PC Game Save File Locations & 1-Click Backup
Find exact local save paths across Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic Games, and GOG. Copy paths directly into Windows Run dialog or generate an automated timestamped .bat backup script in 1 click.
🔥 Most Searched PC Game Saves
Verified PathElden Ring
Steam Cloud
Grand Theft Auto V
Steam Cloud
Baldur Gate 3
Steam Cloud
Palworld
Steam Cloud
Black Myth: Wukong
Steam Cloud
Cyberpunk 2077
Steam Cloud
Red Dead Redemption 2
Steam Cloud
Starfield
Steam Cloud
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Steam Cloud
Custom Save Backup Script Generator
Need to backup a game not listed in our database? Paste any Windows folder path below to instantly create a safe, zero-dependency .bat script that backs up your progress with automated date & time stamps.
Browse Game Saves Directory
Total Catalog: 253 PC Games
How PC Game Save Files Work in Windows 11 & 10
Points to C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local. Used by modern Unreal Engine 4/5 and Unity titles for save files, shader caches, and local configurations.
Points to C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming. Commonly used by FromSoftware titles (Elden Ring, Dark Souls), standalone launchers, and emulator profiles.
Stored in Steam\userdata\[SteamID]\[AppID]\remote. Holds official Steam Cloud synced save states and remote container files.
Where Games Save on PC by Platform & Launcher
Every digital storefront stores saves and configurations in distinct directory structures. Use our 1-click Windows Run (Win+R) commands to jump directly into the source folder.
🎮 Steam (Official Cloud & Local)
Steamworks Cloud SyncSteam Cloud saves are stored locally in the userdata container before uploading. Your SteamID3 is your 32-bit Friend Code found in your Steam profile URL.
🟢 Xbox PC & Microsoft Store (Game Pass)
XGameSaveFiles (xgs) & Legacy wgsMicrosoft's modern GDK recommends XGameSaveFiles (direct xgs folder access) for PC titles. Legacy UWP titles use wgs containers, while No-Code Cloud titles store saves in standard Win32 developer folders.
⚡ Epic Games Store
EOS Cloud / Local MirrorMost Unreal Engine 4 and 5 games on Epic Games Store share identical save structures with Steam builds, located in %LOCALAPPDATA%\[GameName]\Saved\SaveGames\.
🟣 GOG Galaxy & DRM-Free
Native Windows DirectoryDRM-free releases generally respect the official Windows 11/10 Saved Games folder or Documents\My Games, requiring no client running in the background.
🎮 Steam Deck / Proton (Linux & Handhelds)
SteamOS & Proton PrefixSteam Deck executes Windows games via Proton compatibility layers. Each game's simulated Windows filesystem resides inside its AppID-specific compatdata prefix container.
PC Game Config Files & GameUserSettings.ini Directory Guide
Need to change your resolution outside the game, fix a startup black screen, or unlock your FPS? PC games store their rendering and engine configurations in human-editable .ini, .xml, and .json files.
⚙️ Unreal Engine 4 & 5 (GameUserSettings.ini)
UE4 / UE5- ✓ Force Custom Resolution: Set ResolutionSizeX=1920 and ResolutionSizeY=1080 (or your native monitor resolution) to stop launch crashes.
- ✓ Unlock Frame Rate Limit: Change FrameRateLimit=0.000000 or set to your display refresh rate (e.g., FrameRateLimit=144.000000).
- ✓ Disable V-Sync: Set bUseVSync=False to minimize input latency in competitive shooters.
- ✓ Window Mode: Set FullscreenMode=1 for Borderless Windowed, or FullscreenMode=0 for Exclusive Fullscreen.
🎮 Unity Engine (Registry & AppData LocalLow)
Unity Engine- ✓ Registry Settings: Unity stores primary screen resolution and display adapter keys inside the Windows Registry.
- ✓ Boot Config: Advanced rendering parameters are located in the game installation root inside [Game]_Data/boot.config.
- ✓ Graphics Reset: Deleting the game's registry key resets resolution and graphics settings back to defaults safely.
🏢 Major AAA Game Engines (Rockstar, Bethesda, Capcom, CDPR)
Essential Step-by-Step Save & Config Guides
Real solutions to the most common game save questions asked on Google, Bing, and Reddit.
🔄 1. How to Transfer PC Game Saves to a New PC or Laptop
- Locate the Save Folder: Use our directory search to find the exact local save path on your old computer.
- Copy the Full Folder: Copy the entire contents of the save directory to a USB thumb drive or cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive).
- Initialize on New PC: Install and launch the game on your new PC for at least 30 seconds to allow it to generate initial folder structures, then exit.
- Overwrite Files: Paste your copied save files into the identical directory on your new PC. Relaunch the game to resume your progress.
🟢 2. Can You Transfer Xbox Game Pass PC Saves to Steam?
- Compatibility is Game-Specific: Transferability depends on whether the title uses standard unencrypted files or containerized GDK formats. Direct file copy works for unencrypted games; other titles require community conversion tools, while cloud-bound or encrypted containers cannot transfer.
- Locate Xbox Save Directory: Check for modern XGameSaveFiles in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\[PackageName]\SystemAppData\xgs\ or legacy wgs containers.
- Format Check & Conversion: If the save is unencrypted, rename the raw file to match Steam's expected naming structure (e.g. SaveData.sav). For containerized formats, check title-specific converters.
- Import to Steam Userdata: Move the verified save file into the game's Steam userdata folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[YourID]\[AppID]\remote\).
💾 3. How to Restore or Import a Save Backup Safely
- Always Create a Current Backup First: Before restoring, create a duplicate copy of your existing folder and label it with .bak to prevent accidental data loss.
- Check Cloud Synchronization: Open Steam or your launcher and temporarily disable cloud sync to prevent the cloud server from overwriting your restored save upon launch.
- Replace Save Files: Paste your backup save files into the game's active save directory.
- Launch & Re-Sync: Start the game, confirm that your save progress loads properly, create a checkpoint save, exit, and re-enable cloud sync.
🩹 4. How to Recover Corrupted or Accidentally Deleted Game Saves
- Check for .BAK or .OLD Files: Many modern games create automatic backup files in the save folder. Rename save.sav.bak to save.sav.
- Download from Steam Cloud Web: Visit store.steampowered.com/account/remotestorage in your browser. Log into your Steam account to view and download all previous cloud-synced saves for your library.
- Use Windows Previous Versions: Right-click the game's save folder in File Explorer, click "Properties", open the "Previous Versions" tab, and restore an earlier shadow copy.
📁 5. How to Unhide AppData & Access Hidden Save Folders
Why it's Hidden: Windows 11 and 10 hide the AppData directory by default to prevent accidental deletion of operating system and application files.
Instant Shortcut (Win+R): Press Win+R on your keyboard, type %localappdata% or %appdata%, and press Enter to jump inside instantly.
Permanent Unhide in Windows 11: Open File Explorer, click the "View" button in the top menu, hover over "Show", and check "Hidden items".