This guide will provide you with the easiest way to Convert ESPs to ESLs in Skyrim SE.
1. ESPs are plugins, you can recognize them by .esp extensions at the end of the names. ESLs are light plugins and have .esl as an extension. You can only have 255 plugins otherwise things will break but ESLs don’t count toward the max limit of 255. You must remember that ESLs only work in Special Edition not legendary.
2. It is required to install the SSEEdit mod before you can convert the ESPs to ESLs. You can download this mod from “https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/164“. Open the link and click on the Files tab, then press the Manual Download button to get the mod.
3. Now go to your preferred mod manager (Mod Organizer or Vortex) and open the SSEEdit. In the Mod organizer, click on the drop-down menu and select the SSEEdit and press the Run button.
4. Make sure the ESP you want to convert is checked and then click the OK button. You have to wait as it could take time, then click Next and Ok.
5. You will find the “Background Loader: Finished” text at the bottom of the SKSEEdit Messages window which means it’s done.
6. Now expand the ESP you want to convert by pressing the + icon beside the ESP from the left panel and then click on the File header to go ahead.
7. After that, right-click on the empty space next to the “Record Flags” and click on Edit.
8. Wait a bit and then click “Yes” when a warning is shown about the confirmation of the Module editing.
9. And then finally check the box next to ESL and click on the OK button at the bottom right corner. Press CTRL + S to save the changes and click Ok. You can then close the application.
10. The Yellow dot next to the .esp confirms it has changed.
11. Keep in mind that not all ESPs can be converted into ESLs. When saving certain plugins, you may face errors which means they aren’t convertible. Then you need to uncheck those mods and then you can exit and changes will not be saved for that specific ESP. The ESPs that are typically convertible are armor/weapon mods, small mods, and stuff like patches.
