFade=

fSpecularLODStartFade

This sets the distance specularity begins to fade in LOD. Default is 500. Low is 200. Medium is 500. High is 1000. Ultra is 2000.

fSpecularLODStartFade=

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.

fTreesMidLODSwitchDist=

iAdapter

Low, Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 0.

iAdapter=

iActorShadowCountExt

It is uncertain that this value is used by the game. It is never placed in the game by any normal means, not even by the Launcher, however it appears to exist within the preset files, and would need to be inserted manually. It appears it would control how many actors in exterior areas are allowed to cast shadows. Low, Medium, and High presets are 2. Ultra is 6.

iActorShadowCountExt=

iActorShadowCountInt

It is uncertain that this value is used by the game. It is never placed in the game by any normal means, not even by the Launcher, however it appears to exist within the preset files, and would need to be inserted manually. It appears it would control how many actors in interior areas are allowed to cast shadows. Low is 2. Medium and High presets are 4. Ultra is 6.

iActorShadowCountInt=

iBlurDeferredShadowMask

This sets the amount of blurring applied to shadow edges. Low values make sharp shadows. High values make soft shadows. Default is 5. Low is 0. Medium is 1. High and Ultra presets are 3.

iBlurDeferredShadowMask=

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.

iMaxAnisotropy=

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.

iMaxDecalsPerFrame=

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.

iMaxSkinDecalsPerFrame=

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.

iMultiSample=

iPresentInterval

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 this parameter is supposed to be inside Skyrim.ini instead.). The setting is similar to vertical sync and is believed to fix many engine and physics bugs when left on. Default is 1.

iPresentInterval=

iScreenShotIndex

Default is 0.

iScreenShotIndex=

iShadowFilter

Default is 3.

iShadowFilter=

iShadowMapResolution

This sets the resolution of shadows. Default is 1024. Low is 512. Medium is 1024. High is 2048. Ultra is 4096.

iShadowMapResolution=

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary

This sets the primary resolution of shadows.

iShadowMapResolutionPrimary=

iShadowMapResolutionSecondary

This sets the secondary resolution of shadows.

iShadowMapResolutionSecondary=

iShadowMaskQuarter

Default is 4. Low and Medium presets are 3. High and Ultra presets are 4.

iShadowMaskQuarter=

iShadowMode

Default is 3.

iShadowMode=

iShadowSplitCount

It is uncertain that this value is used by the game.

iShadowSplitCount=

iSize H

This sets the height of the monitor resolution in pixels. Default is 480.

iSize H=

iSize W

This sets the width of the monitor resolution in pixels. Default is 640.

iSize W=

iTexMipMapMinimum

Default is 0. Low, Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 4.

iTexMipMapMinimum=

iTexMipMapSkip

Default is 0. Low is 1. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 0.

iTexMipMapSkip=

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.

iWaterMultiSamples=

sD3DDevice

This setting appears to only be used by the Skyrim Launcher to detect the correct preset. It is not accessed by the game itself. If Skyrim is not using the correct graphics card, fix that elsewhere (i.e., the driver).

sD3DDevice="Name of Graphics Card"

[Grass]

b30GrassVS

This enables DirectX 3 filters on grass visuals??? Default is 0. Low and Medium are 0. High and Ultra presets are 1.

b30GrassVS=(0,1)

fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance

This sets the maximum distance grass can go before fading. Default is 7000.

fGrassMaxStartFadeDistance=

fGrassMinStartFadeDistance

This sets the minimum distance grass can go before fading. Default is 400.

fGrassMinStartFadeDistance=

fGrassStartFadeDistance

This sets the distance grass will begin to fade. Default is 3500. Low is 0. Medium is 3000. High is 5000. Ultra is 7000.

fGrassStartFadeDistance=

[Water]

bUseWaterDepth

This enables depth effect to water. Default is 1.

bUseWaterDepth=(0,1)

bUseWaterDisplacements

This enables water displacement. Default is 1.

bUseWaterDisplacements=(0,1)

bUseWaterReflections

This enables water reflections. Default is 1.

bUseWaterReflections=(0,1)

bUseWaterRefractions

This enables water refractions. Default is 1.

bUseWaterRefractions=(0,1)

iWaterReflectHeight

This sets the height of water reflections. Default is 512.

iWaterReflectHeight=

iWaterReflectWidth

This sets the width of water reflections. Default is 512.

iWaterReflectWidth=

[MAIN]

bCrosshairEnabled

This enables the crosshair. Default is 1.

bCrosshairEnabled=(0,1)

bGamepadEnable

This enables the use of a controller. Default is 0.

bGamepadEnable=(0,1)

bSaveOnPause

This enables autosaves upon pauses. Default is 1.

bSaveOnPause=(0,1)

bSaveOnRest

This enables autosaves upon sleeping. Default is 1.

bSaveOnRest=(0,1)

bSaveOnTravel

This enables autosaves upon traveling to different locations. Default is 1.

bSaveOnTravel=(0,1)

bSaveOnWait

This enables autosaves upon waiting. Default is 1.

bSaveOnWait=(0,1)

fHUDOpacity

This sets the opacity of the HUD. Default is 1.

fHUDOpacity=

fSkyCellRefFadeDistance

This sets the distance where clouds will fade out? Default is 150000.

fSkyCellRefFadeDistance=

[Interface]

bDialogueSubtitles

This enables subtitles for important dialogue. Default is 0.

bDialogueSubtitles=(0,1)

bGeneralSubtitles

This enables subtitles for all dialogue. Default is 0.

bGeneralSubtitles=(0,1)

bShowCompass

This enables the compass. Default is 1.

bShowCompass=(0,1)

fMouseCursorSpeed

This sets the lock sensitivity of the mouse. Default is 1.

fMouseCursorSpeed=

[GamePlay]

bAllowDragonFlightLocationDiscovery

This enables the location of a dragon in flight to be discovered?

bAllowDragonFlightLocationDiscovery=(0,1)

bAllowHavokGrabTheLiving

This allows the player to grab a living person as a havok object?

bAllowHavokGrabTheLiving=(0,1)

bEssentialTakeNoDamage

This makes essential characters never take any damage?

bEssentialTakeNoDamage=(0,1)

bHealthBarShowing

This makes the health bar always show?

bHealthBarShowing=(0,1)

bInstantLevelUp

This makes levelup instantaneous? Leftover Oblivion anti-sleep setting?

bInstantLevelUp=(0,1)

bShowFloatingQuestMarkers

This enables quest marks on objects? It is dependent upon bShowQuestMarkers being enabled? Default is 1.

bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=(0,1)

bShowQuestMarkers

This enables quest markers? Default is 1.

bShowQuestMarkers=(0,1)

bTrackProgress

This enables the ability to track progress?

bTrackProgress=(0,1)

iActorsDismemberedPerFrame

This sets the maximum number of characters able to be decapitated per frame?

iActorsDismemberedPerFrame=

iDetectionPicks

This sets the detection of picks range?

iDetectionPicks=

iDifficulty

This sets the game difficulty. Default is 2 (adept).

iDifficulty=

[Controls]

bAlwaysRunByDefault

This determines if the character will always run by default. Default is 1.

bAlwaysRunByDefault=(0,1)

bGamePadRumble

This enables controller rumble.

bGamePadRumble=(0,1)

bInvertYValues

This determines if the mouse is inverted over the y-axis (up and down movement). Default is 0.

bInvertYValues=(0,1)

bMouseAcceleration

This determines if the mouse is allowed to accelerate as it moves. Or perhaps it used to, as it appears to no longer have any affect in-game.

bMouseAcceleration=(0,1)

bUseKinect

This enables Kinect. Default is 0.

bUseKinect=(0,1)

fGamepadHeadingSensitivity

This determines the controller heading sensitivity. Default is 1.9.

fGamepadHeadingSensitivity=

fMouseHeadingSensitivity

This determines the mouse heading sensitivity. Default is 0.0125.

fMouseHeadingSensitivity=

[Particles]

iMaxDesired

This determines the maximum amount of particles to be rendered. Default is 750.

iMaxDesired=

[SaveGame]

fAutosaveEveryXMins

This sets the time between autosaves made on a timer in minutes. Default is 15.

fAutosaveEveryXMins=

[AudioMenu]

fAudioMasterVolume

This sets the master volume level. Default is 1.

fAudioMasterVolume=

fVal7

This sets the volume level of sound group #7. Default is 1.

fVal7=

uID7

This is the identifier #7 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 0.

uID7=

fVal6

This sets the volume level of sound group #6. Default is 1.

fVal6=

uID6

This is the identifier #6 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 0.

uID6=

fVal5

This sets the volume level of sound group #5. Default is 1.

fVal5=

uID5

This is the identifier #5 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 0.

uID5=

fVal4

This sets the volume level of sound group #4. Default is 1.

fVal4=

uID4

This is the identifier #4 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 0.

uID4=

fVal3

This sets the volume level of sound group #3. Default is 0.5.

fVal3=

uID3

This is the identifier #3 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 466532.

uID3=

fVal2

This sets the volume level of sound group #2. Default is 0.8.

fVal2=

uID2

This is the identifier #2 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 554685.

uID2=

fVal1

This sets the volume level of sound group #1. Default is 0.8.

fVal1=

uID1

This is the identifier #1 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 1007612.

uID1=

fVal0

This sets the volume level of sound group #0. Default is 1.

fVal0=

uID0

This is the identifier #0 of the sound group to be increased. Default is 94881.

uID0=

[Clouds]

fCloudLevel0Distance

This sets the distance of the first level of clouds? Default is 16384.

fCloudLevel0Distance=

fCloudLevel1Distance

This sets the distance of the second level of clouds? Default is 32768.

fCloudLevel1Distance=

fCloudLevel2Distance

This sets the distance of the third level of clouds? Default is 262144.

fCloudLevel2Distance=

fCloudNearFadeDistance

This sets the distance where clouds fade as they come close to the player? Default is 9000.

fCloudNearFadeDistance=

[General]

bEnableStoryManagerLogging

This enables story manager logging? Default is 0.

bEnableStoryManagerLogging=(0,1)

fBrightLightColorB

This sets the level of blue bright light?

fBrightLightColorB=

fBrightLightColorG

This sets the level of green bright light?

fBrightLightColorG=

fBrightLightColorR

This sets the level of red bright light?

fBrightLightColorR=

iStoryManagerLoggingEvent

This sets the event for storry manager logging? Default is -1.

iStoryManagerLoggingEvent=

[TerrainManager]

bShowLODInEditor

This enables LOD in Bethesda's 3d software? Default is 0.

bShowLODInEditor=(0,1)

fBlockLevel0Distance

Default is 20480. Low is 15000. Medium is 20480. High is 25000. Ultra is 35000.

fBlockLevel0Distance=

fBlockLevel1Distance

Default is 32768. Low is 25000. Medium is 32768. High is 40000. Ultra is 70000.

fBlockLevel1Distance=

fBlockMaximumDistance

Default is 100000. Low is 75000. Medium is 100000. High is 150000. Ultra is 250000.

fBlockMaximumDistance=

fSplitDistanceMult

Default is 0.75. Low is 0.4. Medium is 0.75. High is 1.1. Ultra is 1.5.

fSplitDistanceMult=

fTreeLoadDistance

Default is 25000. Low is 12500. Medium is 25000. High is 40000. Ultra is 75000.

fTreeLoadDistance=

[NavMesh]

This entire section is believed to not be used in-game. It and its possible settings are listed here for completion's sake.

fCoverSideHighAlpha

fCoverSideHighAlpha=

fCoverSideLowAlpha

fCoverSideLowAlpha=

fEdgeDistFromVert

fEdgeDistFromVert=

fEdgeFullAlpha

fEdgeFullAlpha=

fEdgeHighAlpha

fEdgeHighAlpha=

fEdgeLowAlpha

fEdgeLowAlpha=

fEdgeThickness

fEdgeThickness=

fLedgeBoxHalfHeight

fLedgeBoxHalfHeight=

fObstacleAlpha

fObstacleAlpha=

fPointSize

fPointSize=

fTriangleFullAlpha

fTriangleFullAlpha=

fTriangleHighAlpha

fTriangleHighAlpha=

fTriangleLowAlpha

fTriangleLowAlpha=

[Trees]

bRenderSkinnedTrees

This enables skinned trees. Default is 1.

bRenderSkinnedTrees=(0,1)

uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender

This is the maximum amount of skinned trees that can be rendered. Default is 40.

uiMaxSkinnedTreesToRender=0 or higher

[Decals]

bDecals

This determines if decals are enabled. Low is 0. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 1.

bDecals=(0,1)

bSkinnedDecals

This determines if skinned decals are enabled. This is dependent upon bDecals being enabled. Low is 0. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 1.

bSkinnedDecals=(0,1)

uMaxDecals

This determines the maximum number of decals. This is dependent upon bDecals being enabled. Default is 100. Low is 0. Medium is 100. High is 250. Ultra is 1000.

uMaxDecals=0 or higher

uMaxSkinDecals

This determines the maximum number of skin decals. This is dependent upon bDecals being enabled. This is dependent upon and must be equal to or less than uMaxDecals. Low is 0. Medium is 35. High is 50. Ultra is 100.

uMaxSkinDecals=0 or higher

uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor

This determines the maximum number of skin decals per character. This is dependent upon bDecals being enabled. This is dependent upon and must be equal to or less than uMaxDecals and uMaxSkinDecals. Low is 0. Medium is 20. High is 40. Ultra is 60.

uMaxSkinDecalsPerActor=0 or higher

[LOD]

fLODFadeOutMultActors

This sets the actor fade distance. Default is 6. Low is 2.5. Medium is 3. High is 6. Ultra is 15.

fLODFadeOutMultActors=

fLODFadeOutMultItems

This sets the item fade distance. Default is 3. Low is 1. Medium is 2.5. High is 7.5. Ultra is 15.

fLODFadeOutMultItems=

fLODFadeOutMultObjects

This sets the object fade distance. Default is 5. Low is 2.5. Medium is 3.5. High is 4.5. Ultra is 15.

fLODFadeOutMultObjects=

fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell

Default is 1.

fLODFadeOutMultSkyCell=

[Launcher]

bEnableFileSelection

Determines if the Skyrim Launcher will allow the selection of plugins in Data. Not toggleable in the in the GUI. It is probably not used in-game.

bEnableFileSelection=(0,1)

bShowAllResolutions

Determines if the Skyrim Launcher will show all resolutions. Toggleable in the in the GUI. It is probably not used in-game.

bShowAllResolutions=(0,1)

uLastAspectRatio

The aspect ratio shown in the Skyrim Launcher. It is probably not used in-game. 3 is widescreen 16:9. 4 is widescreen 16:10. 1 is standard 4:3 or 5:4.

uLastAspectRatio=(4, 3, 1)

[BlurShaderHDR]

bDoHighDynamicRange

It is uncertain that this value is used by the game. Low is 0. Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 1.

bDoHighDynamicRange=(0,1)

[BlurShader]

bUseBlurShader

It is uncertain that this value is used by the game. Low, Medium, High, and Ultra presets are 0.

bUseBlurShader=(0,1)