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Factorio Save File Location

Quick answer: On PC, Factorio saves live in %APPDATA%\Factorio\saves and each save is a single .zip file. That's the default for the Steam and standalone builds. A 'standalone' (portable) copy can instead keep saves next to the executable if you extracted it that way.

Here's exactly where Factorio keeps your PC saves, why they're .zip files, and how to back up a factory before a big mod change.

Save file locations

Windows (default)
%APPDATA%\Factorio\saves

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\Factorio\saves\ . Each factory is one .zip — you can copy or email it as-is. Autosaves are named _autosave1.zip, _autosave2.zip, etc.

Windows (portable / standalone)
<Factorio folder>\saves

If you unzipped a standalone build and it created a 'saves' folder next to bin\, it uses that instead of AppData. Check there if the AppData folder looks empty.

Cloud saves

The Steam version of Factorio does not use Steam Cloud — saves stay in AppData\Factorio\saves. Because each save is a self-contained .zip, moving to a new PC is just copying the .zip files into the saves folder there.

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Paste %APPDATA%\Factorio\saves and press Enter.
  3. Copy the .zip file for your factory somewhere safe.
  4. To restore, drop the .zip back into this saves folder — it appears in the load list.

Save problems & fixes

Factorio save won't load — missing mods

The save lists the mods it was built with. Match them in %APPDATA%\Factorio\mods (or use 'Sync mods with save' in the load screen), then try again.

My saves folder is empty but I have factories

You're probably running a portable/standalone build that keeps saves next to the executable. Look for a 'saves' folder inside the Factorio program folder instead of AppData.

Lost progress after a crash

Load one of the _autosaveN.zip files in %APPDATA%\Factorio\saves — Factorio keeps several rolling autosaves by default.

FAQ

Where is the Factorio save file on PC?

C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\Factorio\saves. Each save is a .zip file.

Can I just send someone my Factorio save?

Yes — a Factorio save is a single .zip in the saves folder. Copy it out and share it; they drop it into their own saves folder to load it.

Where are Factorio autosaves?

In the same %APPDATA%\Factorio\saves folder, named _autosave1.zip through _autosave3.zip by default.

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.