Steam Free Weekend: Saves, Achievements & Refunds
Steam free weekends let you play a game for a limited time at no cost, and your progress, achievements, and any DLC you buy carry over if you purchase the game afterward. Save files and achievements earned during the free weekend remain on your account, and the standard 14-day/2-hour refund policy applies to any purchase made during or after the event. Below is everything you need to know about accessing your data, what happens when the weekend ends, and how refunds work.
What Is a Steam Free Weekend?
Steam free weekends are promotional periods, usually Thursday through Sunday, when a normally paid game is available to install and play for free. They are used by developers to boost visibility and encourage purchases. During the event, you can download the full game (not a demo) and play without restrictions. When the weekend ends, the game is removed from your library unless you buy it. Any single-player progress, settings, and achievements are stored on your account and in your local files, so they are not lost.
How Free Weekends Work
You do not need to redeem a code or opt in; just visit the game’s Steam store page and click “Play Now� or “Install.� The game appears in your library with a timer showing how much time remains. After the event, the game becomes unplayable but stays in your library as a grayed-out entry. If you purchase the game later, it re-activates immediately, and your existing saves and achievements are already in place.
Key points:
- Free weekends are available to all Steam users, no subscription required.
- Multiplayer games usually work fully, including online play.
- In-game purchases (DLC, cosmetics, currency) are not included unless stated otherwise.
- You can uninstall the game at any time; your saves remain in the cloud or local folder.
What Happens to Your Save Files?
Save files are handled in two ways: Steam Cloud saves and local saves. If the game supports Steam Cloud, your progress is synced to Valve’s servers and will automatically download when you reinstall or buy the game. If the game does not use Steam Cloud, saves are stored locally on your computer (usually under Documents\My Games\[Game Name] or AppData\Local\[Game Name]). Those files remain on your hard drive after the free weekend ends, so if you purchase the game later, you can continue from where you left off.
One common misconception: deleting the game after the free weekend does not delete your saves, because uninstalling a game removes the program files but not your save data (unless the game’s uninstaller specifically removes them). To be safe, back up your local saves manually if you plan to uninstall and buy later.
Achievements and Playtime
Achievements earned during a free weekend are permanent. They appear on your Steam profile and remain even if you never buy the game. Playtime also counts toward your total hours, and any trading cards you earn are yours to keep. However, some games disable achievements during free weekends to prevent farming; check the store page or community hub for specifics. If achievements are enabled, they will unlock exactly as they would in the full game.
Refund Policy for Free Weekend Purchases
Steam’s refund policy applies to any purchase made during or after a free weekend, with the same conditions as normal purchases: you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase, provided you have played the game for less than 2 hours. The 2-hour limit counts only time after you buy the game, not the time you spent during the free weekend. For example, if you played 10 hours during the free weekend and then buy the game, you still get a fresh 2-hour window for refunds. If you buy DLC during the free weekend, that DLC is refundable under the same rules, but the base game’s playtime may affect the refund if the DLC is tied to it.
Important: if you buy the game and then refund it, you lose access to the game immediately, and any achievements or saves from the free weekend remain on your account but are not playable. Your local save files are not deleted, so if you buy the game again later, you can continue.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
- Game doesn’t appear in library: Restart Steam or check your library filter (set to “All Games�).
- Save not syncing after purchase: Ensure Steam Cloud is enabled for that game (right-click game → Properties → Updates). If not, manually copy your local save folder.
- Achievements not unlocking: Some games disable them during free weekends; wait until after purchase.
- Refund request denied: You must be within 14 days and under 2 hours of playtime after purchase. If you exceed either, the refund is not guaranteed.
Free Weekend vs. Demo vs. Trial
Free weekends differ from demos and trials. Demos are smaller, time-limited or level-limited versions of a game. Trials are often time-limited (e.g., 2 hours) but may require a subscription (like EA Play). Free weekends give you the full game for a set period, usually 3-4 days, with no purchase required. They are more generous than demos and are often used for multiplayer games to boost the player base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I keep the game after the free weekend?
No. The game reverts to an unplayable state unless you purchase it. Your saves and achievements remain, but you cannot launch the game.
Can I get a refund if I buy the game after playing the free weekend?
Yes, but the refund is based on your playtime after purchase, not the free weekend time. You have 14 days and 2 hours of post-purchase playtime to request a refund.
Will my DLC purchases carry over if I buy the game later?
Yes. Any DLC you buy during the free weekend is tied to your account, and it will work once you own the base game. If you do not buy the base game, the DLC remains in your library but is unusable.
What if I uninstall the game after the free weekend? Do I lose my saves?
No. Uninstalling removes the game files but not your save data, unless the game’s uninstaller explicitly deletes save folders. Steam Cloud saves are safe, and local saves remain in your user folders.
Can I play the free weekend on multiple accounts?
Yes, but each account must have its own free weekend access. Saves and achievements are tied to the account that played, so you cannot transfer them to another account.
Do free weekends work on Steam Deck?
Yes, free weekends are available on Steam Deck, and cloud saves sync between PC and Deck. Performance depends on the game’s compatibility.
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