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Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-09-11

Save file location (Windows (original / Steam)): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files

Quick answer: On PC, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas save files are stored in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files. Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding or moving to a new PC.
Windows (original / Steam)
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files

Here's exactly where the original Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas keeps your saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up.

Save file locations

Windows (original / Steam)
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files\ . Saves are GTASAsf1.b through GTASAsf8.b; settings live in gta_sa.set.

Cloud saves

The classic GTA San Andreas does not use Steam Cloud, so your .b save files stay only on your PC. The separate Definitive Edition syncs through the Rockstar Games Launcher instead. Back up the User Files folder manually before reinstalling.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

Classic GTA San Andreas does not use Steam Cloud, so the GTASAsf1.b…GTASAsf8.b files in Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files exist only on your PC — reinstalling or modding without a backup can wipe them permanently. The Definitive Edition is separate and syncs through the Rockstar Games Launcher, which can surface a cloud-vs-local conflict after offline play.

  1. Classic version: back up before modding or reinstalling — there is no cloud safety net.
  2. Exact backup command (Windows CMD): robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\SanAndreasBackup" /E
  3. This also copies gta_sa.set (your settings) alongside the .b slot files.
  4. Definitive Edition: if the Rockstar launcher reports a sync conflict, choose to review rather than auto-overwrite.
  5. Compare timestamps of the newest save against your last session elsewhere; keep the more recent one.
  6. If a bad sync or mod corrupted a slot, restore the whole User Files folder from your backup before launching again.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

GTA: San Andreas save files break after mod installs and definitive-edition mix-ups. Copy the User Files folder to the Desktop first — paste into Command Prompt:

robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\GTASA-Save-Backup" /E

/E preserves the GTASAsf1.b … GTASAsf8.b slot files. Restore by copying them back while the game is closed.

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Type %userprofile%\Documents and press Enter.
  3. Open the GTA San Andreas User Files folder.
  4. Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas save won’t load or says it’s corrupt

Many games keep an automatic backup next to the save (a .bak or numbered copy) — close the game, copy that backup over the broken file, and reopen. On Steam, also right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

My Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas save is missing or the folder is empty

You are usually looking in the wrong sub-folder — open the numbered profile/Steam-ID folder inside the path above, not the parent. If it is still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy; reconnect and let the cloud sync complete before launching.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas progress rolled back after a cloud conflict

When Steam or the console reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of “lost hours.” If unsure, disable cloud sync, back up the local folder first, then re-enable it.

FAQ

Where is the GTA San Andreas save file on PC?

It's at C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\GTA San Andreas User Files. Press Win+R, type %userprofile%\Documents, then open GTA San Andreas User Files. Saves are GTASAsf1.b to GTASAsf8.b.

How do I back up my GTA San Andreas save?

Copy the .b save files (and gta_sa.set) from the User Files folder to a safe location, then paste them back to restore.

Where are GTA San Andreas Definitive Edition saves?

The Definitive Edition stores saves separately and syncs them through the Rockstar Games Launcher cloud rather than the classic User Files folder.

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.