ThisCalculator

Everyday

Baldur’s Gate 3 Save File Location & Backups

Updated · Standard formula, shown below

Baldur's Gate 3 Save File Location & Backups

Your Baldur’s Gate 3 save files are stored in a folder on your PC, not in the cloud by default. On Windows, the exact path is %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\PlayerProfiles\Public\Savegames\. This guide explains where each type of save lives, how to back them up, and how to move them to another computer.

Default Save File Path (Windows)

For the standard Steam, GOG, and Windows Store versions of Baldur’s Gate 3, the game writes saves to your local AppData folder. The full path is:

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\PlayerProfiles\Public\Savegames\

Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows account name. The AppData folder is hidden by default, so you may need to enable hidden items in File Explorer (View > Show > Hidden items) or press Win+R, type %LocalAppData%, and press Enter to jump straight there.

What Each Subfolder Contains

Inside the Savegames folder you’ll find several subfolders, each with a specific purpose:

  • Story – Manual and auto saves from your main campaign playthroughs.
  • Playthroughs – A newer folder used by patches after the game’s full release; contains subfolders named after your character’s save ID.
  • Multiplayer – Saves from multiplayer sessions where you are the host.
  • Mods – Saves that have mods enabled (introduced in later patches).
  • Temp – Temporary files used during saving; you can ignore this.

Each save file is a folder (e.g., Save_0001_20240915-123456) containing a .lsv file (the actual save data) and a .png thumbnail image. The folder name includes the save slot number and the date/time of the save.

How to Find Your Saves Quickly

Instead of navigating through hidden folders manually, use the Run dialog:

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
  2. Type %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\PlayerProfiles\Public\Savegames\ and press Enter.
  3. This opens the folder directly, even if hidden items are turned off.

Alternatively, you can use File Explorer’s address bar and paste the same path. If you have multiple player profiles (rare), replace Public with your profile name.

Backing Up and Restoring Saves

To back up your entire game progress, copy the whole Savegames folder to an external drive, cloud storage, or another location. The process is simple:

  1. Close Baldur’s Gate 3 completely (check the system tray for background processes).
  2. Navigate to the save folder using the path above.
  3. Right-click the Savegames folder and choose Copy.
  4. Paste it to your backup destination.

To restore, replace the current Savegames folder with your backup. If you want to keep existing saves, merge the folders instead of replacing. Always make a backup before reinstalling the game or switching PCs.

Moving Saves to Another Computer

If you’re switching to a new PC, you can transfer your saves manually:

  1. Copy the Savegames folder from your old PC as described above.
  2. Install Baldur’s Gate 3 on the new PC and launch it once to create the folder structure.
  3. Close the game.
  4. Paste your backed-up Savegames folder into the same location on the new PC, merging if prompted.

Note that if you use cloud saves (Steam Cloud or GOG Galaxy), your saves may sync automatically, but manual backup is still safer for modded games or if you play offline.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are a few issues players often run into:

  • Can’t find the folder: The AppData folder is hidden. Use the Run command with %LocalAppData% to bypass this.
  • Save files missing after update: Some patches changed the folder structure. Look for a Playthroughs subfolder; your old saves may be there.
  • Cloud sync conflicts: If Steam Cloud is enabled, disable it temporarily to avoid overwriting your local saves with older cloud versions.
  • Corrupted save: Try loading an earlier save from the same folder. If the game crashes, verify the integrity of game files via Steam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Baldur’s Gate 3 saves stored on Steam?

Steam uses the same local folder as other PC versions: %LocalAppData%\Larian Studios\Baldur's Gate 3\PlayerProfiles\Public\Savegames\. Steam Cloud may also store copies online, but the primary location is local.

Can I move saves from one PC to another?

Yes, copy the entire Savegames folder to the same location on the new PC. Make sure you have launched the game once on the new PC to create the folder structure.

Why are my saves not showing up in the game?

This usually happens when the save folder path is wrong or cloud sync is interfering. Double-check the path, and if you use mods, ensure the save is in the Mods subfolder.

How do I back up only one character’s saves?

Each playthrough has a unique ID folder inside Playthroughs. You can copy just that folder, but it’s easier to back up the whole Savegames folder to avoid missing any files.

Are saves stored in the cloud automatically?

If you have Steam Cloud or GOG Galaxy sync enabled, saves are uploaded to the cloud. However, this is not always immediate, and manual backups are recommended for important progress.

What if I have the Windows Store version?

The Windows Store version uses the same %LocalAppData% path, but the folder might be under a different profile name. Check PlayerProfiles for your profile.

Related

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.