Where Does OpenTTD Store Saves and Config?
Where OpenTTD keeps openttd.cfg, saves, and NewGRFs on each OS, and how the directory search order works..
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OpenTTD documents a full directory map: config at the root of its personal folder, saves and autosaves in branches, NewGRFs and AIs in their own trees. Windows and Mac center on Documents while Linux splits XDG config and data homes. The game creates missing files on close.
Search order decides ties between shared and personal trees, so multi-user setups stay sane. Screenshots and autosaves always follow the config file. Third-party content belongs in shared dirs with config kept personal per the official guidance.
Where OpenTTD stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\OpenTTD
Config plus save, autosave, screenshot, and newgrf branches. The game creates openttd.cfg on close when missing. Shared content goes in system dirs with config kept personal. Check the documented priority list when files seem split.
~/.config/openttd
XDG split: config under config home with saves and data under data home. Legacy ~/.openttd paths linger on old installs. Same branch names as Windows inside each root.
~/Documents/OpenTTD
Documents-centered tree like Windows with identical branch names. Shared versus personal split follows the same documented order. Treat autosaves as disposable and saves as precious.
Frequently asked questions
how do I move OpenTTD to a new PC
Copy openttd.cfg plus save, screenshot, and newgrf folders to the new machine at matching OS paths. Third-party content rides along in the same tree. Keep config personal while sharing content folders read-only across users.
how do I share NewGRFs between users
Place shared files in the system directory and keep openttd.cfg personal, which the documented search order supports. Saves land beside the config when no higher-priority save folder exists. XDG builds split config and data across standard homes.
where is openttd.cfg
Look through the documented directory list in priority order; the game creates the file on close when missing. Windows uses Documents, Linux splits XDG config and data, Mac uses Documents. Install-folder copies work when placed before first run.
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