Windows save location, manual saving and a separate backup

Make a known save before working with files

1. Open the Pause Menu and make a manual save before leaving the game or a major story choice.
2. Read any save-failure message. Do not count an attempted save as successful solely because you clicked Save.
3. Use the visible load list to confirm the expected entry and time.
4. Quit the game normally. Allow Steam’s visible synchronization to finish before making a separate copy.

Locate and copy the Windows folder

1. Open Windows File Explorer and paste the path above into its address bar. AppData can be hidden in ordinary folder browsing.
2. Confirm the ION LANDS/Nivalis Nights folder actually exists for the Windows account that plays the game.
3. With the game closed, copy the whole folder to a separate dated backup location outside the game’s active save folder.
4. Keep the original intact. Check that the copied folder contains the files you intended to preserve.

Copying the full folder avoids guessing which of the configured file patterns belongs to one slot. The Steam configuration does not establish a universal slot filename, a guaranteed restore procedure or which file you may safely delete. No save upload or editor is needed for this backup.

Cloud synchronization is not a second manual save

The official FAQ says Steam Cloud synchronizes saves when online, and that offline progress can sync on the next connection. A local backup made before an unwanted change preserves a separate snapshot; Cloud synchronization alone does not promise a history of earlier versions.

If local and Cloud states disagree, keep existing copies and record Steam’s actual message and timestamps before choosing. This guide supplies no forced-sync command or automatic conflict choice. Do not overwrite the only known-good copy while experimenting.

Missing folder, Deck and loading problems

If the folder is absent, confirm that this Windows account has launched the game and created a save. The published Windows root is not proof of a native Linux, macOS or Steam Deck compatibility-prefix path. Those locations remain unverified here.

For slow loading or a shorter review history, use the review-retention diagnosis. Before the story ending, use the separate pre-ending save checklist. Success for this task is a confirmed in-game save and a distinct file copy, not a claim that every missing save can be recovered.