Once SKSE is installed, you should immediately install these foundational mods for a stable experience:

: SKSE versions are hard-coded to specific Skyrim executables. For Skyrim 1.5.97, you must use SKSE64 version 2.0.17 .

Paste these files directly into your main Skyrim Special Edition folder (where SkyrimSE.exe is located, the Data folder).

If you are currently on version 1.6.640 or higher, you cannot simply "install" SKSE 1.5.97. You have to downgrade your game. Here is the step-by-step process that the community trusts.

No, it’s not a secret code or a forgotten patch note. It is the final version of Skyrim Special Edition before the "Anniversary Edition" (AE) update broke half the modding scene.

is the final "Special Edition" release before Bethesda began heavily updating the game to "Anniversary Edition" (1.6.x+).

Before you do anything, you must stop Steam from forcing an update that will break your SKSE setup.