How to Get Rid of Proteus.dl in Skyrim: A Step-by-Step Guide for a Clean Uninstall

Having trouble removing the Proteus.dl mod from Skyrim? Here’s how to safely uninstall it without leaving any remnants behind.

If you’ve installed the Proteus mod in Skyrim and are now encountering issues or simply want to remove it, you’re not alone. Proteus, while a powerful mod allowing character switching and extensive world modifications, can sometimes cause problems with save files or conflicts with other mods.

If you’re looking to remove the Proteus.dl file completely, it’s important to follow a careful process to avoid corrupting your game. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to properly uninstall Proteus from your Skyrim game without any hassle.

Why Would You Want to Remove Proteus?

Proteus is a great mod, but some players experience bugs like corrupt saves, NPC issues, or mod conflicts. Whether you’re having problems with its functions or just no longer need the features, knowing how to fully remove it ensures your game runs smoothly again. Also, any leftover files or scripts can create errors in your save, so it’s important to do a complete uninstall.

Steps to Uninstall Proteus.dl in Skyrim

Step 1: Uninstall Using Your Mod Manager

Most players use mod managers like Vortex or Mod Organizer 2 (MO2). If this is how you installed Proteus, you can start by:

• Opening your mod manager.
• Locating the Proteus mod in your mod list.
• Clicking “Uninstall” or “Disable” to remove it from your game.

This removes most files but not all—we’ll handle the leftovers next.

Step 2: Manually Delete Proteus Files

Proteus stores additional scripts and data that mod managers might not catch. To fully clean up:

1. Navigate to your Skyrim game directory, typically found at:
   Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim Special Edition\Data\
2. Delete any files related to Proteus in:
   • Scripts
   • SKSE\Plugins
3. Remove leftover Proteus files in your documents folder:
   My Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\JCUser\Proteus

These are where Proteus stores persistent data like character appearances and custom settings.

Step 3: Clean Your Save

Now that the mod is gone, make sure your save file isn’t holding on to leftover data from Proteus. Follow these steps:

• Load your game without Proteus installed.
• Create a new save immediately.
• Reload that save file. This ensures the game wipes any lingering scripts or data from Proteus that could cause problems later.

How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of Skyrim (Optional)

If you’re still encountering issues or want to start fresh, a complete reinstall of Skyrim might be your best option:

1. Uninstall Skyrim through Steam.
2. Navigate to your Skyrim folder (Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim) and delete any remaining files.
3. Don’t forget to also clear out My Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition—this folder stores mod settings and save data, which can sometimes reintroduce old problems.
4. Reinstall Skyrim and only add back the mods you want to keep.

Removing Proteus.dl from Skyrim is a straightforward process if done carefully. Whether you’re uninstalling due to bugs or simply cleaning up your mod list, following the steps above will help ensure no leftover files remain to cause trouble. If all else fails, a clean reinstall can reset your game to a stable state.