Here’s how to backup saved game files in Windows 10

• If you want to keep your game progress and history data, then backing up your files is a must do.
• There are many ways out there to save your game files on PC, and we put the best of them in the list below.
• Make sure to visit our Backup Tools and Solutions if you want to dig deeper into the subject.
• Bookmark our Data Recovery Hub for more reliable information.

Just as you regularly back up your PC is not be a bad idea to start thinking about ways you can do the same for your games saved files.

In case you will be replacing your laptop or if one of the files gets corrupted having a backup could save you some time and a lot of frustration.

We compiled a list of how you can back up games save files in Windows 10.

How do I back up saved game files on my PC?

1. Manually back up saved game files

1. Click the File Explorer button on Windows 10’s taskbar
2. Open the folder that includes the game’s save file subfolder
3. Select the saved game file subfolder
4. Press the Copy to button on the Home tab.
5. Select a folder to copy it to from the menu
6. Insert a USB flash drive in your desktop or laptop to back up the folder
7. You can back up single saved files much the same
8. Open the game’s save folder
9. Select a file and press Copy to

The paths for game save files can vary, but you can usually expect to find a saved game subfolder within games’ primary folders. Your My Documents (or Documents) folder might also include saved game file subfolders.

2. Back up games with Game Backup System

Manually backing up files is fine but who’s got time for that? You need to know the exact place where the game files are stored, copy them to the destination and keep doing this.

And, it’s not like you always have the same games installed, right? Not when there are so many cool new games being launched. That’s why you need a simpler solution.

Game Backup System was specifically designed to help any user with having perfect copies of the games they own.

Here’s what’s so good about Game Backup System:

• It creates a perfect 1:1 copies of all the favorite games you own
• Helps avoid getting the disks scratched and unusable
• Works with all operating systems
• Clear instructions that are easy to follow

3. Back up game save files with File History

1. Press the Cortana button on the left of the Windows 10 taskbar
2. Enter the keyword backup in the search box
3. Select Backup settings
4. Insert a flash drive, or another external hard drive, in a USB slot
5. Press the Add a drive button, and select a backup drive
6. The Automatically back up my files option is selected by default. You can select further configuration options by clicking More options
7. Click the Add a folder option
8. Select the subfolders to back-up your saved game files from
9. Select your desired interval for back-up
   
10. Press the Back up now button
11. You can restore a backup by clicking the Restore files from a current backup option shown in the snapshot directly below
12. You can also restore backup copies from within File Explorer by right-clicking a file and selecting Restore previous version
13. Select an earlier file from the previous version tab

These are the three ways you can back up games save files. This software guide provides further details for some of the best backup utilities you can also back up game save files with.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I backup my game files?

You can back up your game files using few simple steps, either manually or with a dedicated software. Check out our guide for more details.

How do I find my saved files on my computer?

Usually the saved files are easily find using File Explorer. Click here for the full guide

Where are game save files on PC?

The paths for game save files can vary, but you can usually expect to find a saved game subfolder within games primary folders. Check out our article for more details.

Locating your Saved Games Folder

Sometimes Support will request a copy of your save file to help investigate an issue. Here’s how to find them on different types of computers.

Remember that on your system, USERNAME would be replaced with your own username.

Location on Windows (Steam, Epic Games)

In Windows File Explorer, go to

If you are playing on The Long Dark — Public Test Branch , the folder will be located here instead:

Location on Windows and Xbox (Play Anywhere)

Save files will sync across Xbox and Windows 10 platforms so it’s easy to find your Xbox save files on your home PC. Simply log in to the Microsoft Store under the same credentials as your Xbox and install The Long Dark. After launching the game you should find your save folder in the location below. If you already play on Microsoft Store, then your files can be found in the same location:

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Packages\27620HinterlandStudio.30233944AADE4_y1bt56c4151zw\SystemAppData\wgs

Location on Mac/OSX

In the Finder menu, select Go/Go To Folder

Copy in this path:

If you are playing on The Long Dark — Public Test Branch , the folder will be located here instead:

Location on Linux

If you are playing on The Long Dark — Public Test Branch , the folder will be located here instead:

Where are games from Microsoft Store saved on Windows 10?

‘Life is more fun when you play games’

We bet you remember there were days when you had to install your games yourself by using good old installers and wizards. However, we mostly rely on one-click solutions these days, so it is no wonder that games from Microsoft Store are downloaded and installed automatically. Just open the app, choose the game you like, wait a bit, and enjoy a new adventure – that’s all you have to do. Isn’t that great?

That said, you might be asking, ‘How to find games I’ve downloaded from Microsoft Store?’ The thing is, some of them might be hogging too much space on your PC, which means there is a chance that you will end up wishing to relocate a game or two. If you have been toying with that idea and the question ‘Where are my Windows 10 games stored?’ keeps bothering you, you have come to the right place. In this very article, there are helpful tips on how to find where Windows Store games are stored on your Windows 10 and how to migrate them to another location if need be.

Where are Windows Store apps installed on Windows 10?

Although Windows Store products are quite good at meeting the demands of modern-day gaming and enjoy widespread popularity with kids, teens, and adults, those gamers are often unaware of where their Microsoft games are actually stored. If that is your case, it is time for you to crack the mystery: the exact place in which your games dwell is C:\Program Files\WindowsApps. This location might seem pretty obvious; however, the catch is, you are not allowed to access this folder.

Microsoft might think that this kind of restriction is here for a good reason since you can otherwise tamper with something crucial, thus harming your system. Nonetheless, being able to manage the contents of the folder in question may come in pretty handy in a situation where you need to free up some valuable space and move some games of yours from their default location to somewhere else or in a case where deleting the leftover files of an uninstalled entity is required. With this in mind, keep working your way down – below there is a simple way to take over the necessary folder.

How to access the Windows Apps directory in Windows 10?

The Windows Apps folder is heavily protected, which means you need special privileges to be able to access it. To gain them, just do the following:

1. Here is the path you should follow: C:Program Files.
2. Go to View and check the box next to Hidden items.
3. Locate the Windows Apps folder and right-click on it.
4. Select Properties from the drop-down menu.
5. Select Security. Then select Advanced.
6. Go to Owner. There click Change.
7. Enter Microsoft account email address.
8. Check the box next to ‘Replace owner on subcontainers and objects’.
9. Apply your changes.
10. Locate and click your account in the list. Click Edit.
11. Check the box next to Full Control.

You have just taken the ownership of the folder.

How to migrate your files from the Windows Apps folder?

Now it is quite easy to transfer your Windows Apps files to another location:

1. Press the Windows logo + I key shortcut to invoke the Settings app.
2. Once you are in it, go to Apps.
3. Locate the game you wish to move.
4. Click Move.

Finally, specify where your game should be stored now.

How to change the download location for Microsoft Store games?

You can change the default location for your Windows Store games in Windows 10 by using the instructions below:

1. Open your Settings app and click System.
2. Go to Storage.
3. Locate the ‘Change where new content is saved’ link.
4. Go to the ‘New apps will save to:’ section.

Now you can select the partition where you would like your games to be saved.

Where are Steam games stored in Windows 10?

Steam is booming these days: more and more people go there for great gaming experience. That is why we believe you might wish to know what the download folder for your Steam games is. So, no beating around the bush – your Steam games are stored in the C:\Program Files\Steam (x86)\SteamApps\Common folder.

How to create an alternate location for your future Steam games?

You can easily change the installation path for your Steam games by tweaking the following settings:

1. Launch Steam. Go to its Settings menu.
2. Navigate to the Downloads tab.
3. Go to the Content Libraries section. Locate and select Steam Library Folders.
4. To set a new default installation path, click the Add Library Folder button.

Now create a new path. It will be used for all your future installations.

How to move your existing Steam games?

If for some reason, you want to migrate the existing games to some other location, this may involve a bit more effort than you might at first think. The point is, your games are closely tied to your Steam client application, which means you can move your games only by moving the app in question.

Here is what you should do to move your Steam installation:

1. To begin with, back up your SteamApps folder in case something goes wrong. This might save you a lot of tears since you may lose your game progress while moving your Steam installation. Bad things happen, you know.
2. Log out of Steam and exit it.
3. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Steam.
4. Delete the contents of this folder except the Steam.exe file and the SteamApps & Userdata folders.
5. Cut your Steam folder and paste it to the new location you have chosen for it.
6. Launch Steam. Log in to your Steam account. Steam will require some time to update itself.

Finally, you should verify the integrity of your game files. Here is how you can do that:

1. Restart your PC. Open Steam.
2. Go to Library. Right-click on your game. Click Properties.
3. Proceed to Local files. Click the Verify integrity of game files… button.

Please be patient – the verification process may take a while.

Hopefully, now you have no problem accessing your game installation directories. If you want to add something or learn more about storing Microsoft Store or Steam games, do not hesitate to leave a comment below. Those having game performance issues are welcome to use Auslogics BoostSpeed: this tool is designed to declutter and optimize your Windows so that you can enjoy the most challenging adventures on your PC.

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