Back up Steam’s installed game files and its saves separately: Steam’s Backup feature can package compatible game files, but it does not guarantee that a game’s save files are included. Check the game’s Steam Cloud support and save location, then make a separate copy of saves you cannot afford to lose.
What each backup method actually protects
| Method | What it can preserve | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Backup game files | Compatible installed game files for later restoration. | Compatibility varies; save files may not be included. |
| Steam Cloud | Files a particular game’s developer has configured for Cloud, which may include saves and settings. | Confirm Cloud support and which files and platforms are covered for that game. |
| Manual save copy | The save data you locate and copy yourself. | Find the title-specific save location and restore the files to the matching location. |
| Local Network Game Transfer | Original game content transferred between Steam clients on the same LAN. | It excludes local saves, configuration files, Workshop, Cloud, and shader files. |
Steam’s backup and Cloud features are not universal save protection. Steam says developers configure how Cloud works, and its backup instructions specifically note that backups for Valve-created games do not include saved games, custom multiplayer maps, or configuration files. See Steam Support’s Using the Steam Backup Feature and Steam Cloud guidance.
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Back up installed game files with Steam
- Open your Steam Library and right-click the game.
- Select Properties, then open Installed Files.
- Select Backup game files.
- Choose a destination folder, then select Create Backup and let the process finish.
- When Steam reports completion, select Open folder to locate the backup. Copy or move those files to other media if you want a separate copy.
To restore, install Steam, sign in to the account associated with the game, and choose Steam’s Restore Game Backup option, then follow the prompts. Some titles that use third-party installers or downloaders are not compatible; Steam says compatibility is most likely when downloading, installing, and patching all happen through Steam. If you want to back up all games rather than one at a time, Steam recommends its installation-moving method instead of using the backup feature for each game. Details: Steam Support: Using the Steam Backup Feature.
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Save-file locations differ by game. Find the location through the game developer’s official site or support materials, or check the game’s Steam Community forum. Copy the save data separately, and after reinstalling, put it back in the corresponding location for that game. Do not assume Steam’s installed-game backup contains it.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
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Steam documents these default local folders for Cloud data:
- Windows:
C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata - Linux:
~/.local/share/Steam/userdata
Inside userdata, account folders contain game folders named by AppID. These are locations for local Cloud data, not proof that a particular game’s saves are stored there. Check the game’s documentation before copying or restoring files. Steam’s explanation is at Steam Cloud.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Check Steam Cloud before relying on it
Look for the Steam Cloud indicator on the game’s Store page, then verify with the developer or reliable title-specific documentation which files and platforms are covered. Steam Cloud can store saves, settings, profile stats, and other user-specific data, but the developer configures the implementation. A Cloud indicator alone does not establish that every file you want protected is synchronized.
Resolve a Cloud conflict carefully
If Steam reports conflicting Cloud files, compare their dates with when and where you played before choosing which version to keep. Steam cannot determine which independently changed copy is correct. Playing offline can delay synchronization and contribute to conflicts.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
When a sync error appears, resolve its cause before launching the game if possible. Steam warns that proceeding can result in a conflict or lost progress, and says its ability to recover lost Cloud data is limited; it cannot recover lost saves or resolve Cloud conflicts for users. Read Steam’s Cloud guidance before selecting a version.
Use a local network transfer for game content, not saves
Steam Local Network Game Transfers can move original game content between Steam clients on the same LAN, subject to the feature’s settings and availability requirements. It can reduce re-downloading when setting up another PC or Steam Deck, but it does not transfer local saves or configuration files and excludes Workshop, Cloud, and shader files. Treat it as a way to move game content, not as a save backup. See Steam Local Network Game Transfers.
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- Easily store and access 4TB of content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Verify the copy before you need it
Steam recommends testing created backups to check their integrity for future reinstallation. A completed backup operation by itself is not proof that the files will restore correctly. Steam notes that interference from another application or an interrupted process may prevent a successful backup. Keep the backup somewhere separate from the computer when practical, and confirm that your separate save copy is present and readable. Steam’s guidance is in Using the Steam Backup Feature.
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Steam’s macOS support page recommends excluding /Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam/SteamApps/ from Time Machine when game updates cause the full SteamApps folder to be backed up repeatedly. This can reduce repetitive backup volume; it does not replace protecting game saves or other important files separately. See Steam Support: Exclude Steam from Time Machine.
Quick Recap
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