Before updating Baldur’s Gate 3, make and verify a separate copy of any campaign you cannot afford to lose. Larian says saves are stored locally, while its Larian Account sync is only a temporary copy of your last ten saves. For Windows players, Larian’s documented backup method is to copy the relevant profile folder; then let your own platform client install the update.
Back up your existing campaign before updating
Larian’s Patch 9 guidance recommends copying the entire folder for the profile containing your campaign to a separate backup location. That guidance is from 2022, so treat it as Larian’s documented method rather than a guarantee that every save will survive every update. You can use storage you already have, including a separate drive, and check that the copied folder is present before proceeding.
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Windows profile backup
- Open File Explorer and enter
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesin the address bar. - Find the profile that holds the saves you want to protect. For Larian’s default Public profile, Story saves are in
%LocalAppData%Larian StudiosBaldur's Gate 3PlayerProfilesPublicSavegamesStory. - Copy the whole folder for that profile to another location. Larian’s patch instructions recommend the profile-folder copy for extra safety; copying only a
.lsvsave is not the same as backing up the complete profile. - Open the backup location and confirm the copied folder and its contents are there. A separate storage device is optional; any suitable separate location you already use can serve as the destination.
Larian’s support page identifies a .lsv file in the Public profile’s Story folder as a save that can be retrieved for support. That location is useful when you need to locate a particular Windows save, while the full-profile copy is the broader backup approach described in Larian’s patch guidance. Larian save-file support instructions and Larian’s Patch 9 guidance.
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Keep local saves, Larian sync, and backups distinct
Your local save is on your PC or console. Larian Account Cross-Save synchronizes a copy; it is not a permanent archive or a replacement for the local file. Larian says the service stores a copy of your last 10 saves for up to 6 months, and that this limit does not affect saves on your device. If a campaign matters, keep a local copy or another copy outside the account service. Larian Account Information FAQ.
#1 Best Overall
- Online multiplayer for up to four players - allows you to combine your forces in combat, and split your party to follow your own quests and agendas. Concoct the perfect plan together… or introduce an element of chaos when your friends least expect it
- Origin Character - offer a hand-crafted experience, each with their own unique traits, agenda, and outlook on the world. Their stories intersect with the entire narrative, and your choices will determine whether those stories end in redemption, salvation, domination, or many other outcomes
- Evolved turn-based combat - based on the D&D 5e ruleset. Team-based initiative, advantage & disadvantage, and roll modifiers join combat cameras, expanded environmental interactions, and a new fluidity in combat that rewards strategy and foresight
- Define the future of the Forgotten Realms - through your choices, and the roll of the dice. No matter who you play, or what you roll, the world and its inhabitants will react to your story
- Player-initiated turn-based mode - allows you to pause the world around you at any time even outside of combat. Whether you see an opportunity for a tactical advantage before combat begins, want to pull off a heist with pin-point precision, or need to escape a fiendish trap. Split your party, prepare ambushes, sneak in the darkness -- create your own luck!
Cross-Save can help move recent saves between linked platforms, but its ten-save and six-month limits make it unsuitable as the only long-term backup. Do not assume that a save synced to the account is a permanent record.
Update through the platform you play on
Use the update offered by your own storefront or console client rather than relying on an old version number or a single universal build. In Larian’s August 3, 2026 Xbox Play Anywhere announcement, the versions listed for the cross-play update differed by platform:
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
| Platform in Larian’s announcement | Listed version |
|---|---|
| PC and PS5 | 4.1.1.7398727 |
| Steam Deck | 4.1.1.7451994 |
| Xbox | 4.1.1.7445165 |
These are the numbers in that dated announcement, not a claim that they remain the newest builds. Platform versions can differ, so check for the update in the client for the version you own. Larian’s August 3, 2026 announcement.
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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 & 11Crashes, 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 minuteLarian’s news index also lists Hotfix #36, dated March 26, 2026, as version 4.1.1.7209685. It included a fix for a frame-rate drop and eventual crash when loading a save, among other fixes. That dated hotfix shows updates can address save-loading problems; it should not be treated as proof of the current newest build. Larian’s news index.
Rank #3
- Exclusive Deluxe Edition Content: Includes a physical copy of Baldur's Gate 3 for PS5, along with bonus digital and physical items such as a soundtrack, art book, map, and exclusive in-game items like skins, weapons, or cosmetics.
- Big Box Packaging: Comes in a premium, collector's edition box with unique artwork, making it a standout addition to any gaming collection.
- Enhanced for PS5: Fully optimized for PlayStation 5, featuring faster load times, stunning 4K visuals, and immersive DualSense controller integration for haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.
- EU Region Version: Specifically designed for the European market, ensuring compatibility with PS5 consoles in the EU region. Includes multi-language support for a wider audience.
- Collector's Item: A must-have for fans of the Baldur's Gate series or RPG enthusiasts, offering both gameplay and collectible value with its high-quality physical and digital extras.
Separate a new playthrough from an old one
If you want to start a playthrough on a newer patch but preserve a separate set of older progress, Larian’s Patch 9 instructions recommend creating a new in-game profile before beginning. That keeps the new playthrough’s progress in a different profile; it is an organizational precaution, not a substitute for copying the old profile folder. The cited directions are historical and may not reflect current menu labels or platform behavior. Larian’s Patch 9 announcement.
If you use mods, check them after the update
Larian warns that game updates can cause mod-related problems. This is relevant to mod users, not a requirement that every player remove files before updating.
Rank #4
- Day 1 Edition includes the Base Game Disc, Steelbook, and World Map.
- Make The Story Your Own - Experience and shape the plot the way you want. Embark on the quest to save your family, or swear revenge on your sire and destroy everyone standing in your way. Discover ancient secrets lurking in the valley. Rush in head first or risk taking time to prepare. Go alone or search for friends and forge unlikely alliances.
- Day And Night - Experience two different gameplay loops, offering distinct abilities to choose from, mysteries to uncover, and varying ways to achieve your goals. Experiment with different approaches and discover how the world reacts to your actions.
- Every Action Matters - Every action - and inaction - shapes the world around you. Your family’s days are numbered, and every time you take on a quest, time moves forward, compelling you closer to the end. Choose carefully whom to help and whom to leave behind. You will not have time for everyone. The world waits for no one. And neither does the villain.
- Update supported mods through the in-game Mod Manager.
- For multiplayer, make sure every player has the same mods on the same versions.
- If a third-party modded game will not launch or has problems after a major update, Larian’s troubleshooting advice suggests removing existing mod files. It identifies the installation
Datafolder’sModsandPublicfolders;modsettings.lsxin the profile folder may also be removed when applicable, provided you are not using a new profile for the current patch.
These file-removal steps are for troubleshooting, not a blanket pre-update cleanup. Check Larian’s mod troubleshooting FAQ before changing mod files.
Will an existing save still work after an update?
The cited official guidance does not promise that every existing save will work after every update. Larian’s Hotfix #36 notes include a save-loading fix, while its mod FAQ warns that updates can create mod issues. Backing up first gives you a separate copy to preserve; it does not guarantee compatibility or make loss impossible. Keep your platform client’s update and any mod changes in mind if a save behaves differently afterward.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- 1205504
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