How do games remember save files after deletion?
How do games remember save files after deletion?
I frequently remove a game from my device only to fetch the latest update, yet find my previous save intact. This seems odd, but it raises questions—do games keep saves inside Windows, and if so, where are they stored? Am I missing numerous save files scattered across my system?
That's correct. Over the past few years, file organization has changed—saves aren't stored in the same folders as games anymore. They often live in subdirectories within Windows/Users/yourusername... And even after uninstalling a game, the files remain, accumulating dust over time.
Files are typically kept apart from the game files themselves. Where you save them depends on the game, though most use folders like my documents or appdata. Cloud backups also exist for save data, similar to how Steam handles it.
Individuals often remove them during the process of clearing old files. These items usually reside in appdata, which can be quickly reached by typing %appdata% into the explorer bar.
It's quite chaotic, with each game featuring unique settings and no clear indication of which one is being referenced. I find it confusing that there isn't a consistent standard for this.
Absolutely, that's frustrating. It's often inconvenient when folders are labeled by company instead of the game itself. I wish they could be named consistently for easier access. I just want a cleaner, more straightforward location.