Where Does OpenMW Store Saves and Config?
Where OpenMW keeps its config, saves, and mods on each OS per official docs, plus Flatpak variants explained.
Last updated
OpenMW documents its paths officially per OS: XDG config and data homes on Linux, Preferences and Application Support on Mac, Documents My Games on Windows. Saves branch under the data root while config and logs share the config root. Flatpak nests both under its app ID.
Screenshots and OpenMW-CS mods each get their own branches beside saves. Version upgrades keep old saves readable forward only. The documented tables beat forum guesses whenever paths disagree. Bookmark the official page for upgrade season.
Where OpenMW stores this, by platform
~/.local/share/openmw/saves
Saves branch under the data home with config and logs in config home. Flatpak nests both under its app ID. XDG variables relocate the whole layout. Mods live in data branches beside saves.
~/Library/Application Support/openmw/saves
Saves under Application Support with config in Preferences. Same branch names as Linux inside each root. Keep saves across upgrades; formats move forward only.
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\OpenMW\saves
Documents My Games tree with saves branch inside. Config and logs sit at the tree root. Copy whole trees with the game closed for migration.
Frequently asked questions
how do I move OpenMW to a new PC
Copy the config tree and the saves tree to the new machine at matching OS paths. Mods travel separately from data folders or Steam Workshop. Newer releases read older saves, but never load new saves in old builds.
how do I relocate OpenMW folders
Point XDG variables at custom roots before launch to relocate everything cleanly. Config and data split across the two homes by design. Portable USB setups use this exact mechanism.
Flatpak or native paths
Flatpak builds nest both trees under their app ID in .var. Native packages use plain XDG homes. Check which tree holds live files before scripting backups across both installs.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.