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The Witcher 3 Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-10-09

Save file location (Windows): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves

Quick answer: On PC, The Witcher 3 save files are stored in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves. Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding or moving to a new PC.
Windows
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves
Steam Deck / Linux (Proton)
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/292030/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/The Witcher 3/gamesaves
PlayStation 5 / PS4
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data
Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data

Here's exactly where The Witcher 3 keeps your saves on every platform, how to open the folder, and how to back them up before you mod or move PCs.

Save file locations

Windows
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves\ . Save files use the .sav extension. Note this is the same folder for the base game and the next-gen update.

Steam Deck / Linux (Proton)
~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/292030/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/The Witcher 3/gamesaves

On Steam Deck the save lives inside the game's Proton prefix, not in your Linux home. AppID 292030. Proton always names the Windows user 'steamuser' (never your Linux username). If the game is installed on a microSD card, look under the card's steamapps/compatdata/ instead. The folder won't appear until you've launched the game at least once.

PlayStation 5 / PS4
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.

Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One
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

On PC, The Witcher 3 supports cloud saves through Steam Cloud and GOG Galaxy. If you play across storefronts (Steam and GOG), the save formats are compatible — you can copy .sav files between the two gamesaves folders manually.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

The Witcher 3 stores PC saves in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves, but both Steam Cloud (Steam build) and GOG Galaxy cloud (GOG build) sync that folder. A conflict shows up if you played on two PCs or upgraded to the free Next-Gen/Complete edition, which uses a separate save set. Cloud sync overwrites — it never merges — so back up gamesaves before letting either launcher resolve.

  1. Fully exit The Witcher 3 and close Steam/GOG Galaxy before touching files, so the client doesn't re-sync mid-copy.
  2. Back up the folder: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves (this holds both classic and Next-Gen .sav slots).
  3. If you own both the classic and Next-Gen editions, note that Next-Gen saves carry a different suffix — keep both; deleting one can strip a playthrough.
  4. When Steam/GOG asks which version to keep, pick the copy whose timestamp matches your real last session; the newer cloud copy is not always yours.
  5. Moving to a new PC: sign into the SAME Steam/GOG account, let it sync once, then verify the gamesaves timestamp before playing so cloud doesn't roll you back.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

Steam Cloud or GOG Galaxy can overwrite Witcher 3 saves after a re-link. Copy the whole gamesaves folder before any sync fix:

robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Witcher3-Save-Backup" /E

Restore by copying files back with the game closed and cloud sync temporarily disabled, or the launcher will re-overwrite them on next launch.

Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step The Witcher 3 save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Type %userprofile%\Documents and press Enter.
  3. Open the The Witcher 3 folder, then the gamesaves folder.
  4. Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

The Witcher 3 save won’t load or says it’s corrupt

Many games keep an automatic backup next to the save (a .bak or numbered copy) — close the game, copy that backup over the broken file, and reopen. On Steam, also right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

My The Witcher 3 save is missing or the folder is empty

You are usually looking in the wrong sub-folder — open the numbered profile/Steam-ID folder inside the path above, not the parent. If it is still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy; reconnect and let the cloud sync complete before launching.

The Witcher 3 progress rolled back after a cloud conflict

When Steam or the console reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of “lost hours.” If unsure, disable cloud sync, back up the local folder first, then re-enable it.

Save won't load or shows as corrupted? See the The Witcher 3 corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.

FAQ

Where is The Witcher 3 save file on PC?

It's at C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\The Witcher 3\gamesaves. Press Win+R, type %userprofile%\Documents, and open The Witcher 3\gamesaves. Files end in .sav.

Does the next-gen update use the same saves?

Yes. The next-gen (v4.0) update reads your existing .sav files from the same gamesaves folder, so your old saves carry over.

How do I back up Witcher 3 saves?

Copy the .sav files (and matching .sav.png thumbnails) from the gamesaves folder to a safe location before installing mods.

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.