Unofficial Skyrim Patch: Readme
Version: 1.1 BETA
By Kivan and Arthmoor
1. Description
2. Known Issues, Incompatibilities and Notes
3. Installation (Manual Version)
4. Uninstalling (Manual Version)
5. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
6. Disclaimer
7. Thanks
1. Description
This mod is a joint effort to fix the vast amount of bugs currently existing in Skyrim. If you're experiencing a bug with Skyrim and it isn't fixed by the USKP yet please report the bug on the USKP tracker in as much detail as possible (please search first to ensure you aren't posting something already there; with more than a thousand active entries currently it's very likely it already is!) Bugs include any: typos, levitating trees or rocks, see-through or fall-through walls/objects or other things out of place. These have their own conglomerate entries so that each doesn't get its own and fill up the tracker. To get the exact ID of misplaced objects, open the command console with the ` or ~ key and click the item. Note the ID value (the eight hexadecimal digits at the top, ie 00123ABC) and indicate what's out of place. Thank you for any contributions!
Warning: Only use the Unofficial Skyrim Patch with the latest release version of Skyrim patched through Steam! Using it on an older version may cause bugs or things not to be fixed that were advertised as such! It will of course be updated to match each official update, including having fixes removed that are included in official updates.
2. Known Issues, Incompatibilities and Notes
- Possible crashes on quit to Main Menu: The USKP (and other mods) can sometimes cause Skyrim to crash when quitting to the main menu (Esc menu -> Quit -> Main Menu). This doesn't cause any problems as the player was quitting anyways and can just relaunch (which is a better idea than reloading in-game anyways as it ensures that leftover session data is cleared) but it still shouldn't happen. It's probably caused by the engine cleaning up the active session and finding data it doesn't like.
- Possible missing statics objects in interiors: The USKP (and other mods) may cause temporary missing statics (walls, floors) in interiors if more than one mod is active; it has never been observed with just one, and may occur in cells that neither mod even touch. This also seems to be an engine problem with layering. Usually, quitting and reloading will resolve the problem. Currently, its cause is unknown.
- A Mod Manager is recommended: If you're reading this (which means you've opened the archive directly) and you're new to using mods, it's recommended to use a mod manager such as Nexus Mod Manager to install and manage your mods, or to get them through Steam Workshop. This will prevent problems of conflicts, leftover files after uninstallation and other issues. This is especially important now in Skyrim with script files, as since they are separate from the ESP they can overwrite other script files and thus override even if the mod is earlier-loaded, and remain behind still active if it's uninstalled. If you use many mods, it's also recommended to use BOSS to prevent load order problems.
3. Manual Installation
1.) Extract the contents of Unofficial Skyrim Patch.7z, except for the FOMod folder (which is used by Nexus Mod Manager) into your Skyrim\Data folder. The default location is C:\Program files\Steam\Steamapps\common\skyrim\data.
2.)Check Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp in the Skyrim launcher if it isn't (it should already be after installation.)
3.)Using the arrow buttons, move Unofficial Skyrim Patch.esp so that it's the topmost .esp file (but under .esm files, if any.) This is so that it loads first and thus doesn't undo other mods' changes. This is very important if you use other mods.
4.)Click Play and enjoy your much-improved Skyrim.
4. Uninstalling (Manual Version)
1.) Use the Unofficial Skyrim Patch.7z archive as a reference to what files you need to delete.
NOTE: On the off-chance that removal of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch causes your gamesaves which it was active in to fail loading, go to an untouched area (enter coc qasmoke into the console to get to a test cell, save your game then quit and remove the Unofficial Skyrim Patch, then cow tamriel 0,0 will return to the center of the gameworld.)
5. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Question: How come {my unfavorite bug} isn't fixed yet?
Answer: It's just getting started. This is now when the subtle and devious quest bugs are coming out of the woodwork, so expect many of those to get fixed soon. The Unofficial Oblivion Patch including the Shivering Isles and DLCs took over three years to get to a near-complete state. I expect this will take about two.
Q: What other fix mods does the USKP replace?
A: You can find an ongoing list in this tracker entry. Mods that the USKP partially or completely duplicates the function of are in italics.
Q: What if Bethesda Softworks fixes something the USKP already does?
A: Then, if it's fixed compeletely, the change will be removed from the USKP.
Q: Will I have to start a new game for the Unofficial Skyrim Patch to work?
A: Nope, the fixes were made to work on both new and existing games through some very minor changes (position of some objects) will only work in a new game or if you haven't visited that area in the game yet; not worth restarting over.
Q: I don't want to/can't install the latest official patch... can I still use the Unofficial Skyrim Patch?
A: Yes you can, but some fixes (especially script-based) may not work, and it may exacerbate some existing bugs if you don't run it with version of Skyrim it was created for, so use it at your own risk!
Q: Can I use the Unofficial Skyrim Patch with versions of Skyrim in other languages? Will any text fixes appear in English in my non-English Skyrim?
A: It will work with non-English versions, but unfortunately, yes, text will appear in English. Editing the Strings resource files can be done to cause text fixes to only show on the English version of Skyrim, but as these are original resource files, Steam will end up replacing them with the original unmodified ones without asking. The only way I know of to keep the changes is hard-code them in the ESP. Check the USKP's official forums' thread for links to translated versions. If you wish to create a translated version, please advise at the forums' thread and provide a link to it when completed.
Q: Are the scripting source .PSC files included?
A: Of course... they are in the \Data\Scripts\Source folder in both the manual/NMM 7-Zip archive, and in the .BSA archive for the Steam Workshop version.
Q: Do I need to use previous versions of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch to get all the fixes?
A: No, the latest version includes all previous fixes. The only ones that would be removed are ones that were fixed officially or were determined to be broken or cause problems.
Q: So I've installed the Unofficial Skyrim Patch but it still shows the same version number in Skyrim. Is something wrong?
A: Nothing is wrong: the Unofficial Skyrim Patch doesn't touch any original Skyrim resources, so won't change the version number ever.
6. Disclaimer
The Unofficial Skyrim Patch is provided free and "as is" for use at your own risk; the creators cannot be held responsible/liable for anything that happens while using it. It is recommended to only use the Unofficial Skyrim Patch with the version of Skyrim it was created for. This product is not created by, nor associated with, Bethesda Game Studios, Bethesda Softworks, Zenimax Media, nor any of their affiliates. Feel free to host the Unofficial Oblivion Patch anywhere you want but only in its original, unmodified package, please do not release your own modified versions of it. Feel free to use any of the Unofficial Skyrim Patch's fixed resources (NIF, DDS, etc.) in your mods.
7. Thanks
AndalayBay - For hosting the USKP Beta at Dark Creations and providing it a forum, and for help with porting bugs over to Bugzilla.
Arthmoor - For numerous quest, placement, and general fixes, help with the bug tracker, and for taking over support for the project in July of 2012.
BlueDanieru - For the Ancient Knowledge fix
Brumbek - For the fixed Thalmor Embassy building and entranceway
MadCat221 - For the fixed female Blades, Ebony, Iron (and Banded) Steel (and Plate) Cuirasses
Martigen, ThrottleKitty and Amgepo - For the fixed permanent remains and stacking Nirnroot glows
Phitt - For the fixed male Ebony Cuirass
PrinceShroob - For numerous fixes to quests, NPCs, items and more
DayDreamer - For help with porting the bug tracker over to Dark Creations and for help with fixing bugs
Jackstarr - For the audio fix correcting "Morang Tong" -> "Morag Tong"
And finally a big thanks to everyone else who reported bugs or sent in bugged gamesaves!