Half-Life 2 Save File Location
Last verified: 2026-09-20
- Windows (Steam)
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life 2\hl2\SAVE- Steam Cloud copy
Steam\userdata\<SteamID>\220- 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
Here's exactly where Half-Life 2 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
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life 2\hl2\SAVE
Saves are .sav files. If your Steam library is on another drive, swap the Program Files (x86) part for that library path. Episode saves sit in ep1\SAVE and ep2\SAVE.
Steam\userdata\<SteamID>\220
220 is Half-Life 2's Steam app ID. Steam Cloud mirrors your saves here so they follow your account.
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.
Cloud saves
Half-Life 2 uses Steam Cloud, so saves sync across PCs on the same account (userdata\220). If a bad sync overwrites progress, disable Steam Cloud for Half-Life 2, restore the .sav from hl2\SAVE, then turn it back on.
How to open the save folder
- In Steam, right-click Half-Life 2 › Manage › Browse local files.
- Open the hl2 folder, then SAVE.
- Copy the .sav files somewhere safe before verifying files or moving PCs.
- For the episodes, look in ep1\SAVE and ep2\SAVE within the same install.
Save problems & fixes
Half-Life 2 save missing on a new PC
Sign into the same Steam account and let Steam Cloud sync; the .sav files return to hl2\SAVE. If cloud was disabled, copy the SAVE folder from the old install manually.
Half-Life 2 save won't load
Make sure the .sav isn't read-only and matches the game version (an updated exe can reject older saves). Restore a known-good backup from hl2\SAVE.
FAQ
Where is the Half-Life 2 save file on PC?
In the game folder: Steam\steamapps\common\Half-Life 2\hl2\SAVE. The files end in .sav. Use Browse local files in Steam to open it fast.
Does Half-Life 2 use Steam Cloud?
Yes (app ID 220). Saves sync to userdata\<SteamID>\220 and carry across PCs on the same account. Verifying files won't wipe them.
Where are the Half-Life 2 episode saves?
Episode One and Two keep separate saves in ep1\SAVE and ep2\SAVE inside the same Half-Life 2 install folder.
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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.