Where Are Payday 3 Save Files Located?
Payday 3 keeps local config in AppData Local under PAYDAY3 Saved, while most progression lives on Starbreeze servers.
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Payday 3 is always online, so expectations need adjusting. Your heist progression lives server side on your Starbreeze account, not in a save file you can carry on a USB stick. What sits on disk is config, cache, and a thin local layer.
On PC that layer is the PAYDAY3 folder in local AppData, with settings under Saved Config. Steam Cloud mirrors part of it under userdata for app ID 1272080. Back up the Saved folder for convenience, but account login is what actually restores your progress.
Where Payday 3 stores this, by platform
%LOCALAPPDATA%\PAYDAY3\Saved
GameUserSettings.ini under Saved Config WindowsClient is the graphics config. Game Pass builds use a WinGDK subfolder instead of WindowsClient.
<SteamLibrary>/steamapps/compatdata/1272080/pfx/
Proton prefix for app ID 1272080. The Windows PAYDAY3 path is mirrored inside the prefix drive. Cloud copies sit in userdata under the same ID.
Frequently asked questions
How do I back up Payday 3 before reinstalling?
Copy the PAYDAY3 Saved folder for settings and local files. Real progression (levels, unlocks, money) syncs from your Starbreeze account, so log in after reinstalling.
Where is the Payday 3 graphics config file?
Yes. GameUserSettings.ini under Saved Config WindowsClient holds graphics and input options. Edit it while the game is closed or the launcher overwrites it.
Can Steam Cloud restore my local files?
Check Steam userdata for app ID 1272080. Cloud keeps a copy of local files there, which helps when the AppData folder was wiped by a reinstall.
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