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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteBefore uninstalling Steam or moving to a new computer, check that the game’s latest progress has synced, identify where that game actually stores saves, and copy those files somewhere outside the Steam installation. Steam Cloud and Steam’s game-backup feature can help, but neither is a universal save backup.
What to do before removing Steam or changing computers
- Check the game’s Cloud support. Look for the Steam Cloud indicator on the game’s store page, then check the developer’s support information to learn which files it synchronizes. The indicator does not confirm that every save file is covered. Steam Support notes that “Many games do not use Steam cloud to store save games.” Steam Cloud FAQ.
- Confirm the latest sync completed. Open Steam while online and check for a sync error before uninstalling or leaving the old computer. If Steam presents a Cloud conflict, compare the timestamps with when you played and choose the copy containing the progress you want to keep.
- Find the game’s actual save files. Use the developer’s instructions rather than assuming all saves are in Steam’s userdata folder. The developer determines where saves for games without Cloud support are stored.
- Copy the save files to a separate location. Put them outside the Steam installation, for example on another drive or an external hard drive or SSD. A drive is only a destination: it will not locate or copy saves automatically.
- Verify the copy. Check that the expected folders and files are present and that copying finished before deleting, moving, or reinstalling anything. Steam recommends testing backups; the right restoration check depends on the game and its save format.
Where to look for local Steam Cloud files
Steam lists these default locations for local Cloud files. They can help you investigate, but they are not guaranteed locations for every game’s complete saves.
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- Windows:
C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata - Linux:
~/.local/share/Steam/userdata
Inside userdata, account folders contain game folders identified by AppID. A game may store saves somewhere else, such as a location selected by its developer. Steam Support specifically warns that third-party save locations vary by game: Using the Steam Backup Feature.
Why Steam Cloud or a Steam game backup may not be enough
Steam Cloud
Cloud coverage is configured by each game’s developer. Even if a game supports Steam Cloud, check that the relevant save files are included and that the most recent changes have synchronized. Playing offline can delay syncing; when local and cloud files differ, Steam may ask you to choose which version to keep. See Steam’s Cloud guidance.
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Steam’s backup feature
Steam’s game-backup feature is for game files, not a dependable replacement for separately copying saves. Valve says backups of Valve-created games do not include saved games, and the save locations of third-party games vary. Use the feature to preserve compatible game files if needed, but handle saves separately according to the developer’s instructions. Steam Backup Feature FAQ.
Moving or reinstalling Steam is a separate task from backing up saves
If you want to retain installed game content, Steam’s uninstall guidance says to move the steamapps folder out of the Steam directory before uninstalling. Its installation-move guidance also discusses preserving steamapps and userdata. These folders do not replace a game-specific save backup: saves may be stored elsewhere, and a saved game is not the same thing as installed game content.
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Restore saves on the new computer
- Install Steam and sign in to the account used for the game.
- Install or restore the game, then allow Steam Cloud to synchronize if the game uses it.
- If you made a manual copy, follow the developer’s instructions to put the save files in the corresponding location. Avoid overwriting a newer save until you have compared versions.
- Launch the game and check that the expected progress appears before removing your separate backup.
Steam’s backup feature can restore compatible game files, but save files may need separate handling. For details, see Steam’s backup instructions.
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If the latest save is missing or Steam reports a conflict
A conflict means local and Cloud files differ, often because changes were made in two places without syncing between them. Use the timestamps shown in Steam’s prompt and your play history to identify the version you intend to keep; choosing the wrong copy can replace the progress you wanted.
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- 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.
If progress is missing after switching computers, check the old computer before deleting or resetting anything. A save that did not sync may still be there, and Steam advises checking whether the old machine can reconnect and sync it. Steam Support says it cannot recover lost saves or resolve Cloud conflicts. Steam Cloud FAQ.
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