Tuxborn Installation Windows - Omni-guides/Tuxborn GitHub Wiki

This guide covers installing Tuxborn on Windows using the standard Wabbajack application.

• Windows 10/11
• Skyrim Special Edition installed and launched at least once (to download all Creation Club content)
• ~344GB of free disk space (includes both installation and downloads - downloads can be deleted after installation)
• Nexus Mods account (Premium strongly recommended)

Tuxborn requires all Creation Club content downloaded through the in-game Creations menu. This step must be completed before running Wabbajack.

1. Launch Skyrim Special Edition from Steam
2. If prompted to download Creation Club content on first launch, allow it to proceed
3. If no prompt is shown, from the main menu select Creations, then "Download All" to download any remaining content, waiting for each item to show as Installed
4. Exit Skyrim

Screenshot: Skyrim Creations menu with Creation Club content installed

The Rare Curios version issue: Bethesda distributes Rare Curios through Steam (uppercase filenames: ccbgssse037-Curios.bsa) and through the in-game Creations menu (lowercase: ccbgssse037-curios.bsa). Pretty much all Wabbajack modlists that require Creations content need the lowercase version. If you have uppercase files in your Skyrim Data folder, delete them and re-download from the Creations menu before proceeding.

1. Visit wabbajack.org
2. Download the latest Wabbajack.exe

Screenshot: Wabbajack.org homepage with download button highlighted

1. Extract or run Wabbajack.exe from your download location
2. On first launch, Wabbajack will download and install the latest version
3. Wait for the installation to complete

Screenshot: Wabbajack downloading and installing on first launch

1. Launch Wabbajack
2. Click the settings/gear icon in the bottom left

Screenshot: Wabbajack main screen - settings button location

3. Click "Login" to authenticate with Nexus Mods
4. Complete the login process

Screenshot: Wabbajack settings menu showing Login button

Screenshot: Nexus Mods OAuth login page

Note: Nexus Premium is strongly recommended for faster downloads and automated installation.

Before installing Tuxborn, create directories for the installation and downloads:

1. Create a directory for Tuxborn installation (e.g., C:\Games\Tuxborn)
2. Create a separate directory for downloads (e.g., C:\Games\Downloads\Tuxborn)

Recommended Paths:

Installation: C:\Games\Tuxborn
Downloads: C:\Games\Downloads\Tuxborn

Important: Wabbajack recommends installing to a directory near the root of your drive (like C:\Wabbajack for the application itself, or C:\Games\... for modlists). Do NOT install to:

• Program Files or Program Files (x86)
• My Documents, Downloads, Desktop
• OneDrive, Videos, Pictures
• The root level of any drive (e.g., C:\Wabbajack.exe directly)

These Windows OS-managed folders have protection restrictions that interfere with Wabbajack's operation. Keeping installation and download directories separate is recommended and allows you to delete the downloads folder after installation to free up space.

1. In Wabbajack, navigate to the Modlist Gallery
2. Important: Tick the "Non-Featured" checkbox to see Tuxborn in the gallery
3. Search for "Tuxborn" or browse to find it
4. Click on Tuxborn to view details, then click "Download and Install"

Screenshot: Wabbajack Modlist Gallery with Non-Featured checkbox ticked, showing Tuxborn

Screenshot: Tuxborn details card with Download and Install button

1. Set the Installation Directory to your Tuxborn folder (e.g., C:\Games\Tuxborn)
2. Set the Downloads Directory to your downloads folder (e.g., C:\Games\Downloads\Tuxborn)

Screenshot: Wabbajack installation screen with paths configured

1. Review your paths to ensure they are correct
2. Click the "Install" button to begin
3. Wabbajack will begin downloading and installing all required mods (Non-Premium users must select Slow Download)

Screenshot: Wabbajack installation in progress showing download/install status

Installation Time: Installation time varies significantly depending on your hardware - on a fast desktop it may complete in under an hour, while slower systems may take several hours. Download time is separate and depends on your internet connection and whether you have Nexus Premium.

What Happens During Installation:

• Mods are downloaded from Nexus Mods
• Archives are extracted
• Files are organised and installed
• Textures are converted (if needed)
• BSAs are built
• Configuration files are set up

If you encounter errors during installation:

• Failed Downloads: If a download fails, try restarting the installation. Wabbajack will resume from where it left off. If a specific mod continues to fail, you can manually download the mod archive from Nexus Mods and place it in your downloads directory, then restart the installation.
• 7z.exe Errors: These are common and usually resolve with retries. Restart the installation if needed.
• Crashes: Restart Wabbajack and it will resume from where it left off
• Incomplete Installations: If the installation fails to complete, first try restarting the installation. If it still fails, delete the installation directory only (NOT the downloads directory) and start the installation again. The downloads will be reused, saving time.
• Curios Mod Issue: If you encounter errors related to ccbgssse037-curios, you have the wrong version of Rare Curios. See the Prepare Skyrim section above for how to resolve this.

Once installation completes:

1. Navigate to your Tuxborn installation directory
2. Launch ModOrganizer.exe
3. Mod Organizer 2 will open with Tuxborn configured

Screenshot: Mod Organizer 2 showing Tuxborn installation

Tuxborn includes multiple profiles optimised for different hardware:

• Tuxborn - Low-Deck: 40FPS experience on Steam Deck
• Tuxborn - Medium-Handheld: Additional visual quality, higher RAM/VRAM usage. Works on Deck but may have performance dips
• Tuxborn - High-Desktop: Expanded Community Shaders suite, higher INI settings for more powerful PCs
• Tuxborn MCO - Low-Deck: 40FPS experience on Steam Deck, includes MCO Combat Animation Framework
• Tuxborn MCO - Medium-Handheld: Additional visual quality, higher RAM/VRAM usage. Works on Deck but may have performance dips, includes MCO Combat Animation Framework
• Tuxborn MCO - High-Desktop: Expanded Community Shaders suite, higher INI settings, includes MCO Combat Animation Framework

Select your desired profile from the dropdown in the top-left of Mod Organizer 2.

Screenshot: Profile selection dropdown in Mod Organizer 2

1. Ensure your desired profile is selected
2. Click the "Run" button in Mod Organizer 2
3. Skyrim will launch with Tuxborn loaded

Screenshot: Mod Organizer 2 with Run button ready

Screenshot: The Unlock button in Mod Organizer 2 - do NOT click this

Initial Launch Notes:

• Shader Compilation: The game will compile shaders on first launch (one-off process that takes time)

Once loading completes, the Tuxborn main menu will appear. If you see this, the installation was successful and you are ready to play.

Screenshot: Tuxborn main menu - a successful launch

IMPORTANT: Only delete the downloads directory IF TUXBORN WORKS CORRECTLY. Test the game thoroughly - launch it, create a character, play for a bit - before deleting anything.

After confirming Tuxborn works correctly, you can delete the downloads directory to free up space:

C:\Games\Downloads\Tuxborn

Warning: Once deleted, you may need to re-download if you need to reinstall. Only delete after you're certain everything is working properly.

If you need to change resolution or frame rate limits, these settings are located in skyrimprefs.ini.

Wabbajack won't start:

• Ensure you have .NET runtime installed
• Check Windows Defender/antivirus isn't blocking it
• Do not run as administrator - this can cause issues

Downloads failing:

• Check your internet connection
• Verify Nexus Mods login is still active (or perhaps log out/in)

Installation errors:

• Ensure you have enough disk space
• Check that paths don't contain special characters
• Ensure installation paths are outside Program Files and My Documents

Mod Organizer 2 won't launch:

• Ensure all files were installed correctly
• Check Windows Defender isn't blocking it
• Do not run as administrator - this can cause issues

• Tuxborn Discord: Join for support
• Wabbajack Discord: Wabbajack Support
• Nexus Mods: Tuxborn Mod Page

System requirements vary significantly depending on which Tuxborn profile you choose. This section will be updated with specific requirements for each profile.

• Install on an SSD for faster load times
• Close unnecessary applications during installation
• Use Nexus Premium for faster, more reliable downloads
• Ensure Windows is up to date