Where Does openMSX Store ROMs and Settings?
openMSX keeps user files under Documents/openMSX/share on Windows (~/.openMSX/share on Unix): system ROMs, saves, and settings.
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openMSX separates user files from install files cleanly, and the user tree is yours alone. System ROMs go in share/systemroms, software in share/software, and settings, saves, and screenshots accumulate in sibling folders. The installer only ever touches its own tree.
The environment variables redraw the map when needed. OPENMSX_HOME moves the user root; the finer variables split user and system shares. When the emulator cannot find ROMs, the hardware-test dialog shows the live search paths, which ends most path arguments.
Where openMSX stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\openMSX\share
systemroms for BIOS files, software for the rest, plus settings and saves. OPENMSX_HOME relocates the root. The installer tree under Program Files stays pristine.
~/.openMSX/share
Same user-tree layout on Unix. User config files appear under ~/.openMSX after first launch. Flatpak builds sandbox to the home folder, so keep files inside it.
Frequently asked questions
Where does openMSX actually look for files?
Open Main menu, then Machine, then Test MSX hardware. Buttons at the bottom open the exact searched folders for user and system files, which beats guessing from documentation.
How do I relocate the whole user tree?
Set OPENMSX_HOME to the desired root. All user data nests under it the same way. The installer never touches the user tree, so upgrades are safe regardless.
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