Silksong Save File Locations

PC save folders

Steam places each user's files in a sub-folder named with that Steam user ID. Non-Steam builds use a default sub-folder.

How to open a hidden save folder

Windows

Press Windows + R, paste the Windows path, and press Enter. Using%USERPROFILE% avoids guessing the account name. If you browse manually, AppData may be hidden until hidden items are enabled in File Explorer.

macOS

In Finder, choose Go → Go to Folder, paste the macOS path, and press Return. The Library folder in your home directory is normally hidden, so Go to Folder is more reliable than clicking through folders.

Linux and Steam Deck desktop mode

Open the file manager's location field and paste the Linux path. Folders that begin with a dot, including .config, are hidden by default; enable hidden files if the folder is not visible.

Choose the correct Steam or default sub-folder

The platform folder is only the first level. Steam installations can contain one numeric sub-folder per Steam user who has played on that computer. Open the folder for the account that owns the affected run. Non-Steam installations usedefault. If several candidates exist, compare modification times after making a normal in-game save—do not upload every file and guess.

Copy the candidate file to a separate working folder before inspecting it. That keeps the live game directory untouched and makes it easier to compare the original, edited download, and any Auto Save recovery.

Which file is my slot?

user1.dat is slot 1, user2.dat is slot 2, and so on through slot 4. shared.dat contains shared state and is not the profile file this editor expects.

Match the slot shown on the Select Profile screen rather than relying only on file modification time. Keep the slot number in every backup filename or folder name so an edited user2.dat is never placed over slot 1 by mistake.

Backup before editing

1. Exit the game so it is not writing the save.
2. Copy the original userX.dat to a separate folder.
3. Upload the profile to the editor and use Download Original Backup as a second copy.
4. Only replace the in-game file after the edited download completes.

A useful backup set has three distinct copies: the untouched original, the edited download, and the file currently placed in the game folder. Do not overwrite the untouched copy when renaming or moving the edited file.

Auto Save recovery

Silksong creates auto saves at key points. Team Cherry's in-game Auto Saves option lists recoverable points for a slot. Reverting overwrites the current save, so copy the current file first.

Try an official Auto Save before a manual field edit when the goal is to undo a recent broken state. Auto Save recovery preserves relationships between progression values that a single guessed flag may not restore.

“Save could not be written” is not always corruption

Team Cherry says this message is commonly caused by virus protection blocking access to the save folder or by a full storage drive. Check free space and the security software's folder access before replacing or editing the file. A write permission problem should be fixed at the system level, not by changing JSON.

Version compatibility

A save opened in a newer game build can contain data an older build does not understand. Team Cherry says this can produce a “Version Incompatible” message. Update or switch the game build before blaming the save file.

The editor does not downgrade a save. If a newer build wrote additional data, restore the matching game version first and keep the original file until the slot opens successfully.

Avoid cloud-sync overwrite confusion

If your platform syncs saves, an older cloud copy may replace a local edit or a newer local copy may immediately replace the file you restored. Close the game, preserve both versions, and follow the platform's conflict prompt carefully. Do not repeatedly overwrite files while the game or sync client is actively writing the folder.

Restore an edited save safely

1. Confirm the edited download has the original userX.dat slot name.
2. Close Silksong completely.
3. Move the current live file to a dated backup folder instead of deleting it.
4. Copy the edited file into the matching Steam ID or default folder.
5. Launch the game and check the slot, location, inventory, and target change.
6. Save normally, close the game, and launch once more to verify the file remains readable.

Silksong save location FAQ

Why can I see the folder but not user1.dat?

You may be one level above the Steam ID or default sub-folder, the slot may not have been created yet, or a different operating-system account may own the game files. Create a normal save, exit the game, and check again.

Should I edit shared.dat?

No. This editor expects a numbered profile file. Keep shared.datuntouched unless you have a separate, verified reason and recovery plan.

Can I open a newer save in an older Silksong build?

Team Cherry says newer saves cannot be opened in older versions when they contain data the older build does not understand. Match or update the game version instead of removing unknown fields.