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To move a Steam save to the same game installed through Epic, GOG or another PC launcher, copy the complete save folder into that launcher’s save location after creating a backup. The launcher itself does not determine compatibility: the game edition, version, operating system, region, mods and account system do. Pause cloud syncing during the move, verify the imported save in-game, then turn syncing back on.
What determines whether a Steam save will work
A save file belongs to a game’s save format, not automatically to Steam. Two PC releases can read the same files, use different folders, or require a conversion. Steam Support notes that third-party developers choose where their games store saves, and game-specific references document separate locations for Steam, Epic, GOG, Microsoft Store and other releases.
Before copying anything, identify all of the following:
- The exact game and edition, including deluxe, remastered or regional variants.
- Your operating system and whether both installations use the same one.
- The source release (Steam) and destination launcher (such as Epic or GOG).
- The game version, installed mods and any account-linking system.
A direct copy is most likely to work when both releases use the same save format and progression system. It can fail when versions, regions, mods, operating systems or platform accounts differ. No universal converter is established for PC launcher transfers; a converter or editor should be used only when the developer or a reputable game-specific reference documents it.
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Where Steam saves are stored
Steam Cloud folder on Windows
Steam Cloud files commonly appear under:
C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata[SteamID][AppID]
[SteamID] is your Steam account’s numeric folder and [AppID] is the game’s Steam application ID. The folder may contain cloud-synchronized files or subfolders rather than a plainly named save directory. Do not assume every file in it is a usable local save; inspect the game’s documented structure first.
Local save folders
Many games do not use Steam Cloud to store saves. Local files may instead be under:
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DocumentsorMy DocumentsSaved Games%APPDATA%or%LOCALAPPDATA%- The game’s installation directory
The exact path is selected by the developer. Search the game’s support documentation or a game-specific save-location reference before changing files. If you find multiple candidate folders, compare their modification dates with the last time you saved in-game and look for files whose names or extensions match the documented format.
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Epic Games Store
Epic documents this local-save root for its launcher:
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%LOCALAPPDATA%EpicGamesLauncherSavedSaves[EpicGamesAccountID][Yourgamefolder]
[EpicGamesAccountID] identifies the Epic account and [Yourgamefolder] is the game-specific folder. Individual games can store their actual save files elsewhere, including Documents, My Games, AppData or Saved Games, so treat the Epic root as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
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GOG and other launchers
There is no single destination path that applies to every GOG release or every other PC launcher. Start the game once, quit normally, and then use the developer’s instructions or a title-specific save-location reference to identify the folder it created. The first run is useful because it creates the expected directory and any required configuration files without altering your backed-up Steam copy.
Safe transfer procedure
- Confirm the game and destination. Write down the exact edition, operating system, Steam AppID, destination launcher and installed game version. Check the developer’s support page or a game-specific save-location reference for both releases.
- Close the game and launchers. Exit the game, Steam and the destination launcher, and confirm in Task Manager that no game process is still running. A running process can rewrite or lock a save while you copy it.
- Pause cloud synchronization. Temporarily disable or pause Steam Cloud and the destination launcher’s cloud feature if the game provides that control. An empty destination folder or an older cloud copy can otherwise overwrite the file you are importing before you test it.
- Locate the Steam save. Check
Steamuserdata[SteamID][AppID]for Steam Cloud data, then check the title’s documented local folders in Documents, Saved Games, AppData or the game directory. Steam says developers determine third-party save locations, so do not rely on one universal path. - Make a complete backup. Copy the entire candidate save folder, including every file and subfolder, to a USB flash drive or another separate location. Keep the original Steam folder untouched. A backup lets you restore the previous state if the destination corrupts, converts or deletes a file.
- Initialize the destination installation. Install or start the destination-launcher version once, create or load a disposable profile if the game requires one, save if necessary, then exit. This creates the destination folder and confirms that the installation can run before you replace its files.
- Find the destination folder. For Epic, begin at
%LOCALAPPDATA%EpicGamesLauncherSavedSaves[EpicGamesAccountID][Yourgamefolder], then follow the game’s own documentation if its files are elsewhere. For GOG or another launcher, use the folder created by the first run and the developer’s documented path. - Preserve the newly created destination files. Copy the destination folder to a second backup location before importing. This gives you a clean baseline if the game needs its original profile or configuration files.
- Copy the Steam files into the matching destination folder. Paste the complete save contents into the destination folder, retaining the structure expected by that release. Do not rename files, change extensions or merge unrelated profiles unless the developer explicitly documents a required conversion.
- Launch and test offline or with cloud still paused. Open the destination version and check the save-selection screen. Load several saves, including the newest and an older one, and verify the character, inventory, achievements or other progress that matters to you. Save once under a new slot so you can distinguish the imported data from the original backup.
- Resolve any cloud prompt deliberately. If the launcher reports a conflict, compare timestamps and identify which copy contains the known-good progress. Epic’s guidance is to select the newer file to retain the latest saves; its conflict controls can offer upload or download choices. Choose the copy you verified, not simply the first button.
- Re-enable synchronization. Turn cloud saving back on only after the destination version contains the intended progress. Watch the first synchronization and reopen the game to ensure the cloud copy did not replace the local save.
Cloud transfer versus manual copying
| Route | When it can work | Main risk or requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud route | Both releases support compatible cross-platform or account-linked cloud storage for the same game. | A conflict can upload an empty or older destination file. Pause syncing and choose the verified newer copy. |
| Manual file route | Both releases read the same save format and you can identify each release’s save folder. | Requires a complete backup and careful folder matching; launcher paths vary by title. |
| Game-specific converter or editor | The developer or a reputable community reference documents a tool for that exact game and version. | There is no universal converter established for Steam-to-launcher transfers. A tool can alter or damage saves, so retain the untouched backup. |
Steam Cloud is optional per game; Steam states that many games do not use it to store save games. Cloud availability therefore cannot be used as proof that a Steam save will appear in another launcher.
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How to handle common Steam-to-Epic or Steam-to-GOG cases
Steam to Epic
Use the Steam location documented for the game, back it up, then initialize the Epic installation and inspect its save directory. The Epic launcher’s documented root is %LOCALAPPDATA%EpicGamesLauncherSavedSaves[EpicGamesAccountID][Yourgamefolder], but the game may use Documents, My Games, AppData or Saved Games instead. Import the files without renaming them, test with cloud paused, and resolve any Epic conflict by selecting the verified newer copy.
Steam to GOG
GOG does not provide one universal path for every game. Start the GOG release once, close it, and locate the folder created by that title. Compare its expected file names and structure with the Steam backup. If the two releases use different account identifiers, versions or save formats, a direct copy may be rejected; restore the backup and follow the developer’s game-specific transfer instructions.
Steam to a Microsoft Store or other PC release
Use the same method: identify the release-specific folder, create two backups, import only after the destination has initialized, and test before enabling cloud synchronization. Store sandboxing, account binding or a different edition can prevent a direct copy even when the game title is identical.
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Troubleshooting an import that does not appear
The game shows no saves
- Recheck the game’s documented path; the launcher’s general folder may not be the folder the game reads.
- Confirm that you copied the files inside the save folder rather than nesting the old folder one level too deep.
- Check that the destination installation and Steam copy are the same edition and compatible version.
- Temporarily keep cloud synchronization disabled so it cannot replace the imported files.
- Restore the destination backup, then retry with the complete original folder.
The game reports corrupted or invalid data
- Stop testing on the only copy and restore the untouched Steam backup.
- Remove unsupported mods or match the mod list and load order used when the save was created.
- Check for region, operating-system or account-system differences.
- Look for a developer-provided migration procedure or converter for the exact version.
- If the developer documents no compatible transfer, keep the original save and start a destination profile rather than repeatedly rewriting it.
The cloud service keeps restoring the wrong file
- Close the game and pause cloud synchronization again.
- Restore the known-good local copy from your backup.
- Launch once with synchronization paused and confirm the correct progress.
- When prompted, compare timestamps and select the verified newer file. Epic specifically instructs users to select the newer file to keep the latest saves.
- Re-enable synchronization and check the next launch.
The save loads but progress is missing
You may have copied an older slot, a different profile, or only part of the save directory. Compare file modification times, copy every subfolder, and test several slots. Some games separate profile, settings and world files; the developer’s layout determines which files must travel together.
Backup checklist
- Keep the untouched Steam save until the destination has loaded and saved successfully.
- Keep a second copy on removable storage or another separate location.
- Record the source and destination game versions and the date of the copy.
- Leave cloud synchronization paused during the first launch and test.
- Do not overwrite the only copy when a launcher asks which version to keep.
When to stop and contact the developer
Stop the transfer if the save is rejected after you have confirmed the correct folder, edition and version. Restore the backup instead of experimenting on the original. Steam Support says developers can help users find and transfer files, and Epic directs users to the game developer when a save cannot be found. Provide the developer with the game version, source and destination launchers, operating system, exact error and a copy of the backup—not the only original save.
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