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Kerbal Space Program Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-10-08

Save file location (Windows (KSP1, Steam)): Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\saves

Quick answer: On PC, Kerbal Space Program (KSP1) stores saves inside the install folder at ...\Kerbal Space Program\saves\ , one subfolder per campaign, each containing persistent.sfs (the live save) plus timestamped quicksave .sfs files. On a standard Steam install that is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\saves . Because the saves sit in the install folder, a Steam update, Verify Integrity, or reinstall can delete them — copy your campaign folder OUT of the install directory regularly, especially before a version jump. (KSP2 is different: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Intercept Games\Kerbal Space Program 2\Saves.)
Windows (KSP1, Steam)
Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\saves
Save file (KSP1)
saves\<campaign>\persistent.sfs
Windows (KSP2)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Intercept Games\Kerbal Space Program 2\Saves

Kerbal Space Program (KSP1) saves your whole space program inside its OWN install folder — which is exactly why a Steam update or reinstall can wipe hundreds of hours. Here is the exact PC path, which file matters, and how to back it up outside the danger zone.

Save file locations

Windows (KSP1, Steam)
Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\saves

Full default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\saves\ . One folder per campaign; persistent.sfs is the live save. Quick route: right-click KSP > Manage > Browse local files, then open saves.

Save file (KSP1)
saves\<campaign>\persistent.sfs

persistent.sfs is your current progress; quicksave.sfs and timestamped .sfs files are extra snapshots. Back up the whole campaign folder to keep them together.

Windows (KSP2)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Intercept Games\Kerbal Space Program 2\Saves

Kerbal Space Program 2 moved saves out of the install folder to AppData\LocalLow\Intercept Games. If you play KSP2, use this path instead.

Cloud saves

KSP1 saves live in the install folder and are not reliably cloud-synced, so Steam Cloud is not a safety net. The only real backup is you copying your campaign folder (with persistent.sfs) somewhere OUTSIDE the install directory — a Steam update, Verify Integrity, or reinstall can wipe the saves folder.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

Classic loss: an entire space program gone after a Steam update, a Verify Integrity of Game Files, or a reinstall — because the save sits in the install folder those operations rewrite.

  1. With the game closed, copy your campaign folder (containing persistent.sfs) out of ...\Kerbal Space Program\saves to a safe place.
  2. Do this before every version update — major KSP updates are the most common way saves are lost.
  3. To restore, paste the campaign folder back into the saves directory; it reappears in the in-game load list.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

How to open the save folder

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Save problems & fixes

FAQ

Where is the Kerbal Space Program save file on PC?

For KSP1, inside the install folder at ...\Kerbal Space Program\saves\<campaign>\persistent.sfs — on Steam usually under steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program.

Which KSP file is the actual save?

persistent.sfs in your campaign folder is the live save; quicksave.sfs and timestamped .sfs files are extra snapshots. Back up the whole campaign folder.

Why did my KSP saves disappear after an update?

KSP1 saves live in the install folder, so a Steam update, Verify Integrity, or reinstall can delete them. Copy your campaign folder out before updating.

Where are Kerbal Space Program 2 saves?

KSP2 uses %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Intercept Games\Kerbal Space Program 2\Saves, not the install 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.