The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim v1.4 Beta Patch Released on PC

If you're having some issues with your Skyrim installation and are okay with the concept of a beta patch, then you'll want to pay a visit to the Bethesda Blog, where a new entry outlines that steps that need to be taken to pull down the newly released v1.4 beta patch. Word is:
Skyrim is using Steam's beta functionality to give users an early look at the 1.4 Update currently in development.

What does beta mean? This patch is still in development. Apply the update at your own risk and only if you are affected by issues listed in the fix notes.

Be sure to back up your saved games or simply be careful not to overwrite your existing saves. If you decide to opt out of the beta program, your old saves will still work with the current release of Skyrim (v 1.3).

To get the beta, you need to do the following:

Log into Steam
Click on Steam in the upper menu
Select Settings
Under the Account tab, go to the Beta Participation section and select Change.
A drop down menu will appear. Select Skyrim Beta.
Select OK.
Steam will now restart. After Steam restarts, Skyrim will be updated to the Beta version currently available.

If you decide you don't want to run the Beta anymore, redo steps 1 4. At the drop down, select NONE Opt out of all beta programs. Let Steam restart, and Skyrim will automatically update itself back to the latest released version.