Before updating Owlboy on a desktop computer, exit the game and copy its entire Saves folder to a separate location. Keep the original in place, then check that the updated game loads the progress you expect before removing your backup. The paths below are documented for desktop builds; they are not console instructions.
Where are Owlboy save files on desktop?
The listed locations differ by operating system. Open the matching Owlboy/Saves folder and copy the whole folder, not just a file with a guessed name. [SteamDB’s Steam Cloud configuration] lists these platform paths, while D-Pad Studio support’s Steam discussion response gives the Windows location and examples of slot filenames.
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- Windows:
C:Users<Username>Saved GamesOwlboySaves. You can substitute your Windows account name, or enter%USERPROFILE%in File Explorer and continue toSaved GamesOwlboySaves. User-folder locations can be customized, so if the folder is not there, check your configured Saved Games location. - Linux:
$XDG_DATA_HOME/Owlboy/Saves. IfXDG_DATA_HOMEis unset, the exact default location is not established here; check your Linux environment’s XDG data-home setting rather than assuming the Windows path applies. - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Owlboy/Saves.
Windows support documentation names slot files such as save1 through save4, but SteamDB’s cloud configuration describes Windows files using a *.sav pattern. Filenames or extensions may vary by build or configuration, which is why copying the complete folder is safer than selecting files by name.
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- Exit Owlboy completely. Close the game before copying so the files are not being changed during the operation. This is a prudent file-handling step, not a game-specific guarantee.
- Open the platform’s
Owlboy/Savesfolder using the path above. - Copy the entire
Savesfolder to a different location. For example, create a backup folder elsewhere on your computer or copy it to a separate physical drive. Copy, rather than move, so the game’s original files remain where they are. - Name the copy clearly, such as
Owlboy Saves before update, so you can distinguish it from any later copy. - Update and start the game. Confirm that the updated game loads the save and progress you expect. Keep the backup until you have checked this.
Choose a backup destination
A copy elsewhere on the same computer is quick and convenient, but it remains on the computer’s main storage. A separate physical drive takes an extra step and keeps the copy apart from the original drive, so it may still be available if that drive fails. A USB flash drive is one optional destination; the sources establish no need to buy a particular device, capacity, or software.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Incredible speeds in a microSD card officially licensed for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo OLED, and Nintendo Switch Lite systems
- Spend less time waiting and more time playing with read speeds up to 100MB/s(1) and write speeds up to 90MB/s(1).
- Instantly add up to 256GB (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Store your downloaded games, screenshots and video captures in 1 place so you can travel light.
What Steam Cloud does—and does not promise
Owlboy’s Steam listing includes Steam Cloud. Valve explains that Steam synchronizes configured cloud files before and after sessions in its Steam Cloud documentation. That describes synchronization, not an archival history that guarantees you can restore any earlier state after a newer copy has synced. A manual copy in a separate location gives you an independent fallback.
If Steam shows a cloud conflict, pause and read which version is local and which is in the cloud before choosing. The cited documentation does not provide Owlboy-specific conflict-resolution steps, so do not select a copy without understanding which save it contains.
Rank #2
- EXPAND YOUR STORAGE. Insert your card to add massive storage up to 1.5TB[1] to your Android smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, and laptops.
- SPACE FOR MORE. With expansive capacities up to 1.5TB[1], capture and store hours of Full HD video[4], movies, music, games, photos, and podcasts.
- MOVE FILES FAST. Use your card with the SANDISK QuickFlow microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader[6] to achieve up to 195MB/s[2] read speeds [128GB-1.5TB models] and offload your content fast.
- LOAD APPS IN A SNAP. Rated A1[3], the SANDISK Ultra microSD card is optimized for faster app launch and overall app performance.
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[5].
Do past Owlboy updates mean your save is at risk?
D-Pad Studio announced a Steam build update and a move to FNA on April 28, 2022, and described an older XNA version on a beta branch. A May 2, 2022 follow-up discussed a startup-crash hotfix and directed players with issues to an older beta branch. Those posts document historical build changes; they do not establish that a current update will corrupt saves. The older official save-system announcement also mentions a save backup system, but that is not a substitute for keeping your own copy before an update. See the April 28 announcement, May 2 follow-up, and save-system announcement.
This walkthrough covers the documented desktop paths. It does not establish console save locations, compatibility between editions, exact behavior for every storefront, or a guaranteed restore procedure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Compatible with Nintendo Switch (NOT Nintendo Switch 2). Always check your device's max supported capacity.
- Reliable Real-World Capacity - Labeled Capacities/Usable Capacities: 64GB/≥58GB; 128GB/≥116GB; 256GB/≥232GB; 512GB/≥465GB; 1TB/≥908GB (Due to OS formatting and binary/decimal calculation differences)
- 4K & Full HD Ready — Optimized for high-bitrate video recording and burst-mode photography. Handles RAW files, time-lapse sequences, and smooth 4K UHD playback without lag or frame drops.
- UHS-I U3 + A2 Certified Speed — Up to 100MB/s read speed (lab-tested); meets Video Speed Class V30 and Application Class A2 for fast app loading, responsive multitasking, and reliable performance on Android devices.
- Built for Adventure — Shock-resistant, IPX6 water-resistant, and rated for extreme temperatures (−10°C to +80°C). Also resistant to X-rays and magnetic fields — ideal for travel, outdoor use, and dashcams.
Rank #4
- [Gaming Series] Especially designed for Gaming Consoles. A1 spec enables high speed data transfer for game professionals
- [Ultra HD] Read/Write up to 100/60 MB/s. UltraHD video displaying/recording
- [Compatibility] Storage for Laptop, Tablet, PC, Smartphones, Camera, e-Reader. Files, Videos, Music [Notice] Compatible with Nintendo Switch 1; not compatible for gaming with Nintendo Switch 2
- [Environment] Waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof and X-Ray proof
- [Support] Gigastone 5-year limited warranty
Rank #3
- Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly.
- Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.
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