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Back up the local save folder for the exact game before its retirement date, and keep that copy somewhere Ubisoft Connect cannot overwrite. On Windows, Ubisoft Connect saves normally live under C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegames. You must open your Ubisoft account-ID folder and then the game’s own numeric folder; the number varies by title and storefront.
There is no single Ubisoft shutdown date. Ubisoft’s decommissioning table is specific to each game and platform. Check that entry first, then close the game and Ubisoft Connect, copy the complete save folder to separate storage, verify the copy, and keep a second dated copy for valuable progress.
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What an online-service shutdown means for your Ubisoft save
Ubisoft’s retirement notices are tied to a particular title and platform. The decommissioning table includes dates such as 1 October 2022, 25 January 2024, 8 April 2024 and 4 June 2025, but those dates do not establish a universal end date for every Ubisoft game. Use the row for your exact game, edition and platform instead of relying on a general announcement.
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A 2022 Ubisoft announcement also shows why old dates are unsafe to reuse. Some planned shutdowns moved from 1 September to 1 October 2022, and certain PC single-player downloadable content remained available only before the change. Check the current title-specific notice while the service is still available.
Check these details before copying anything
- The exact game name and edition.
- Whether you launch it through Ubisoft Connect, Steam or Epic Games Store.
- The platform covered by the retirement notice.
- Whether the save is local, cloud-synchronised, or both.
- Whether you still know the Ubisoft account credentials needed to launch the game.
Do not treat a service-retirement notice as a promise that every local feature will disappear, or as a guarantee that a local folder alone will bypass authentication. The safest time to test your backup is while the account, launcher and entitlement still work.
Where Ubisoft Connect stores PC saves
Ubisoft’s restoration instructions identify this default Windows directory:
C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegames
Inside savegames is a folder named with your Ubisoft account ID, usually a long string of letters and numbers. Inside that account folder are title-specific subfolders. The final folder name is often numeric, but you should not guess it.
The same game can use different folder IDs depending on the storefront. Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege instructions, for example, identify folder 635 for Ubisoft Connect and Epic Games Store and 1843 for Steam. Those numbers are an example for that title, not a universal map for Ubisoft games. Use the game’s Ubisoft Help page to identify the correct folder.
That path is a default, not a promise that every installation uses the same drive or directory. A second Windows account, a different Ubisoft Connect installation location or multiple Ubisoft accounts can leave more than one plausible folder. Match the folder to the account and storefront that actually launch your game.
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1. Confirm the retirement entry
Open Ubisoft’s current game decommissioning table and locate the exact title and platform. Record the listed date and any notes about downloadable content or features that remain available only until the change. If your game is not listed, do not assume that a shutdown is imminent; still keep a routine backup if the progress matters.
Save a note containing the game edition, storefront, Ubisoft account and backup date. That small record can prevent you from restoring a Steam folder into an Epic or Ubisoft Connect installation months later.
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2. Create a clean save state
- Launch the game normally.
- Use the game’s own save command or reach a point where it saves automatically.
- Wait for any save indicator to finish.
- Exit to the desktop through the game’s menu.
Do not copy files while the game is still writing them. A partially written file can make a backup unusable even when the folder itself appears to be present. If the title has several save slots, make sure the slot you care about is the one saved most recently.
3. Quit Ubisoft Connect PC
Exit Ubisoft Connect completely, not just the game window. Check the Windows notification area and use the client’s exit command if it remains running. Closing the launcher prevents cloud synchronization or background processes from changing files during the copy.
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- Open File Explorer.
- Paste
C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegamesinto the address bar. - Open the folder whose name is your Ubisoft account ID.
If Ubisoft Connect is installed in a different location, search Windows for the savegames folder or check the launcher installation path. Do not copy an unrelated account-ID folder when more than one is present.
5. Identify the game’s numeric folder
Use the title’s Ubisoft Help instructions to match the game and storefront to its folder number. Steam, Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect can use different IDs. If you choose the wrong numeric folder, you may preserve another game’s files and believe the desired save is safe when it is not.
Do not rename files inside the game folder or remove files that look like settings or metadata. The complete folder is the unit Ubisoft’s restoration guidance expects you to copy. If the title’s help page gives a different location or additional instruction, follow that title-specific guidance.
6. Copy the complete folder
- Right-click the identified game folder and choose Copy.
- Paste it to a USB flash drive, portable SSD, external hard drive or another storage location that is separate from the Windows system drive.
- Keep the original folder untouched until the copy has been checked.
- Rename the copied folder or its containing directory with the game name, platform and date, such as
GameName_UbisoftConnect_2026-10-17.
Copy the entire game folder, not just one file that happens to look like a save. Different titles can store several slots, settings or metadata together. Ubisoft does not endorse a particular drive brand; choose a destination with enough free space and keep it physically separate from the PC when it is not being updated.
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Open the copied folder and compare its file names and file sizes with the source folder. Make sure the expected subfolders and save-slot files are present and that the copy operation reported no errors. This confirms that the files were copied, but it does not prove that a save will be playable after restoration.
Verification is a file check, not a compatibility test. Do not alter the source merely to make the destination look tidier, and do not delete the backup because it contains unfamiliar files. Those files may be part of the title’s save structure.
8. Make a second dated copy
For progress you cannot replace, create another copy on a different physical device or storage location. A second copy protects against a failed drive, accidental deletion or damage to the first device. Keep at least one copy disconnected when it is not being updated.
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Use separate dated folders rather than repeatedly overwriting one backup. A dated set lets you return to an earlier point if a later save becomes corrupted or if you accidentally copy the wrong version during a conflict.
Backup methods compared
| Method | Independence from Ubisoft servers | Recoverability | Portability between PCs | Dated versions | Main overwrite risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Removable USB drive or portable SSD | High after copying; works as an offline file set | Restore by copying the saved folder back into the account-ID directory | Good, provided the same game, account and platform arrangement can read the files | Easy: keep separately named dated folders | Copying in the wrong direction or replacing the good folder without preserving it |
| External hard drive | High after copying | Same folder-based restoration process | Good, with enough capacity for multiple dated copies | Easy; useful for several snapshots | One drive is still a single point of failure if no second copy exists |
| Windows File History | Independent of Ubisoft’s servers when configured to a local backup drive | Can restore an earlier version of a saved game file | Less direct than carrying a manually copied folder to another PC | Strong; it is designed to retain earlier versions | Restoring the wrong version or discovering that the save directory was not included |
| Ubisoft cloud synchronization | Low; it depends on Ubisoft account and service availability | Convenient while the account and supported service work | Convenient on supported installations using the same account | Not under your direct control | A cloud copy can overwrite the local progress during a conflict |
Cloud synchronization is useful, but it is not an offline backup you control. Keep a removable-drive or File History copy even when cloud saves appear to work. A removable drive is simple to disconnect; an external hard drive is useful when you want multiple dated snapshots; File History is useful when it has already been configured to record the save directory.
How to use Windows File History
Ubisoft specifically notes that Windows File History can restore backed-up saves. File History must have been enabled and configured to include the save location before the unwanted change occurs.
- Connect the drive used by File History.
- Open Windows Settings and search for File History.
- Use the File History control panel to browse available versions of the Ubisoft save directory.
- Select the date and files you need, then restore them to their original location or another location for inspection first.
The exact Windows labels can vary by Windows release. If File History was never enabled, it cannot recreate an older save that was not recorded. A manually copied folder is therefore useful even when File History is available.
When possible, restore to another location first and compare the files before replacing the current folder. Keep the current folder as its own dated copy so an incorrect File History selection does not eliminate the version you were trying to protect.
What to do when local and cloud saves conflict
Ubisoft’s cloud-save troubleshooting flow uses the local save to replace a corrupted cloud version. Follow the sequence carefully:
- Quit the game.
- Disable cloud synchronization in Ubisoft Connect.
- Start the game and create or load the local save you want to keep.
- Exit the game so the local save is written.
- Re-enable cloud synchronization.
- Restart the game.
- When prompted, choose the local save.
Before selecting either option in a conflict dialog, preserve both versions if possible. Copy the current local folder and any available backup to separate dated locations. Choosing the wrong version can overwrite the progress you intended to keep, and the cloud copy may then propagate that mistake to another installation.
Do not assume that the newest timestamp is automatically the best progress. A recently changed file can represent a failed or unwanted session. Use your own dated notes and, when the game permits it, inspect the in-game slot or progress after restoring.
How to restore a backed-up Ubisoft save
Restoration is safest when you keep the original files untouched until the replacement has been tested.
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- Quit the game and Ubisoft Connect PC.
- Open the backup location and identify the dated copy for the correct game, platform and account.
- Open
C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegames. - Open the matching Ubisoft account-ID folder.
- Make a temporary copy of the current game subfolder before replacing anything.
- Copy the backed-up game folder and paste it into the account-ID folder.
- Start Ubisoft Connect and launch the game.
- Check the expected save slot or progress before making another save.
Ubisoft’s wording is direct: “On PC, you can restore an earlier version of a saved game file if you have a backup copy.” If the game does not detect the restored progress, close it again and confirm that the numeric title folder, account-ID folder and storefront match. Do not keep replacing files blindly; preserve each attempt as a separate dated copy.
After a successful test, make a new dated backup of the restored state. That gives you a known-good point before cloud synchronization is turned back on or further progress is made.
Account closure can make recovery impossible
Ubisoft’s account-closure help says closing an account removes access to Ubisoft games, in-game progression, Ubisoft Connect and other Ubisoft online services, and that associated data cannot be restored after closure. Ubisoft’s Terms of Use likewise state that terminating an account or associated service causes loss of save files and in-game progression related to those services.
Keep the Ubisoft account open while you verify your copies and confirm that the game launches. A local folder is valuable, but access to the game, account authentication and platform entitlement can still affect whether it can be used. Do not close the account merely because you have copied the files; first test the copy under the account and storefront you expect to use.
Troubleshooting common backup problems
The savegames folder is missing
Confirm that Ubisoft Connect is installed on the expected Windows drive and that you are looking under Program Files (x86), not a similarly named game-install directory. Search File Explorer for Ubisoft Game Launchersavegames. Launch the game once, save normally, exit both applications and check again.
There are several account-ID folders
Do not merge them. Identify the account currently used by Ubisoft Connect and copy the game folder from that account-ID directory. Retain the other folders separately until you know they are obsolete.
You cannot tell which numeric folder belongs to the game
Use the game’s Ubisoft Help page and match the storefront. The Rainbow Six Siege example demonstrates why storefront matters: Ubisoft lists 635 for Ubisoft Connect/Epic Games Store and 1843 for Steam. Do not generalize those IDs to another title.
The copy reports an error
Stop and resolve the error rather than assuming the backup is complete. Close Ubisoft Connect again, check that the destination drive has sufficient free space, retry to a different destination, and compare file names and sizes afterward. Keep the source folder unchanged.
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The restored save does not appear in-game
Verify the account-ID folder, title-specific numeric folder, storefront and game edition. Confirm that the backup was made after a completed in-game save and that the game was fully closed. If cloud synchronization is enabled, disable it temporarily while checking the local files so an unwanted cloud version does not immediately replace them.
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A cloud conflict prompt appears
Do not choose at random. Preserve the local and backup folders first, then use the local-save workflow: disable cloud sync, save locally, exit, re-enable sync and choose the local version when prompted.
You copied the folder but cannot prove it works
A file-name and size comparison confirms that the copy completed; it cannot guarantee playability. Keep the source and destination, record the date and test restoration only after making another safety copy. If the game still fails to recognize it, recheck the account, numeric folder, storefront and edition rather than deleting the backup.
A practical retention plan
- Before retirement: make a full copy after a confirmed in-game save and verify its contents.
- After major progress: make another dated copy instead of overwriting the only backup.
- For irreplaceable progress: keep two copies on separate physical devices.
- Before account changes: confirm that the game launches and that the copied save is associated with the intended account and storefront.
- During any conflict: preserve both versions before selecting a local or cloud file.
- When a drive is not in use: disconnect it and store it safely so one accident cannot affect every copy.
This approach gives you an offline copy, a recoverable earlier version and a clear record of which progress each folder contains, without depending on a future Ubisoft server response.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Ubisoft Connect save files stored on Windows?
The default path is C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegames. Open your long Ubisoft account-ID folder inside it, then the game’s title-specific numeric folder.
Is there one Ubisoft shutdown date for all games?
No. Ubisoft retirement dates are specific to the title and platform. Check the current decommissioning-table entry for your exact game rather than relying on an older general announcement.
Can I use a USB drive as an offline Ubisoft save backup?
Yes. Copy the complete game folder to a USB flash drive, portable SSD or external hard drive, verify the files and keep the original untouched until the check is complete.
Should I rely on Ubisoft cloud saves?
No. Cloud synchronization is convenient but depends on the Ubisoft account and supported services. Keep an independent removable-drive or Windows File History copy.
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What should I do before choosing a local or cloud version in a conflict?
Preserve both versions in separate dated folders first. Then use Ubisoft’s local-save sequence: disable cloud sync, save locally, exit, re-enable sync and choose the local version when prompted.
Can I restore a save after closing my Ubisoft account?
Ubisoft says account closure removes access to games, progression and associated services, and that associated data cannot be restored. Keep the account open while verifying your backup.
Why does the numeric save folder differ between Steam and Ubisoft Connect?
Folder IDs can vary by storefront. Ubisoft’s Rainbow Six Siege instructions list 635 for Ubisoft Connect/Epic Games Store and 1843 for Steam; use the help page for your own title instead of guessing.
Does copying a folder prove the save will work later?
No. Comparing file names and sizes confirms the copy completed, but not playability. Record the account, storefront and date, and test restoration while the game and account still work.
The Bottom Line
Check the exact Ubisoft retirement entry, save normally, close both the game and Ubisoft Connect, then copy the complete title folder from savegames<account ID> to separate storage. Verify it, keep a second dated copy, and preserve both files before resolving any cloud conflict.
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