Yes, you can usually roll RimWorld back on Steam without deleting your colony. The safe method is to stop using the updated build, copy the entire Saves folder, preserve the exact mod files and load order, then select the older version branch that Ludeon has published in Steam’s Betas tab. Test the rollback with the copied save first. A save made in one RimWorld version may open in another, but version changes can produce broken quests, research, maps, pawns, or mod behavior, so a backup is essential.
What a rollback can and cannot guarantee
A Steam rollback changes the game files used to start RimWorld; it does not automatically make a save compatible with every older release. RimWorld saves contain version-sensitive game data. A colony created on one version can sometimes load after you switch versions, but the fact that it opens is not proof that it is safe to continue. Problems may appear later when the game processes a pawn, quest, map tile, research definition, or mod object that changed between releases.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The safest target is the exact game version that created the save, with the same downloadable content (DLC), the same mod files, and the same mod load order. “An older version” is not automatically equivalent to “the version my save needs.” If the exact branch is not available in Steam, keep the backup and follow Ludeon’s release-specific instructions rather than substituting an unknown executable.
| Rollback factor | Safest match | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Game version | The precise version that last saved the colony | Save data and game definitions can change between releases. |
| DLC state | The same DLC enabled or disabled | Content referenced by a save may not exist when DLC state differs. |
| Mods | The same mod files and versions | A game rollback alone does not restore an older mod build. |
| Load order | The original order, including any dependencies | Different ordering can change which definitions load or override one another. |
| Steam branch | An official branch published by Ludeon | A branch name identifies files intended for that release; a random download does not. |
| Test save | A copied colony, not your only original | Testing protects the untouched backup if the older build rewrites or damages a save. |
Before you switch: make a complete, separate backup
Do this while the updated game is closed. Do not rely only on Steam Cloud, an in-game save slot, or a single file copied to the desktop. Preserve the complete Saves folder so you retain every colony, autosave, and named save available before the rollback.
#1 Best Overall
- [Ultra-Lightweight Ear Buds Designed for Small Ears] Each earbud weighs only 3.7g and features a compact, ergonomic in-ear design made especially for small ears. Secure, low-profile, and comfortable for workouts, all-day wear or overnight sleeping.The ultra-slim profile sits flush in your ear with no hard edges poking or rubbing, so you can even sleep on your side without discomfort.
- [Immersive Stereo Sound with TOZO OrigX Technology] TOZO OrigX tuning delivers clear vocals, balanced mids, and natural stereo sound for music, podcasts, and videos.
- [Long Battery Life for Daily Use] Get up to 7 hours of playtime on a single charge, with up to 32 hours total using the charging case—ideal for workdays, commuting, and extended listening sessions.
- [Bluetooth 5.3 & Stable Connection] Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing, stable wireless performance, and reduced dropouts as you move around home or office.
- [Deep Bass with Clear Vocals] High-performance drivers produce punchy bass while keeping vocals clean and detailed for everyday listening.
Windows save location
On Windows, RimWorld saves are in:
%USERPROFILE%/AppData/LocalLow/Ludeon Studios/RimWorld by Ludeon Studios/Saves
Paste that path into File Explorer’s address bar. Copy the entire Saves folder to a clearly named location such as an external drive or a folder outside the RimWorld directory. Add the date and the currently running game version to the backup name, for example RimWorld-Saves-before-rollback-1.7. Do not move the original folder; copy it.
Linux and macOS
Linux and macOS use different save locations. The RimWorld Wiki’s save-location documentation lists the path for each operating system. Whichever path you find, copy the whole Saves directory rather than selecting only the colony you remember using. Keep the copy outside Steam’s game folder so a later verification, uninstall, or branch change cannot remove it.
Recommended Free Tools
Keep the backup read-only in practice
- Close RimWorld before copying files.
- Do not launch the old branch with the backup folder itself as the working folder.
- Use a duplicate for testing, leaving one untouched copy as your recovery source.
- Record the branch, DLC selection, active mods, and load order that produced the backup.
- If your operating-system backup tool offers version history, retain at least one earlier snapshot as well.
Preserve mods before touching the game version
Modded colonies need two backups: the save data and the mod data. Steam may update Workshop content independently of the RimWorld branch, so switching the game to an older version does not necessarily restore the older mod files. Ludeon has previously advised modded players who change versions to back up their mod files.
Rank #2
- 【IP68 Waterproof Multifunctinal Smart Watch】Torjalph fitness activity tracker smart watch is IP68 waterproof technology ,you can wear it when swimming,handwashing,it's rain-proof which means that you perform multiple exercise modes outside without worrying about sweat or rain corroding your fitness smart watch,and this watch equipped with a 230 mAh large capacity battery magnetic charging ,and this sports activity tracker watch can be used 5-7 days If fully charged.
- 【Larger 1.83'' Full Screen Watch & Multi-dial Selection】1.83 inch full HD color touch screen smart watch for men / women provides excellent 240*284 resolution image quality ,This Bluetooth smart watch offers a better touch experience and remarkable immersion and ,more than 200 watch faces for you to choose from App"Da Fit ", you can change the dial style according to your mood to wear keeping the world on your wrist
- 【Accurate Activity Tracker Smart Watch 】sports watch activity tracker uses sweat and dust resistant breathable silicone strap, our Fitness Tracker Smart Watch for Android iOS Phones supports 12 sports modes,walking,running,bicycle,swimming,badminton,basketball,football,rope skipping. This bluetooth calls smart watch for men women is lightweight and stylish, bringing more convenient and relaxing sports experience while also providing more protection.
- 【Your 24 Hour Personal Daily Health Monitor】Fitness watch for women men full touch screen IP67 waterproof bluetooth smartwatch for Android iOS Phones with heart rate blood pressure monitor multifunction Andriod smart watch with steps counter sleep monitor sports fitness watch, monitoring blood oxygen saturation allows you to understand your physical condition in real time to track fitness progress ,to know your health status in time.
- 【More Functions Bluetooth Call Smart Watch】This fitness activity smart watch full screen for iPhone and Android phones includes a bunch of new features including:The bluetooth smart watch can hang up the phone, receive and display WhatsAPP /Text /Facebook /Twitter /Messenger reminder.Support sedentary reminder, alarm clock, stopwatch, timer,weather information,music control, remote camera control compatible with Android 5.0 and above or iOS 9.0 and above smartphones.
Capture the exact mod set
Write down every enabled mod in its current order, including framework and dependency mods. If the game provides an in-game mod-list export, keep that file; otherwise make a screenshot or a text record. Include the DLC state and any manually installed mods.
Copy the mod files themselves when possible. A mod that has the same name today may have a different version from the one used when the save was made. Keep the copy separate from Steam’s live Workshop directory and label it with the game version and date. If you cannot preserve the older files, plan to test the colony with a copied save and expect that some mods may need to remain disabled.
Do not “clean up” the list during the first test
Changing the load order, removing a dependency, or replacing several mods at once makes it impossible to tell whether the game rollback or the mod change caused a problem. First reproduce the original combination as closely as possible. Only after a verified backup and a successful launch should you experiment with a replacement or removal.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Find the official older branch in Steam
Steam exposes a rollback only when the publisher has supplied a branch for that release. The control is the game’s Betas tab, not a normal version selector in the main game settings.
Rank #3
- [Low Noise High Fidelity] New bee guitar cord with 22AWG oxygen-free-copper center conductors provides enhanced signal transfer, the PVC insulation material and the high-density stranded copper double shield provide noise rejection for quiet operation
- [Ideal for Choice] New bee 1/4 straight and right angle metal connectors, ensures a secure connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp jack. L shape great fro on stage guitar stands
- [Wide Compatible] Suitable for mixer, power amplifier, microphone, effector, decoder, equalizer, electoronic organ, electric guitar, electric bass and other electronic equipments. Widely used in the installation of smart home, karaoke speaker, professional stage audio, etc
- [Easy Disassemble] Making incidental repairs quick and easy! Very nice, flexible cable
- [Dont Hesite to Order] 24 hours customer services and professional technology team are standing by
- Open Steam and select Library.
- Right-click RimWorld and choose Properties.
- Open the Betas tab.
- Open the beta-branch drop-down and look for the exact version branch matching your save.
- Select the branch and close the Properties window.
- Wait for Steam to finish downloading and applying the branch before launching RimWorld.
Ludeon’s compatibility guidance has used version-1.5 as an example of a named branch for players who want to remain on version 1.5. In a later 1.7 announcement, Ludeon said, “You can try 1.7 right now on the unstable beta branch,” while the main branch remained on 1.6 at that point. These labels are release-specific: the branch called unstable is not a general-purpose “any old version” switch, and a branch list can change as development continues.
When the version you need is missing
If the Betas list does not contain the needed patch, the official material does not guarantee that Steam exposes every historical build. Do not download a random executable, copy files from an unverified source, or assume that a nearby patch is interchangeable. Leave your backup intact, note the exact save version, and check Ludeon’s instructions for that release. Until the matching branch is available, opening the original save in a different build can create additional compatibility risk.
Launch the rollback without risking the original colony
After Steam finishes the branch download, start RimWorld once without loading the important colony. Confirm that the title screen shows the expected game version if the build displays it, and check that the expected DLC and mod files are available.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Close any automatically opened colony or continue prompt.
- Confirm the selected DLC and enable the preserved mod set in its recorded order.
- Use a duplicate of the backed-up save. Put that test copy in the active Saves folder only after the backup is safely stored elsewhere.
- Load the copied colony and allow the game to complete its initial load without repeatedly force-closing it.
- Check the log or error panel for missing definitions, failed patches, or disabled mods.
If the game refuses to load the copy, close it and restore the active Saves folder from the untouched backup before trying another configuration. Never keep opening the only original save while changing versions; each attempt can make diagnosis harder.
Rank #4
- Digital Family Calendar: BSIMB digital calendar wall touch screen puts an end to your chaotic life. Designed for busy families, the digital calendar keeps you organised and in step with your family. Assign different colours and tasks to each family member to make family scheduling easier and more intuitive.
- Easy Setup and Auto-Sync: Plug in, connect to WLAN and auto-syn your electric calendar in minutes. Digital wall calendar compatible with Google calendar, iCloud calendar, Outlook calendar, Cozi calendar and Yahoo calendar. Add events directly on the device or through the ecalendar app. Electronic calendar stays current whether you're at work or traveling—no manual updates needed.
- All-In-One Home Assistant: Smart calendar builds habits and encourage independence with personalised chores. Display daily meal plan to reduce the daily ‘What's for dinner?’ stress. To-do lists keep track of everything you want. Turning chores into valuable achievements with stars and rewards, making life easier and more enjoyable.
- Manage Anytime Anywhere: BSIMB electronic calendar for family stay connected with the powerful ecalendar app. Access and manage your digital wall calendar anytime, anywhere with free features like stars & rewards, photo screensaver, chore charts, meals plans, to-do lists etc. Electronic planner paid features like Magic Import tailor advanced tools for users with special needs.
- Stay in Touch with Loved Ones: Share photos or videos from your phone to electronic wall calendar with app, instantly update your life moment, and keep in touch with your family, especially those who are far away; you can also surprise your smart calendar digital wall by sending him a wish card; it's also great for keeping tech-illiterate elders in touch with the youngsters.
What to inspect after the save opens
A clean load screen is only the first checkpoint. Play the duplicate long enough to exercise the systems most likely to expose a version or mod mismatch. Pause immediately after loading so you can inspect the colony before time advances.
Colony and map checks
- Open each map and look for missing terrain, invisible objects, broken roofs, vanished buildings, or error messages.
- Select several pawns, animals, prisoners, and guests. Check health conditions, apparel, weapons, work priorities, skills, and assigned beds or rooms.
- Open the architect and inspect categories used by your colony. Missing or duplicated recipes often indicate a mod mismatch.
- Review stockpiles, bills, zones, caravans, and any active alerts.
Progress and world-state checks
- Open the research tab and verify completed projects and the currently selected project.
- Review quests, active threats, goodwill, faction relations, and any scheduled events.
- Check caravans, world-map settlements, transport groups, and any pending quest deadlines.
- Inspect the history, tale, and message panels for repeated errors after unpausing.
Mod and DLC checks
- Read the complete mod-error list rather than dismissing it because the map appeared.
- Verify that each dependency loaded and that no mod was silently disabled.
- Check DLC-specific menus and objects your colony uses.
- Save the test colony under a new name, exit, and reload that new test save to confirm that writing and reading still work.
Only when the duplicate survives these checks should you consider resuming the original colony. Even then, retain the untouched pre-rollback backup until you have played and saved successfully for a period that suits the value of the colony.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing between two possible branches
If more than one older branch appears, choose by evidence rather than by the largest-looking version number. Compare the save’s original version, the DLC state, the preserved mod versions, and the date of the last known-good save.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors| Situation | Preferred action | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Save and branch have the same exact version | Test that branch first | It minimizes game-definition differences. |
| Save is from 1.6 and both 1.5 and 1.7 branches are available | Use the branch that matches the save, not simply the older one | Downgrading past the save’s version can be as risky as loading it in a newer build. |
| Game version matches but mods were updated | Restore the older mod files or test with a copied save | Mod changes can break a colony even when the base game matches. |
| DLC differs from the original setup | Match the original DLC state before loading | Saved objects may depend on DLC content. |
| No exact branch is listed | Keep the backup and seek release-specific guidance | Steam does not promise that every historical patch remains selectable. |
Common failure modes and safe responses
The save appears in the list but will not load
Confirm that you copied the save into the active folder for the operating system and user account running Steam. Then compare the branch, DLC, mod files, and load order with your record. If errors identify a missing mod, do not keep retrying the original; restore the test copy and locate the matching mod version first.
The colony loads, but objects or recipes are missing
This commonly points to a mod or DLC mismatch, although a game-version change can also be responsible. Pause, capture the error details, and avoid saving over the original. Re-enable the preserved dependency chain in its original order and retest the duplicate.
Steam keeps downloading the newer build
Return to Library → right-click RimWorld → Properties → Betas, and verify that the intended branch remains selected. Wait for the download to finish before starting the game. If the branch is no longer offered, treat that as an availability limitation rather than trying an unrelated branch.
The rollback works, but a later update returns
Do not assume that a future launch will preserve the older branch. Before playing, check the selected branch and the displayed game version. Keep the backup and mod archive until you deliberately decide to move forward again.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →You already opened the original save in the wrong version
Stop playing and do not overwrite more save slots. Make a new copy of the current Saves folder, then locate the untouched pre-rollback backup. Use that earlier copy for all further tests. If no backup exists, recovery depends on which files remain and whether Steam Cloud or another backup system retained an earlier version; there is no guaranteed way to reconstruct a compatible save.
Returning to the current version later
When you are ready to move forward, keep the rollback copy and create another backup. Switch the Betas selection back to the normal branch, let Steam complete its download, and test a duplicate save first. A colony that survived an older branch is not automatically safe to open in a newer one, especially when mods or DLC changed in the meantime.
Maintain separate names for the pre-rollback save, the rollback test, and any save created after returning to the current branch. This simple separation lets you retreat to the last known-good state instead of guessing which file was changed by which build.
A repeatable rollback checklist
- Stop playing the updated build.
- Close RimWorld and copy the entire Saves folder.
- Store an untouched backup outside the Steam game directory.
- Record the save’s game version, DLC state, mods, mod versions, and load order.
- Back up mod files, not just the mod list.
- Open Steam Library, RimWorld Properties, and Betas.
- Select the exact official branch, such as
version-1.5when that is the required release. - Wait for Steam to finish downloading.
- Launch with the intended DLC and mod configuration.
- Load only a copied save.
- Inspect maps, pawns, research, quests, world state, and error messages.
- Save the test colony under a new name and reload it.
- Keep the untouched backup until the rollback has proved stable.
Bottom line
Rolling RimWorld back safely is a preservation exercise, not just a Steam setting. Match the exact branch, DLC, mod files, and load order whenever possible; use a copied save for every test; and treat a missing Betas branch as a real limitation. The backup is what prevents a version experiment from becoming a lost colony.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
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.
