Finding the exact pathway for your game progress matters when you want to back up hours of hard work or transfer files between devices. On Windows PC, the default Stellar Blade PC save file location resides deep within the hidden system directories, specifically tucked inside the local AppData folder rather than the standard Documents directory.
To jump straight to your files without manually clicking through hidden folders, press the Windows Key plus R to open the Run dialog box. Type %localappdata%\SB\Saved\SaveGames into the text field and hit Enter. This opens the directory instantly. Inside this folder, you'll find a subdirectory named with a long string of numbers corresponding to your unique SteamID64. Opening that folder reveals your primary progress files, designated as StellarBladeSave00.sav alongside your configuration data.
Manual Backups and File Management
Relying entirely on cloud storage leaves your campaign vulnerable to unexpected crashes, sync errors, or corrupted data. Making local copies takes less than a minute and protects your progress.
- Open your File Explorer and navigate to
%localappdata%\SB\Saved\SaveGamesusing the Run command method. - Open the numeric folder matching your profile ID to view the individual save slots.
- Copy the entire folder or specific
.savfiles. - Paste these files into a dedicated backup folder on your desktop or an external drive, appending today's date to the folder name for easy tracking.
If your game encounters an unexpected shutdown or file corruption, you can restore a previous working state by replacing the corrupted .sav file in this directory with a clean backup copy. Always remember to temporarily disable Steam Cloud sync while swapping files manually to prevent the platform from overwriting your local changes.
Accessing Hidden AppData Directories
Many players hit a roadblock because Windows hides system directories by default. If typing the shortcut into the Run menu fails or you prefer browsing manually, you must adjust your File Explorer settings.
Open any folder or File Explorer window, click on the View tab at the top ribbon, and locate the checkbox labeled Hidden items. Check that box. Once enabled, navigate to C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Local\ and you will see the SB folder containing your saved game data.
Transferring and Modifying Save Data
Moving progress between systems or sharing files requires matching the exact folder hierarchy. Because Shift Up ties save files directly to specific profile credentials, simply dropping a downloaded save into your directory will not work right away. The game will prompt you to start a new campaign if the internal ID strings do not match your active account.
To fix this mismatch when using downloaded progress files, you need a hex editor like HxD. Open the downloaded .sav file in the editor, search for the original creator's internal SteamID string, and overwrite those bytes with your own converted Hex SteamID. Save the file, ensure Steam Cloud is turned off, and launch the game to resume progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the AppData folder missing on my PC?
Windows hides system folders by default to prevent accidental file deletion. Open File Explorer, go to the View tab at the top, and enable the Hidden items checkbox to reveal it.
Can I transfer my saves from a desktop to a Steam Deck?
Yes, you can transfer files between devices. On a Steam Deck, locate the prefix path via Desktop Mode under the specific Steam AppID compatdata folder, which mirrors the standard Windows structure inside its virtual C: drive.
What should I do if my game stops saving progress?
Lack of write permissions or strict antivirus software can block the game from writing data. Verify that your user account has full control permissions over the SB folder and try running the game executable as an administrator from your Steam library files.
Where are the game configuration files stored?
If you need to reset your graphical settings or tweak preference files manually, navigate up one level from your save directory to %localappdata%\SB\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor.
