How to Backup Game Saves on PC | Top 3 Ways

What are game saves?

Game saves are files or data within a video game that record the progress of a player's gameplay. They typically store information such as the player's current level, inventory, completed quests or missions, unlocked achievements, and other relevant data. Game saves allow players to stop playing and resume from the same point later on without losing their progress.

These saves are crucial, especially in long or complex games where progress can take a significant amount of time. Additionally, game saves can also be shared among players, allowing them to exchange their progress or achievements with others.

How to backup game saves on PC

You see the importance of game saves. If you don’t want to lose them in the event of hard drive failure or accidental re-format, you should backup game saves in advance. Here are three effective methods for your reference.

Way 1: Manually copy and paste

1. Press Win + E to open File Explorer.

2. Open the folder that includes the game’s save file subfolder. These are some common game save files locations:

• C:\Users\Username\Saved Games\[game name]
• C:\Users\Username\Documents\[game name]
• C:\Users\Username\Documents\My Games\[game name]
• C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\[game name]
• C:\Program Files\[game name]
• C:\ProgramData\[game name]
• C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\[game name]

3. Select the saved game file subfolder and copy it to a new location. You may use a USB flash drive to keep the copied files.

Way 2: Using easy file backup software

To backup game saves, the best free backup software – AOMEI Backupper Standard can give you a hand.

AOMEI Backupper

Easy Backup Software for Windows

• It is embedded with various backup types, including system backup, disk/partition backup, file backup and cloud backup.

• It enables you to backup data automatically. You can run a backup task daily, weekly, monthly or based on a special event (user logon/logoff, etc.).

• It supports different backup locations, such as external hard drive, USB flash drive, network share, NAS device and cloud storage.

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Download AOMEI Backupper with the above download button and follow the guidance below to backup game saves on PC:

1. Install and open AOMEI Backupper. Then start creating a backup task by clicking Backup > File Backup.

2. Click Add File or Add Folder to select the game save files/folder to be backed up.

3. Choose your preferred destination path to store the backup image.

4. Enable Schedule Backup based on your need and click Start Backup to launch the backup process.

✍ Note: For long-term data backup, you may enable automatic backup cleanup to delete old backup images. Please upgrade to enjoy this feature.

Way 3: Using the Steam backup feature

If you play games on Steam, use the following steps to backup Steam saves:

1. Open your Steam Library.

2. Right click the game's title and select Properties.

3. From the Local Files tab, select Backup game files.

4. Select the desired game and click on Next.

5. Choose your backup directory and click on Next.

6. Set the backup file name as well as the size and click on Next.

7. When the backup is complete, click Finish.

Bonus: Cloud backup offered by game launchers

Game launchers have the capability to automatically back up your settings, saves, and related data to their respective cloud services. These settings should be enabled by default, yet it's advisable to confirm their status in the following locations:

• Steam: Head to Steam > Settings > Cloud and make sure Enable Steam Cloud is enabled. You can also right-click any game, choose Properties, and ensure Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for [game] is enabled under the General tab.
• Epic Games Store: Click your profile and then select Settings. Under Preferences, check to make sure that Enable Cloud Saves is checked.
• GOG Galaxy: Click the gear icon in the top left corner and go to Settings > Game Features, then make sure the Cloud Saves option has been enabled.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to backup game saves on PC. There are three ways for your reference. Way 1 and way 2 apply to different game launchers while way 3 applies to Steam only. AOMEI Backupper is recommended for its easy operation and rich functions. Actually, it is not only free backup software but also free SSD migration tool. Try it now to discover more!