How to Transfer Your Valheim Save to a New PC
Switching computers? Here's exactly which Valheim save files to copy, where they live, and how to make sure your progress loads on the new PC.
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim
Copy worlds_local (your maps) and characters_local (your characters) folders — you need both.
Where the files live: see the full Valheim save file location guide for every platform path (PS5, Xbox, Steam Cloud).
How to transfer your Valheim save to a new PC
- On the old PC, press Win+R, paste %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim, and press Enter to open the save folder.
- Select everything in that folder and copy it to a USB drive, cloud folder (OneDrive/Google Drive), or network share.
- Install Valheim on the new PC and launch it once, then close it — this creates the empty save folder.
- Copy both worlds_local and characters_local. A world without its character (or vice versa) leaves you unable to continue where you left off.
- On the new PC, open the same path (%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim) and paste the copied files in, overwriting if asked.
- Launch the game and confirm your progress loaded before deleting the backup copy.
Does cloud sync move it for you?
Yes on Steam if cloud saves are enabled — Valheim syncs both worlds and characters. If you disabled cloud (common for large worlds), copy both folders by hand.
Common mistakes
- Copying worlds but forgetting characters (or vice versa).
- Copying only the .fwl and skipping the matching .db world database file.
FAQ
How do I move my Valheim save to a new PC?
Copy the save folder at %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim from the old PC to the exact same path on the new PC, then launch the game. Use a USB drive, cloud storage, or a network share to move the files.
Will Valheim cloud saves transfer automatically?
Yes on Steam if cloud saves are enabled — Valheim syncs both worlds and characters. If you disabled cloud (common for large worlds), copy both folders by hand.
Where is the Valheim save folder on the old PC?
It's at %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\IronGate\Valheim. Paste that into the File Explorer address bar (or Win+R) to open it. See our full location guide for every platform.
Do I need to copy any other files?
Copy the whole save folder, not just one file — some games store settings, backups, or profile subfolders alongside the main save. Copying the entire folder avoids missing anything.