Noob Skyrim Reinstall Experiment - Gone Wrong?

I apologize if this post really belongs on r/SkyrimHelp. It technically doesn't involve any mods, but I did run into the problem while experimenting on creating a Vanilla Skyrim Install for modding. I technically didn't need to, but I did, and unfortunately, I have a problem.

OS: Win 8.1 Pro x64

I had installed the Skyrim Legendary Edition (with HRDLC) and the Creation Kit. To create the vanilla install, I did the following:

• Delete Local Content for Skyrim through Steam.

• Delete Local Content for the Creation Kit through Steam

• Delete D:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\common\Skyrim

• Delete Documents\Skyrim

• Delete C:\Users<username>\AppData\Local\Skyrim

After that, I simply asked Steam to re-install both the CK and Skyrim LE. Things went smoothly. A while after, I had to cancel making a 7z Vanilla backup (this won't have any effect, but noting just in case). I did end up making that backup a while later. The only thing of note here is that 7z simply shut down automatically after making the zip. It didn't wait on exit. This might be normal behavior, but I haven't been using it long - I use WinRar normally - and it is really slow...

At this point, I noticed that:

• There is no Documents\my games\Skyrim folder

I rebooted hoping that it would solve the problem. All that did was restore some of my saves from earlier (vanilla saves, no mods). I wish I could turn that feature off for Skyrim. I'm not sure you can do that on a per-game basis though.

At this point, I further noticed that:

• No ini files in the Documents\Skyrim folder - there should be some, even though the launcher will create these files on first launch.

• No AppData\Local\Skyrim folder!

Important Note: I am well aware of the S.T.E.P. Procedure and the similar guide from the S.T.E.P. F.A.Q. that save time on this process.

Questions:

1. Has something gone wrong? My thought is that this is normal and that I have to create the .ini files by starting Skyrim via the launcher.

2. I believe I should do a re-install anyway. Should I try and uninstall from the Windows Control Panel this time? Perhaps after the Delete Local Content step?

3. Gamer Poets on youtube has done an uninstall-reinstall of Skyrim that seems to avoid this directory-creation issue. I am not quite sure how he achieved it. If any of you guys know, that may be the correct procedure to understand/fix my issue.

4. Any further help and advice is most appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

EDIT: Added further thoughts to the Questions section.

Update 1: As predicted the other files were created the moment I launched the Skyrim Launcher via. Steam. I have used 7z to backup those folders as well. I also ran a Verify Integrity from Steam and that was fine except for the usual one file. Clearly, the Skyrim installer works differently after the first install for some unfathomable reason. I am still interested in a proper re-install procedure that will give me first-time install behaviour. Yes, I know this doesn't matter, but it drives me nuts that something has been set to behave differently per-install for some reason. I will try a re-download leaving the SteamApps\Common\Skyrim folder intact after deleting all local content this time. I'll also check for Control Panel uninstall options . I'll report back after.

Update 2: Skyrim re-installed. The ini files don't turn up even with installscript.vdf intact in the skyrim folder. This is as Vanilla as I can get. Pity I didn't back up the folders on my first install...For now, it is confirmed that I have observed a feature and not a bug. It's a terrible one, for me, at least. Install behaviour shouldn't really change like this. Anyhow, I already made the backups of the previous install and the generated scripts. This install is ready, so I can generate ini files and actually get started modding by installing MO. If any of you have any insight into the matter, it would be greatly appreciated.