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Dwarf Fortress Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-10-07

Save file location (Windows (Steam)): Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save

Quick answer: On PC, the Steam version of Dwarf Fortress stores saves inside its own install folder: ...\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save\ (the default being C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save\). Unusually, the saves are NOT in Documents or AppData — they sit next to the game, each fortress a region#/ folder. If you moved your Steam library, they are under that drive's steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save. Steam Cloud mirrors this save folder, so a corrupted save can overwrite the good cloud copy — copy the whole save folder before updating, modding, or moving PCs.
Windows (Steam)
Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save
Windows (Classic / itch build)
<Dwarf Fortress folder>\data\save
Steam Cloud
Steam userdata (managed by Steam)

Dwarf Fortress breaks the usual rule: its saves live inside the game's own install folder, not in Documents or AppData. Here is the exact PC path for the Steam and Classic builds, how to open it, and how to back a fortress up before a bad cloud sync.

Save file locations

Windows (Steam)
Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save

Full default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save\ . Each fortress/world is a region1, region2 … folder. If you set a custom Steam library, it is under that drive's steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save instead.

Windows (Classic / itch build)
<Dwarf Fortress folder>\data\save

The free Classic and itch.io builds keep saves under data\save inside the game's own folder, wherever you unzipped it — not in Steam's path.

Steam Cloud
Steam userdata (managed by Steam)

Steam Cloud keeps a mirrored copy and syncs on launch/exit. Coming back online or verifying files after a crash can pull the cloud copy down — see the cloud-conflict steps first.

Cloud saves

The Steam build of Dwarf Fortress uses Steam Cloud and syncs the save folder on launch/exit. Because the saves live in the install folder, a Verify Files or a corrupted write can clash with the cloud copy and roll a fortress back. There is no visible version history, so treat a manual copy of the save folder as your real backup, kept outside the game directory.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

The common loss is 'my progress rolled back' after a crash or a session on a second PC — the cloud synced an older or half-written save over the newer local one.

  1. Before relaunching after a crash, copy the Dwarf Fortress\save folder somewhere outside the game folder.
  2. If the cloud rolled your progress back, go offline / disable cloud sync for this game in its launcher before launching, so the bad cloud copy cannot sync down again.
  3. Restore your copied folder into the same path, launch once offline to confirm the right progress, then re-enable cloud so the good save uploads.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

One-line backup: paste this in Command Prompt (adjust the path if your Steam library is on another drive) to copy your whole Dwarf Fortress save folder to the Desktop.

robocopy "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\DF-save-backup" /E

Run it with the game closed. To restore, swap the source and destination paths.

How to open the save folder

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Save problems & fixes

FAQ

Where is the Dwarf Fortress save file on PC (Steam)?

Inside the install: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save\ — not in Documents or AppData. Each fortress is a region# folder. Use Steam > Manage > Browse local files to open it.

Does Dwarf Fortress on Steam use Steam Cloud?

Yes. The save folder syncs through Steam Cloud on launch and exit, so a bad local save can overwrite the good cloud copy — keep a manual copy of the save folder as a real backup.

How do I move my Dwarf Fortress saves to a new PC?

Let Steam Cloud sync, or copy the steamapps\common\Dwarf Fortress\save folder to the same spot inside the new install, keeping the region# subfolders intact.

Why can't I find my Dwarf Fortress saves in Documents?

Because Dwarf Fortress does not use Documents or AppData — the Steam build stores saves in its own install folder under \save, and the Classic build under \data\save.

Other games

Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.