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The Forest Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-10-08

Save file location (Windows (Steam)): %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest

Quick answer: On PC, The Forest stores saves at C:\Users\<you>\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest\ , inside a folder named with your numeric SteamID, then split into a Singleplayer and a Multiplayer subfolder with numbered slot folders (Slot1, Slot2, ...). The fastest route is Win+R, paste %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest and press Enter. AppData\LocalLow is hidden by default. Each slot folder holds the GameSetup / PlayerInventorySave / WorldObjectLocationSave .json files — copy the whole TheForest folder to back up every world.
Windows (Steam)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest
Singleplayer vs Multiplayer
...\TheForest\<SteamID>\Singleplayer and ...\Multiplayer
Steam Cloud copy
Steam userdata (managed by Steam)

The Forest hides your saves in the LocalLow AppData tree, split into separate Singleplayer and Multiplayer folders — which is why co-op players so often 'lose' a world that's really just in the other folder. Here is the exact PC path, how to open it, and how to back it up.

Save file locations

Windows (Steam)
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest

Full default: C:\Users\<you>\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest\<SteamID>\ . Inside are Singleplayer and Multiplayer folders, each with numbered Slot folders. AppData\LocalLow is hidden by default — use the Run box or enable Show hidden files.

Singleplayer vs Multiplayer
...\TheForest\<SteamID>\Singleplayer and ...\Multiplayer

A co-op (hosted) world is ONLY in the Multiplayer folder; a solo world is ONLY in Singleplayer. If a save looks missing, check the other folder before panicking.

Steam Cloud copy
Steam userdata (managed by Steam)

The Steam version syncs saves via Steam Cloud on launch/exit. A corrupted local slot can overwrite the good cloud copy, so keep a manual backup.

Cloud saves

The Forest uses Steam Cloud on the Steam version, syncing on launch and exit. Because a half-written or corrupted slot can overwrite your good cloud copy the next time you launch, treat a manual copy of the whole SKS\TheForest folder as your real backup.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

Common confusion/loss: a co-op world 'disappears' (it's actually in the Multiplayer folder, not Singleplayer), or progress rolls back after a crash when Steam Cloud syncs an older slot.

  1. First, check BOTH the Singleplayer and Multiplayer folders under ...\SKS\TheForest\<SteamID> — a hosted world lives only in Multiplayer.
  2. Before relaunching after a crash, copy the whole SKS\TheForest folder somewhere safe.
  3. If the cloud rolled progress back, disable Steam Cloud for The Forest (or go offline), restore your copied slot, launch once to confirm, then re-enable cloud.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

How to open the save folder

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Save problems & fixes

FAQ

Where is The Forest save file on PC?

In C:\Users\<you>\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest\<SteamID>\ , split into Singleplayer and Multiplayer slot folders. Open it with %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\SKS\TheForest.

Why did my co-op world disappear in The Forest?

A hosted co-op world is saved only in the Multiplayer folder, not Singleplayer. Check ...\TheForest\<SteamID>\Multiplayer.

Does The Forest use Steam Cloud?

Yes, on the Steam version — it syncs on launch and exit, so a bad local slot can overwrite the good cloud copy. Keep a manual backup.

How do I move The Forest saves to a new PC?

Copy the SKS\TheForest folder to the same AppData\LocalLow path on the new PC before first launch, or let Steam Cloud sync.

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.