Where are your games' savegames stored in Windows 11?

If ever you wondered Where are your games' savegames stored in Windows 11?, here you will discover the most common locations to protect your progress. In Tecnobits We are all or almost all gamers, we have already shown you this in previous guides, that is why we are going to bring you this article with the maximum possible detail. 

Find out where savegames are stored in Windows 11 is essential for making backups, restoring games or transferring them to another computer. Next, We show you the most common routes and how to access them easily. Don't worry, because once again, it's going to be simple and straightforward with some final tips. Let's get on with the article!

Most common file save locations in Windows 11

And as promised, let's go straight to where savegames are stored in Windows 11. Because if there's one thing we're clear about, it's that in Windows 11, save files can be stored in different locations, depending on the game and the platform from which it was downloaded.

Before we get into the steps, we advise you that you have this other article in case you are an Xbox and PC user: How to play Steam PC games on Xbox.

Some of the most frequent routes are:

1. Documents folder

Many games store save files in the “Documents” folder inside the user profile:

C:\Users\YourUser\Documents\GameName

Examples of titles that use this path include The Witcher 3, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and GTA V. This location makes it easier to manage save files, as it allows you to access them without having to modify advanced system settings.

2. AppData folder

Some games save your progress in a hidden location inside AppData:

C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\GameName
C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Roaming\GameName

• To access this folder:

• Open File Explorer.

• Type %AppData% in the address bar and press Enter.

• Find the folder corresponding to the game.

This location is frequently used for custom settings and user data that require exclusive access by the game. We continue with the route to follow to find out where the savegames are stored in Windows 11.

3. Files in ProgramData

Some titles use the C:\ProgramData folder, especially those with shared settings for multiple users on the system.

To see this folder, you may need to enable the display of hidden files:

• Open File Explorer.

• Go to “View” > “Show” > “Hidden Elements”.

• Go to C:\ProgramData.

This folder stores global settings and data essential for the correct operation of the game, preventing them from being accidentally overwritten.

4. Steam, Epic Games and Microsoft Store games

Each game platform handles save files differently:

• Steam: Most games use the path C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[User ID]. Some titles allow cloud syncing to prevent progress loss.
• Epic Games: Stores files in C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\ (Game Name), although some games may have specific locations within the installation folder.
• Microsoft Store/Xbox Game Pass: Saves data to C:\Users\YourUser\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft. (Game ID). This type of storage is usually linked to the Microsoft user account.

Some games allow you to change the location of saved files within their advanced options, making them easier to manage. Now you know where your game savegames are stored in Windows 11, but there's still a lot to learn in this article. Let's move on to backing them up.

How to backup savegames

You already know where your game savegames are stored in Windows 11, but to avoid losing progress in your games, it is advisable to make backups periodically:

• Locate the save folder following the paths above.

• Copy files and save them to an external drive or the cloud.

• If you reinstall your system or change PCs, you just need to put the files back in the same location.

You can also automate backups using services like OneDrive, Google Drive, or specialized tools like GameSave Manager. You know where your game saves are stored in Windows 11, but… Wouldn't you like to have different solutions to the problem of not finding the save files you're looking for? We'll show you how. 

Solutions if you can't find the save files

If you can't locate a game's save files on Windows 11, try the following:

• Enable the option to show hidden files in File Explorer.
• Check if the game uses cloud storage Steam, Epic Games or Xbox.
• Please check the game's forums or official documentation for the exact location of its save files.
• Use tools like “Everything” to search for files with the typical savegame extension (.sav, .dat, .cfg).
• If the game is older, check its installation directory, as some older titles store files directly in their main folder.

You already know the solutions to not finding the save files, you already know where the savegames of your games are saved in Windows 11 and now we are going to give you a series of tips on the importance of these files.

Importance of preserving save files

Saving backups of your savegames is essential for:

• Avoid losing progress after updates, system errors or reinstallations of the game.
• Transfer games to another computer without having to start from scratch.
• Restore custom settings in case of hardware changes or system formatting.
• Sharing progress with other players or upload them to backup platforms for remote access.

Now that you know dWhere are your games' savegames stored in Windows 11?, you can easily backup and restore your progress. Knowing these locations will help you protect your saves and prevent unexpected data loss. Plus, with good management of your save files, you can transfer your progress to any other device without losing any of your gaming experience. 

Remember that in Tecnobits We have a multitude of tutorials, guides, news and content about Windows and video games. Just as you have learned where the savegames of your games are stored in Windows 11 you can discover other things using the search engine. See you in the next article Tecnobits!