Before updating a PC game, close it and make a dated copy of its actual save folder somewhere separate from the live folder. Check that the launcher’s cloud sync has finished, but do not rely on cloud saves as your only rollback: support is game-specific, and sync conflicts can put the wrong version back.
Back up your saves before updating
- Save and exit normally. Close the game through its usual menu. If the launcher reports that it is synchronizing, wait for that process to finish. Avoid starting the game on another device while you are making the copy.
- Check whether this game supports cloud saves. Steam lets developers choose whether and which files a game synchronizes; look for the Cloud indicator on the game’s store page and consult the game’s own guidance for details. In Epic Games Store, check the library’s Cloud Saves filter or the store page’s feature tag. Not every game supports these features. Steam Cloud · Epic Cloud Saves eligibility
- Find the save folder for this particular game. There is no universal PC save location. Common Windows locations include Documents, Saved Games, AppData (Local, LocalLow, or Roaming), and sometimes the game’s installation folder. The game’s developer or community documentation can help identify the right path. Steam also lists common locations in its Steamworks Cloud documentation; treat them as starting points, not proof that a specific game saves there.
- Copy the folder while the game is closed. Copy, rather than move, the save folder. Preserve its subfolders and filenames, and name the backup with the game and date, such as
GameName save backup 2026-10-07. Put it outside the active save folder—ideally on another drive or removable external storage. Windows backup guidance describes external drives and cloud storage as possible places for backup copies. Windows backup and recovery - Check the copy. Open the destination and make sure the expected files and folders are present. Keep the dated copy intact rather than overwriting it with a restore you have not verified.
- Update and verify in the game. After the update, launch the game and check the intended character, save slot, or latest progress. Keep the backup until that check succeeds.
Choose a backup location that suits your situation
A separate copy matters because it is independent of the game’s active save and launcher sync. Cloud storage is convenient for access across devices; an external drive keeps a physical copy separate from the PC’s system drive. Neither choice compensates for copying the wrong folder, so confirm the game’s save path first.
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| Option | What it offers | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Launcher cloud saves | Can synchronize supported game files across devices. | Whether the specific game supports the feature, which files it syncs, and whether synchronization has completed. Cloud sync is not an independent manual backup. |
| Separate local or external copy | Gives you a dated copy you can restore yourself; an external drive also remains separate from the PC’s system drive. | That the correct save folder and its full structure were copied, and that the destination copy is readable. |
Restore a save or resolve a cloud conflict
- Close the game. Do not restore files while the game is running, because it may overwrite the files you are replacing.
- Keep the backup untouched. Find the dated copy and, if possible, make a second working copy before restoring.
- Copy the save files back. Put them in the game’s expected save location and preserve the original folder structure. If you are unsure of the path, verify it with the game’s documentation rather than guessing.
- Handle a launcher prompt by comparing versions. If asked to choose between local and cloud files, compare their dates and select the version that contains the progress you want. Do not choose just because it is labeled “cloud” or “local.” Epic notes that conflicts can happen when a player uses more than one device, including after offline play, and advises keeping the newer file. Epic’s cloud-save conflict guidance
- Launch and inspect before continuing. Confirm that the intended save loads before playing further. If it does not, close the game and try the untouched backup rather than saving over files that might still be recoverable.
What to know about Steam, Epic, and Xbox app games
Steam
Each game’s developer determines whether Steam Cloud is integrated and which user files it includes. Steam’s default Windows local cloud-data location is C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata, organized by account ID and game App ID; that location is not a universal substitute for checking a game’s actual save folder. Steam describes configured files syncing after a game exits and downloading before it launches on another computer, but this depends on the game’s integration and a successful sync. Steam also says it generally cannot recover lost cloud saves or resolve cloud conflicts for users. Steam Cloud details
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Steam’s Restore Game Backup feature concerns supported backups of game installations, not a complete backup of every game’s progress. Valve-created installation backups omit saved games and some custom files, and third-party save locations vary. If you restore an installation, you may still need to copy save files separately to their proper folders. Using the Steam Backup Feature
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Epic Games Store
Use the library filter or store-page feature tag to check whether a game supports Cloud Saves. The feature can be enabled in launcher settings. Epic warns that changing the setting while playing on multiple machines may lead to conflicts, so preserve a manual copy before resolving a prompt when you can. Enable Cloud Saves in Epic Games Launcher
Xbox app and PC Game Pass
Save handling can vary by title and platform. Consult the game’s official support instructions and confirm whether its saves are managed by the game or platform. Do not apply Steam’s userdata path or Epic’s conflict steps to an Xbox app game without title-specific confirmation. Make a separate copy only if the save files are accessible and the official instructions permit it.
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- The available storage capacity may vary.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming every PC game saves in Documents, AppData, or its installation folder.
- Treating a cloud-save indicator as proof that every relevant file is synchronized or recoverable.
- Moving the live save instead of copying it, or storing the only backup beside the active files.
- Choosing a cloud-conflict option without checking which version contains the desired progress.
- Confusing a game-installation backup with a backup of saved progress.
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