.ini Variables
The SkyrimPrefs.ini is located in Documents\My Games\Skyrim. Make a backup as usual.

Interesting variables are as follows, in order of appearance in the .ini and showing their default settings.
bDoDepthOfField=1
bTreesReceiveShadows=0
bDrawLandShadows=0
bShowFloatingQuestMarkers=1
bShowQuestMarkers=1
bShowCompass=1
bMouseAcceleration=1
fAutosaveEveryXMins=15.0000

FOV adjustment
Have found no way to change FOV outside the game so far (only the fov n console command like Oblivion). Changing the FOV via the in-game console carries over between reloads and sessions. Here are some comparison screenshots. They were taken at 1920x1080, and there wasn't much fisheye at 100 degrees. I settled at 95 degrees.

• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493447867061?tab=all
  
• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493447865212/?tab=all
  
• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493447863327/?tab=all
  
• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493447870656/?tab=all

Comparison of bTreesReceiveShadows and bDrawLandShadows values

• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493449604154/?
  
• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493449599134/?

Obviously having TreesReceiveShadows on gives trees tons more depth.

• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493449949034/?
  
• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493449952109/?

The rock casts subtle shadows on itself, basically. Note that the larger shadows are unaffected; this is a subtle effect, but an important one, I think.

For me there was no performance hit having them on, but your mileage may vary. Game was running at 1920x1080 on default High settings, except for 2x AA and draw distances set to 7 for all (I think the object and actor draw distances are lower by default). Specs are:
i5 2500K 3.3Ghz, OC to 4.5Ghz
GTX 570 1280MB OC
GTX 460 SE 1000MB for PhysX
DDR3-1600Mhz RAM, 8GB
Win 7 HP 64-bit

GREAT we can disable Quest Markers and Compass

SHWEEEEEET

I was so happy when I saw it.

The bDrawLandShadows is good too. It makes rocks and stuff cast shadows.

Mind testing what bTreesReceiveShadows does? Always curious about these things.

Hello,

Is it possible to change "1 to 8" hotkeys like in Oblivion (via ini file), or directly ingame ?
Thanks in advance.

That's good to know, thanks! =)

It appears not. There is a quick menu for weapons and items (Q key) and a quick menu for magic (P key), though. The game pauses as you select the thing.

A single tear... bla bla. Great. Was just talking to my wife yesterday about how all the modern RPGs screw this one up.

Pfff... so no way to change FOV, no way to change "1-8" hotkeys ?!... -.-'
Thanks anyway for your answer Desi.

Based on the wording of the thing, I am guessing that it does something similar to Shadows on Grass did in Oblivion: allows things like geometry and dragons and whatnot to cast shadows on trees themselves.

And yes, FOV is changeable, Thanatos. Type FOV followed by a number into the in-game console. The OP has comparison screenshots of different values.

I think you can change FOV, OP has pics. It's with a console command, so if you'r eon console I guess not?

They are off by default?

Nope, I'll play on PC. But in Obli to change FOV via the console was buggy. Maybe it's ok now, but is FOV saving when the game is reloaded ?

They are, yes. When I finish updating my drivers I'll do comparison shots.

Changing FOV on console works fine for Skyrim, but I don't know if it saves between sessions or reloads. Will check.

Many thanks Desi

Very nice, thank you. Was hoping for a thread like this to pop up already, my first ten minutes with the game shall be lots of tweaking, whoop.

-Edit- Was just wondering if you wouldn't mind taking a before/after screenshot of bTreesReceiveShadows=0 + bDrawLandShadows=0 in the same location perhaps with fps shown (tdt) so we can see the hit.

Same here.

I always spend the first minutes of any game trying to find the best balance between eye candy and performance.

can you still make saves with the console?

Great!

So the console commands we're all used to would pretty much work here too? (tdetect, tgm, tcl, tai, ect)

what is it exactly FOV does?

What is the default FOV in Oblivion btw?

Oh you and the other guy who asked for this will be so happy. Here they are:

• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493449604154/?
  
• http://steamcommunity.com/id/pelagius/screenshot/632982493449599134/?

Obviously having TreesReceiveShadows on gives them tons more depth. Land Shadows aren't obviously different in this shot, so we'll have to try and find a good example. Maybe when the sun is up.

For me there was no performance hit, but your mileage may vary. Game was running at 1920x1080 on default High settings, except for 2x AA and draw distances set to 7 for all (I think the object and actor draw distances are lower by default). Specs are:
i5 2500K 3.3Ghz, OC to 4.5Ghz
GTX 570 1280MB OC
GTX 460 SE 1000MB for PhysX
DDR3-1600Mhz RAM, 8GB
Win 7 HP 64-bit

Thanks Desi, look forward tp seeing the results, I'd aassumed the mountains already cast shadows, never really looked that closely at the images they've release, I hope they look good, should be cool for sunsets over the mountains.

More fits on your screen sort of I guess. It's field of view so your peripherals are widened

Treesrecieveshadows is definitely getting turn on.