Steam Skyrim different languages on the same computer

I and my brother are playing Skyrim from the same computer (using Family Sharing). The problem is that I prefer to play in English but he needs a localized version. There is the localized version in Steam, but each time I switch languages in Steam Skyrim settings, it downloads 3.5 GB of language files. It takes some time to download so have to wait each time before a game, and also I'm a bit worried about my SSD - it's additional 7 GB of writes each day.

So is there a way to not download it each time? I tried to save language files and replace them when needed, but Steam starts download anyway. And I have not found an option to disable auto-update. Maybe it's possible somehow to have 2 different installations of Skyrim from Steam on the same computer? Or have English voice with localized subtitles? That variant would suit us both.

2 Answers

Didn't really find a solution it. You're not the only one though. See this steam community thread
I also found a reddit thread where someone stated that he managed to download both version and run them.

Other suggested to try to download two instances of steam with both language and then run both games from there.

I'd suggest you try to install two steam instances in differente languages, and then install your skyrim in both folders ( or try to copy it and change settings ), so you might be able to run them in different languages.

I know it takes time to download-copy everything and it is annoying, but if it works once you've installed the games both times you don't have to wait everytime

Seems as the only possible solution (for now, I hope) is two Steam installations with the game in each one. Not ideal, requires double disk space, but at least you don't have to wait for download each time.

• Close Steam if it's running.
• Copy Steam.exe from your Steam folder (typically C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam) into a new folder (for example, C:\Games\Steam 2).
• Launch Steam.exe from the new folder, it will download all other files and open your new Steam instance.
• Right click on the game in your library, Properties -> Language tab -> select your second language.
• Install the game as usual (It may be possible to copy the game files from the first Steam installation, but I have not managed to make Steam to see the copied files, so the easiest way is to let Steam download the whole game again).
• Ready! Now, if you need to play the game in the second language, just close Steam, launch Steam.exe from the new folder and start the game from the library.

Thanks @Jubatus and @Nitro.de for pointing me to the solution.