Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Before switching launchers, find the game’s own save folder, let the current launcher finish any active sync, then close the game and launcher and copy the complete save folder to a separate location. Keep that copy untouched while you install or launch the new version. A cloud save, a game-installation backup, or the fact that two versions are sold on different launchers does not prove that your progress is independently backed up or that the new version can read it.
The exact answer to “Where are my PC game saves located?” depends on the title. Likewise, whether a save transfers from Steam to Epic—or between any two storefronts—depends on that game’s implementation. Use the game developer’s instructions to find the right files, and test the destination version only after preserving a separate copy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why you need a separate save backup
A game’s save files may live outside its installation folder. Their location and format depend on the game, and cloud-save support is not uniform. A launcher may sync only the files the game’s developers chose to include; it may not preserve every file you care about. Nor does a cloud copy establish that another launcher’s version can use the same save.
Steam Support puts the implementation choice plainly: “Developers are able to completely customize how The Steam Cloud is used for their games, including which user files are uploaded.” Steam also notes that many games do not use Steam Cloud for save games and that developers decide where third-party games store saves. A cloud icon or setting therefore tells you that a feature exists for a title; it does not, by itself, show that every local save file is included or that another storefront can use it.
#1 Best Overall
- USB-C 2-in-1 storage OTG: The Lexar JumpDrive Dual Drive D40E features USB Type-A and Type-C connectors in a slim, portable form factor for easy device compatibility
- Transfer speeds up to 100MB/s: Based on internal testing, performance may vary depending upon the host device, interface, and usage conditions. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes
- Plug and Play: Widely compatible with USB Type-C smartphones, tablets, laptops, Macs, and traditional Type-A devices, no software installation required. The 360° swivel design allows for easy switching between connectors without the hassle of losing a cap
- Durable & Compact: The Lexar D40E USB memory stick features a metal enclosure, withstands temperatures from 0° to 50° C (32°F to 122°F), and is lightweight at 26g with dimensions of 70.4 x 16.9 x 11.7mm
- Security & Warranty: Securely protects files using an advanced security software solution with 256-bit AES encryption. Backed by a Lexar 3-year limited warranty
Keep two ideas separate: backing up the game’s installed files and backing up your progress. Valve’s Steam Backup Feature documentation says save locations vary, and some Valve-created game backups do not include saved games. Copy the saves separately rather than assuming a game backup contains them. Reinstalling the game or making a backup of its installation files is not a substitute for identifying and preserving its save folder.
A separate copy is also useful even if you expect cloud synchronization to work. Steam explains that local and cloud files can diverge, for example when files change in two places without synchronizing. Epic describes conflicts after a game has been played offline on more than one device. Those situations can leave you choosing between different versions, so the important question is not simply whether a cloud save exists: it is which copy contains the progress you intend to keep.
Find the save folder for the specific game
Start with the game developer’s support page or documentation. Look for instructions for the exact game and, where relevant, the operating system and launcher version. A platform’s general folder is a clue, not proof that it contains this game’s complete save. Some games use a launcher-related location; others use a different folder. The path can also be different from the place where the game itself is installed.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsWhen you find a candidate folder, confirm that the instructions apply to your title and version before copying or moving anything. If a platform lists several common locations, do not assume that all of them apply to your game. If none identifies the right save folder, ask the game developer rather than guessing. This matters most before a switch: a backup of the wrong folder can appear successful while leaving the actual progress unprotected.
Steam
Steam identifies C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata as the Windows location for Steam cloud files. Those files are arranged in account and app-ID folders. This is a location for Steam Cloud data, not a universal save path: a game can store saves elsewhere, and developers determine third-party save locations. Check the game’s Steam Store page for an indication of Steam Cloud support, then confirm the save location with the game’s documentation.
Do not treat userdata as a complete catalog of every save on your PC. The folder is relevant to Steam Cloud files, while the save path for a particular game can be determined by its developer and may be elsewhere. Steam also allows Cloud to be enabled or disabled globally or for an individual game. If the setting is off, that does not tell you where the local save lives; if it is on, it still does not establish that all files you want are included.
Steam’s cloud files are arranged by account and app ID, so an unfamiliar folder name is not enough to identify the save you need. Use the game’s documentation or support information to connect the title to its save location. Avoid copying only a folder because its name looks plausible when the developer gives a different path.
Rank #2
- High-speed USB 3.0 performance of up to 150MB/s(1) [(1) Write to drive up to 15x faster than standard USB 2.0 drives (4MB/s); varies by drive capacity. Up to 150MB/s read speed. USB 3.0 port required. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, usage conditions, and other factors; 1MB=1,000,000 bytes]
- Transfer a full-length movie in less than 30 seconds(2) [(2) Based on 1.2GB MPEG-4 video transfer with USB 3.0 host device. Results may vary based on host device, file attributes and other factors]
- Transfer to drive up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives(1)
- Sleek, durable metal casing
- Easy-to-use password protection for your private files(3) [(3)Password protection uses 128-bit AES encryption and is supported by Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Mac OS X v10.9 plus; Software download required for Mac, visit the SanDisk SecureAccess support page]
Epic Games Launcher
Epic’s support instructions give this local-save example:
%localappdata%EpicGamesLauncherSavedSaves[EpicGamesAccountID][Yourgamefolder]
Here, the bracketed parts indicate account- and game-specific folder names; they are not text to type literally. Epic also lists common alternate locations: Documents, AppDataLocalLow, Saved Games, and %APPDATA%. Some games save somewhere else. If these locations do not identify the right folder, ask the game developer rather than guessing.
Epic’s example is useful when the game stores local saves in its launcher-related save area, but it is not a promise that every Epic game uses that structure. The account ID and game folder are specific to the user and title. Verify the applicable path with the game’s support instructions before treating a folder as the only copy of your progress.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft says cloud synchronization is available for supported games and is enabled by default for those titles. Ubisoft Connect PC lets you switch the setting off. That does not make one save path valid for every Ubisoft game. For example, Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege troubleshooting instructions tell players to close both the game and Ubisoft Connect and copy the save folder before proceeding; the article gives different folder examples for Epic Games Launcher, Steam, and Ubisoft Connect. Treat those as Rainbow Six Siege examples, not general paths for other games.
The Siege instructions illustrate an important point: even within one game, the folder example can depend on which launcher version is involved. Do not copy a path from a different title or storefront and assume it applies. Check the game-specific instructions for the version you are using, and preserve the copy before following any recovery or switching steps.
Back up saves safely before changing launchers
- Check the game’s documentation. Find the game’s save folder and whether the relevant version supports cloud saves. If the platform’s general instructions do not settle the location, use the game developer’s guidance. Confirm that the instructions refer to the title and launcher version you have, not just a similarly named game or a different storefront.
- Let the source launcher finish syncing. While the original installation still works, wait for any pending upload or download to complete. Do not close the launcher during an active sync. Cloud synchronization is not a guarantee against data loss if a transfer is interrupted, so make the separate copy next. The point is to begin with the latest available source copy, not to assume that a pending transfer has already completed.
- Close the game and launcher. Make sure the game has exited, then quit the launcher before copying. This reduces the chance of copying files while they are being changed. Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege recovery instructions use this close-then-copy sequence. If the game or client is still open, wait until it has closed before handling the folder.
- Copy the whole relevant save folder. Put it somewhere separate from the game installation and clearly label it with the game, source launcher, and date. Keep the original folder untouched. An existing separate drive or another backup destination can work; a USB drive or external SSD is optional, not a requirement. Copy rather than move: the aim is to preserve an independent version while leaving the original available for normal use or troubleshooting.
- Check that you copied the intended folder. Compare the folder you copied with the path named in the game’s support instructions. Keep track of which account or launcher produced the copy if that distinction matters for the game. If the instructions identify more than one relevant folder, follow them rather than assuming a single folder contains everything. Do not rename, edit, or overwrite the preserved copy while testing.
- Keep the copy while testing the destination version. Install or launch the game through the new storefront, then check whether it loads the expected progress. Preserve the backup until the game has loaded the right save and you have successfully made a new save. This is a cautious procedure, not a guarantee that the destination version accepts the old save format. If the new version starts with new progress, stop before saving over anything and consult the developer’s instructions.
- Resolve any sync prompt before accepting an overwrite. Compare the local and cloud file times with your last play session and identify which copy contains the progress you want. If the choice is unclear, defer or cancel if the interface allows, then make another copy before proceeding. A prompt describes a difference between available files; it does not know which play session matters most to you.
Labeling the copy is a small but useful part of the process. For example, recording the title, source launcher, and date helps distinguish it from a later copy made by the destination version. If you need to compare versions, knowing which account, device, or launcher produced each one can be as important as knowing the timestamp. Keep the backup separate from the folders a launcher is likely to synchronize or replace, and leave it unchanged until you have confirmed the destination save works.
Rank #3
- What You Get - 2 pack 64GB genuine USB 2.0 flash drives, 12-month warranty and lifetime friendly customer service
- Great for All Ages and Purposes – the thumb drives are suitable for storing digital data for school, business or daily usage. Apply to data storage of music, photos, movies and other files
- Easy to Use - Plug and play USB memory stick, no need to install any software. Support Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports
- Convenient Design - 360°metal swivel cap with matt surface and ring designed zip drive can protect USB connector, avoid to leave your fingerprint and easily attach to your key chain to avoid from losing and for easy carrying
- Brand Yourself - Brand the flash drive with your company's name and provide company's overview, policies, etc. to the newly joined employees or your customers
How to judge a cloud-save conflict
A conflict means the available local and cloud versions differ; it does not tell you, by itself, which one has the progress you want. Steam says conflicts can occur when files were changed in two places without synchronization. Epic describes conflicts that can arise after playing offline on more than one device and advises keeping the newer file. Use timestamps as evidence, but check them against your play history: a newer timestamp is useful only if it belongs to the session with the intended progress.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Before selecting either version, compare the information the prompt provides with what you know about your last sessions. The local file may reflect a recent session on this PC; the cloud file may reflect play elsewhere. The labels and details shown vary, so do not assume the same prompt will identify the right choice for every game or launcher. If your last progress was made offline, the newest cloud timestamp may not represent it. If you cannot tell, avoid treating “newer” as an automatic answer.
- Compare each displayed timestamp with when and where you last played.
- Note which copy came from which account, device, or launcher, if the interface shows that information.
- Check whether accepting one choice will replace local data or cloud data.
- If you cannot tell which version is right, avoid choosing blindly. Defer the choice if possible and preserve another copy before continuing.
After choosing, load the game and verify the actual progress. The file time alone cannot prove that a save is readable or complete. Steam warns that support is unlikely to recover lost data, which is another reason to retain an independent copy. Do not remove your backup simply because the conflict prompt has disappeared; first make sure the game loads the expected progress and saves successfully.
Will a save transfer from Steam to Epic—or to another launcher?
It depends on the game. The available platform guidance establishes that save locations, cloud behavior, and file handling vary by title; it does not establish universal cross-launcher compatibility. A destination version might recognize the same save, use a different location, or fail to read a file produced by another version. The answer for a particular game has to come from its developer or from checking the destination version with a preserved backup in hand.
Do not treat launcher cloud saves as a transfer service unless the game’s documentation says they support the versions and accounts you are moving between. Likewise, copying a save folder protects a copy of the files; it cannot convert their format or make an incompatible version accept them. Cloud synchronization within a launcher and compatibility between two launcher versions are separate questions. Check both rather than inferring one from the other.
When comparing two versions of a save, consider four things: its timestamp relative to your last play session; whether the game actually loads it; which account or platform produced it; and whether a sync process is about to replace local data. These checks help you evaluate a particular game, but they are not a universal compatibility test. A title’s developer is the place to confirm supported transfer behavior and paths.
If you cannot find the save or the new version does not load it
The listed folders are empty or do not contain the save
Recheck the game developer’s support information and search its documentation for save location, backup, or cloud-save instructions. Epic notes that some games store files outside its common locations; Steam likewise says third-party save paths vary. Contact the game developer if its instructions do not identify the right folder. Do not assume the installation directory or a launcher’s cloud folder holds everything.
Rank #4
- GOOD VALUE PACKAGE - 1 Pack 32GB Memory Stick USB 2.0 Flash Drives with great cost performance and high quality.
- BIG CAPACITY - The available capacity: 29.10GB-29.8GB, You can save the data of movies, music, photos, designs, programs, manuals, handouts in a high speed.Good performance in digital data storing, transferring and sharing with families, friends, workmates, clients and machines.
- EASY TO USE & PLUG AND WORK - Support windows 7 / 8 / 10 / Vista / XP / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, Compatible with USB2.0 and below.
- TWISTTURN DESIGN & EASY CARRY - The metal clip rotates 360° round the ABS plastic body which with rubber oil skin feeling finish. The capless design can avoid lossing of cap, and providing efficient protection to the USB port.
- WARRANTY & SUPPORT - SIMMAX logo is laser printed on the USB connector surface, our products are of good quality and we promise that any problem about the product within one year since you buy.
Also verify that you are looking at the folder for the correct game and account. Epic’s example path includes account- and game-specific folders, and Steam’s cloud files are organized under account and app-ID folders. Those structures make it especially important to check the title’s instructions rather than selecting a folder solely because it is in a familiar launcher directory.
The destination game starts with new progress
Do not overwrite the untouched backup. Confirm that you copied the folder for the correct game and source account, then consult the developer’s instructions for where the destination version reads saves. If a cloud conflict appears, compare timestamps and play history before choosing. A save that is present but not recognized may reflect a different path or an incompatible format; the available platform guidance cannot determine which applies to an unspecified game.
Check whether the destination version has its own cloud synchronization enabled or is preparing to replace local files. If you are not sure what a prompt will overwrite, defer or cancel if possible and make another copy before continuing. Once the game loads the intended progress, make a new save and verify that it persists before considering the switch complete.
You already accepted the wrong conflict choice
Stop and avoid creating more saves or initiating another sync until you understand which copy remains. If you retained the separate backup, preserve it and use the game developer’s recovery instructions to determine how to restore or test it. Do not count on launcher support to recover overwritten data: Steam says recovery of lost data is unlikely.
Do not overwrite your separate copy while trying possible fixes. A preserved backup gives you a version to test according to the developer’s instructions; without it, the available platform guidance does not promise that an overwritten save can be recovered.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this process can—and cannot—protect
A separate copy protects the files you copied from being changed by a later launcher sync or installation, provided you leave that copy untouched. It does not prove that you found every save-related file, that the destination game supports the same format, or that cloud synchronization is complete. The game’s documentation is the authority on its save paths and compatibility; the backup gives you a safer way to test the switch.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →You do not need to buy a particular backup device to follow these steps. A USB flash drive or external SSD is one reasonable optional destination for a second copy, but an existing separate drive or another backup location can work. The important distinction is that the copy is kept separate from the game files and is not changed by the launcher while you verify your progress.
Best Value
- 【16GB Flash Drive】USB flash drives with 16GB capacity, meet your needs of daily use on work, school, home and travelling for photos, music, videos, files storage and transfer. IMEASON thumb drives can be used to store different files, easy to data backup.
- 【Metal Swivel Cap Design】USB thumb drive is metal swivel cover provides extra protection for the usb thumbdrive connector, no usb drive cap to lose; keychain design makes it easier to carry without worrying lose it.
- 【Wide Compatibility】USB drive supports Windows 7/8/10/11 / Vista / XP / Unix / 2000 / ME / NT Linux and Mac OS, also Supports USB 2.0 and 1.1 ports. USB Stick support TV, desktop, notebook computer, car, audio and other device. The USB Memory Stick is your great data storage and transfer companion with traveling and working.
- 【Easy to use】usb memory stick is plug and play without any software installation. Just simply plug the Flashdrive into the port of your USB-compatible devices such as computer, laptop to start data storage or transmission.
- 【What You Get】16 GB USB Flash Drive Thumb Drive, The default format of the usb storage flash drive is FAT32.
In short: find the title-specific save location, let the source sync finish, close the game and launcher, copy the full relevant folder, and keep that copy untouched. Then test the new version and make cloud-conflict decisions using timestamps and play history—not assumptions about what a launcher backup or cloud icon covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are PC game saves located?
There is no single path for every PC game. Check the developer’s support page or documentation for the exact title. Steam’s Windows userdata folder contains Steam Cloud files for games that use it, but it is not a universal save location. Epic lists several common locations, including its launcher save folder, Documents, AppDataLocalLow, Saved Games, and %APPDATA%; some games use other paths.
Will my save transfer from Steam to Epic?
It depends on the game. Platform documentation does not establish universal cross-launcher compatibility. Check the game developer’s instructions for supported versions and save locations, and keep a separate copy before testing the Epic version.
Recommended Free Tools
Is a Steam game backup enough to protect my saves?
No. Steam’s Backup Feature concerns game files, and save locations vary by developer. Some Valve-created game backups do not include saved games, so copy the save folder separately.
What should I do if Steam or Epic shows a cloud-save conflict?
Compare the local and cloud timestamps with your last play session and consider which account, device, or launcher produced each version. Epic advises keeping the newer file, but check that it matches the progress you want rather than choosing by timestamp alone. If uncertain, defer or cancel if the interface allows and preserve another copy before proceeding.
Should I turn off cloud saves before switching launchers?
Cloud settings vary by platform and game. Ubisoft says cloud synchronization is available for supported games and enabled by default for them, and Ubisoft Connect PC lets you switch it off. Follow the game’s instructions and do not interrupt an active sync. A cloud setting does not replace an independent save backup.
Do I need an external drive to back up a save?
No particular device is required. A USB flash drive or external SSD can be a convenient separate destination, but an existing separate drive or another backup location can work. Keep the copy untouched while testing the destination version.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What if I cannot find the save folder?
Check the game developer’s support page or documentation. Steam says third-party save locations vary, and Epic notes that some games store saves outside its common locations. Contact the game developer if its instructions do not identify the correct folder.
The Bottom Line
Before changing launchers, use the game developer’s instructions to find the save folder, let the source launcher finish syncing, then close the game and launcher and copy the complete relevant folder to a separate location. Keep that copy untouched until the destination version loads the expected progress and saves successfully. Paths, cloud coverage, and cross-launcher compatibility vary by title, so do not rely on an installation backup or a cloud icon as proof that your progress is safe.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
