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Sons of the Forest Save File Location (Windows & Server)

Sons of the Forest Guide • Updated Aug 29, 2026

Sons of the Forest Save File Location

The path depends on whether the world is a client-hosted co-op save or a dedicated-server save. The safest rule is to identify the process's active data path, stop before copying, and preserve the entire save directory instead of guessing at individual files.

Client singleplayer or peer-to-peer saves

On Windows, client saves are commonly below:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForest\Saves\<SteamID64>\

Singleplayer and multiplayer folders are below the Steam ID directory. Steam/Proton layouts can differ; use the game's current local files and the latest community documentation rather than copying a Windows path into Linux.

Dedicated-server data

The official dedicated-server guide uses a separate Endnight data directory:

C:\Users\<user>\AppData\LocalLow\Endnight\SonsOfTheForestDS\

This directory contains the generated dedicatedserver.cfg, ownerswhitelist.txt, saves, and SonsGameSettings data. If the server starts with -userdatapath, that override is the source of truth.

What to copy

  • Copy the complete dedicated-server data directory for a reliable backup.
  • Keep dedicatedserver.cfg with the save so the port, slot, and data assumptions are recorded.
  • Do not rely on a guessed Companions/Kelvin.saved path or a single JSON file; save layouts can change by build.
  • For a provider, use its file manager or ask support which directory is mounted as the server user-data path.

Find the active path

  1. Inspect the start script or panel command for -userdatapath.
  2. Check the process working directory and most recently modified save directory.
  3. Stop the server before copying.
  4. Make a dated copy outside the install directory.

Back up and restore safely

Use the backup guide before updating or repairing a world. To restore, preserve the current directory first, put the dated copy back at the active data path, verify the JSON config, and run a private join test. Never delete the only current copy while diagnosing a rollback.

Related guides

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