Steam saves: find the folder, then keep a copy.

Which folder should you copy?

Press Windows + R, paste the path below, and open it in File Explorer. This is the Windows user-data folder, separate from the game installation directory.

%LOCALAPPDATA%\ValorMortis\Saved\SaveGames

SteamDB’s cloud configuration lists Autosave0.sav, backup/signature patterns, AchievementsSaveGame.sav and UserSettingsSaveGame.sav. Copy the folder rather than selecting a presumed fixed number of files.^[1]

These are Steam Windows references. The Xbox app/Game Pass PC location and console save handling are not verified here.

Make a backup before another change

1. Exit to desktop and allow any pending Steam synchronization to finish. Do not copy while the game is saving.
2. Copy the entire SaveGames folder to a separate location. Name the copy with the date, time and a short milestone, such as before-university-return.
3. Check that the copied folder contains files. Keep this copy when making the next backup instead of overwriting your only earlier state.
4. Before installing a gameplay mod, keep another dated copy. The mod installation guide explains why changing one component at a time helps diagnosis.

The folder-copy method follows the published Windows guide; dated milestones and retaining earlier copies are our backup organization advice, not a tested recovery procedure.^[2]

If your items or progress have already disappeared

A Steam Windows player reported losing items and Ambers after a cutscene crash. That is a documented individual report, not a known occurrence rate or proof of the cause of every reset.^[3]

• Preserve a copy of the current folder before more troubleshooting. Keep any older backup separate.
• Record the last good milestone, the crash or cutscene, platform and game build. Note whether Steam reported a cloud conflict.
• Do not treat a .bak extension as proof that it is the right earlier state, or rename/replace files on that assumption. Cloud synchronization also needs consideration before an older copy is restored.

For lost progression, use Lyrical Games · submit a support request ↗ (opens in a new tab). Include the circumstances and ask what diagnostic/save files support needs; the official PC FAQ requests system and diagnostic information for technical reports.^[4]

Is GameUserSettings.ini the campaign save?

No. The published PC guide places graphics configuration at %LOCALAPPDATA%\ValorMortis\Saved\Config\Windows\GameUserSettings.ini. Changing that file is not a documented way to restore missing campaign progress.^[2]