Where should save files be located?

Had to reinstall Windows. Before doing that, I looked through my app data folder and moved all the game saves to a different hard drive, called the folder ".app data and Saved Games while reinstalling Windows," with period at the beginning so I'd see it above all the other folders on the hard drive, placing each save in respective Local, LocalRow and Roaming, so that I'd remember where to put them. Even though it wasn't the system drive, the Windows reinstall deleted all those folders. It also deleted the "Saved Games" folder that Windows places in Documents, which I moved to the same place. They're not hidden; I'm not that dumb. It's irksome how developers place their saves in so many weird locations.

Yes.

It's unfortunate Windows hides hidden files and folders by default. 'AppData' is an important folder. I still couldn't tell you wtf local and roaming are.

I do think it being in the user's local home directory is the right move.

Windows: "C:\Users\user\AppData"

Linux: "/home/user/.local"

That's where devs should store local data, so you can easily back it up with a daily script or something. I tend to treat my desktop PC as ephemeral. Can and will fail and automated backups can help avoid a bad time.

@warm_gun: This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Programs Files (x86) > Steam > userdata > 100822798

I see a lot of game folders at these location that seem to house saved game files:

C:\Users\Xxxxxx\Documents\My Games

C:\Users\Xxxxxx\Documents

C:\Users\Xxxxxx\AppData\Local

C:\Users\Xxxxxx\AppData\LocalLow

C:\Users\Xxxxxx\AppData\Roaming

There are other places, but it depends on what digital platform you use. Saved games are scattered, it can be hard to keep tabs on them all or even at times find where them.