Grand Theft Auto III Save File Location
Last verified: 2026-09-20
- Windows (original / Steam)
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA3 User Files- Windows (Definitive Edition)
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA III Definitive Edition\Profiles- PlayStation (PS3/PS4/PS5)
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data- Xbox (360 / One / Series X|S)
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data- Nintendo Switch
System Settings › Data Management › Save Data Cloud
Here's exactly where Grand Theft Auto III keeps your saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up before you reinstall or move to a new PC.
Save file locations
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\GTA3 User Files
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\GTA3 User Files\ . Saves are GTA3sf1.b … GTA3sf8.b for the 8 slots; gta3.set holds settings. This folder is separate from the Steam install.
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA III Definitive Edition\Profiles
The remaster keeps saves under a profile (user-ID) folder here and syncs through the Rockstar Games launcher.
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data
Console saves are sealed and can't be copied as raw files. Back them up to PS Plus cloud or a USB drive from this menu.
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data
Xbox saves sync automatically to the cloud with your Microsoft account; there is no user-accessible save file on disk.
System Settings › Data Management › Save Data Cloud
Switch save data stays inside the system storage and can only be backed up via Save Data Cloud (Switch Online), not copied as loose files.
Cloud saves
The original GTA III has no cloud sync — the GTA3sf#.b files in Documents\GTA3 User Files are the only copy, so back them up manually. The Definitive Edition syncs through the Rockstar Games launcher (Social Club) cloud.
How to open the save folder
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Type %userprofile%\Documents and press Enter.
- Open GTA3 User Files (original) or Rockstar Games\GTA III Definitive Edition\Profiles (Definitive).
- Copy the GTA3sf#.b (or Definitive-Edition save) files somewhere safe before reinstalling or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
GTA III save won't load or is missing
Confirm the folder: original saves are in Documents\GTA3 User Files, Definitive Edition in Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA III Definitive Edition. Restore a backed-up GTA3sf#.b file if the current slot is damaged.
GTA III save slots empty after reinstall
Reinstalling doesn't touch the Documents save folder, so your GTA3sf#.b files should remain — check the same Windows user. For Definitive Edition, sign into the same Rockstar account and let cloud sync finish.
FAQ
Where is the GTA III save file on PC?
The original saves to C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\GTA3 User Files (GTA3sf1.b … GTA3sf8.b). The Definitive Edition uses Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA III Definitive Edition\Profiles.
How do I back up GTA III saves?
Copy the GTA3sf#.b files out of Documents\GTA3 User Files (original), or the profile folder under Documents\Rockstar Games (Definitive). Restore by pasting them back.
Does GTA III have cloud saves?
The original doesn't — back up the Documents\GTA3 User Files folder yourself. The Definitive Edition syncs via the Rockstar Games launcher.
Other games
- Europa Universalis IV Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Factorio Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Fallout 3 Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Fallout: New Vegas Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- God of War (2018) Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Grounded Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- GTA V Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Hades Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
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.