Because you are using version 1.5.97, you are in a "split" ecosystem.
If you downgraded your Skyrim SE to 1.5.97 (to maintain mod compatibility), you need to be aware of two critical issues:
Issue A: The Creation Kit updates automatically via Steam.
Steam forces the Creation Kit to the latest version (matching the Anniversary Edition data format). This newer Creation Kit can accidentally flag your plugins as requiring version 1.71 (AE) even if your game is 1.5.97. This can cause crashes or "incompatible plugin" errors.
Solution: You cannot download an old Creation Kit from Steam. You must use a third-party archive or use the "Creation Kit Downgraded" tools available on Nexus Mods (e.g., Creation Kit Platform Extended or Backported Extended ESL Support). creation kit skyrim se 1.5.97
Issue B: You actually need the Script Extender (SKSE), not the Creation Kit. Most people searching for this are confused. 1.5.97 requires SKSE64 version 2.0.20. The Creation Kit does not require SKSE.
Unlike standard programs, the Creation Kit is not downloaded from a website directly. It is managed through Steam.
If your game is on 1.5.97, follow this guide: Because you are using version 1
In the ever-evolving world of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, version numbers often dictate the entire modding landscape. While Bethesda has pushed numerous updates to Skyrim Special Edition (SE) over the years, one version stands as a monolith in the modding community: 1.5.97.
For the uninitiated, the Creation Kit is Bethesda’s official modding tool—the same software the developers used to build the game’s quests, landscapes, and dialogues. However, pairing the Creation Kit with Skyrim SE version 1.5.97 is a specific, deliberate choice made by veteran modders. This article dives deep into why this version remains the "gold standard," how to properly set up the Creation Kit for it, and advanced tips to avoid crashes, data loss, and compatibility hell.
Released in early 2019, Skyrim Special Edition version 1.5.97 represents the final build before Bethesda introduced the "Creation Club" microtransaction ecosystem in a mandatory, disruptive way. While later versions (1.6.x and beyond, colloquially known as "Anniversary Edition" or AE) work, they broke thousands of mods reliant on SKSE64 (Skyrim Script Extender). If you downgraded your Skyrim SE to 1
Version 1.5.97 is often called the "Last Great Version" because:
Thus, using the Creation Kit for Skyrim SE 1.5.97 means modding a stable, predictable, and heavily supported framework.