Tips to open ESM file

Can't open the ESM file? You are not the only one. Thousands of users face similar problems every day. Below you will find tips on how to open ESM files as well as a list of programs that support ESM files.

ESM file extension

File Name Elder Scrolls Master Format
File Developer Bethesda Softworks
File Category Game Files

The ESM file is supported on 1 operating systems. Depending on your operating system, you may need different software to handle the ESM files. Below is a summary of the number of programs that support and open the ESM file on each system platform.

Operating systems
  • 4
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

What is ESM file?

The file with the extension ESM is the Game Files file type. The creator of this file is Bethesda Softworks. Game Files consists of 1509 similar files. Elder Scrolls Master Format is supported by 1 operating systems. The file will work on Windows systems, unfortunately not on others. The Creation Kit application is recommended to open the file. It was released by Bethesda Softworks LLC. There are also 3 alternative programs to handle the ESM file. Construction Set, Fallout 3, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion will apply when it is not possible to use Creation Kit.

How to open ESM file?

An often recurring problem with Elder Scrolls Master Format is that ESM is not associated with the correct program file. Thus, when you open ESM, the program selection wizard or some other program starts. How to solve such a problem?

The first thing you should do is just "doubleclick" on the ESM file icon you want to open. If the operating system has an appropriate application to support it and there is also an association between the file and the program, the file should be opened.

Step 1. Install Creation Kit

In this case, you should first verify that the Creation Kit application is installed on the computer. This can be achieved by typing Creation Kit into the operating system search engine. If we do not have this program, it is worth installing it, as it will help you automatically associate the file ESM with Creation Kit. Below you will find a list of applications that support ESM files.

Step 2. Create association of Creation Kit with ESM files

However, it may happen that the application itself does not cause the ESM file to open in the Creation Kit application, but you can set it manually. The association can be created using the drop-down list available by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties. The window will show, among other things, the type of the file and the information by which the program is used to launch the file. Using the "Change" button we can set the program to handle this type. The program should be visible in the window, otherwise it should be selected manually using the "Browse" button and the program installation directory should be indicated. However, it is important to check the "Always use the selected program ..." box, this will allow you to permanently associate the ESM file with the Creation Kit application.

Step 3. Update Creation Kit to the latest version

If, despite the association of the Creation Kit program with the Elder Scrolls Master Format file, the file still does not open, check the program version and possibly update it to the newest version. This can be done using the application (if it provides such options) or from the Bethesda Softworks LLC website and install the latest version.

Step 4. Check for the following problems with the ESM file

If the above steps do not help, you can assume that the file itself is not correct. File problems can be divided into the following:

The affected file may be 0 KB or smaller than expected. This is most often caused by a problem while downloading the ESM file. The file should be downloaded again, making sure that the process has finished correctly.
The operating system may be infected with a computer virus. Perform a virus scan using available and up-to-date anti-virus software. Alternatively, you can use the scanners available online. For the best results, we will scan the entire operating system, not just our ESM file. However, remember that not every infected ESM file can be recovered, so it is important to take care of regular backups.
Older version of ESM file may not always be supported by the latest software version. On their websites, developers usually offer free solutions to such problems, e.g. in the form of a conversion program or an older version of the program.
The file may be corrupted in a number of ways. Depending on the type of file, it is necessary to repair it accordingly. Some programs offer the option of recovering data from damaged ESM files. The easiest way to restore the file is from a backup or by contacting Bethesda Softworks, but this one can be expensive. Not all damage can be reversed.
The program indicates that the file is encrypted or corrupted. The encrypted file ESM except for the special designation, works normally, but only on the device where it was encrypted, before transferring it to another machine, decryption is required.
Some operating systems do not allow file operations in certain locations, eg in system directories or directly on the system drive. These directories are write-protected to them and it's very hard to fix this problem. It is best to move ESM to a different directory.
This problem only occurs with more complex files. You may find that another program you are using is preventing you from working with the file. Closing other programs should help. Sometimes you have to wait for the session to the file ESM to close. Some anti-virus or backup software may occupy the ESM file for a certain period of time. If the problem persists, restart the machine.