Where Does Scratch Desktop Save Projects?
Scratch Desktop has no fixed project folder: File, Save to your computer downloads a .sb3 wherever you choose, usually Downloads, while web projects save to your Scratch account.
Last updated
Scratch confuses people because there is no projects folder to look in. The desktop app and the web editor both keep the work in memory until you save. Saving means downloading a .sb3 file to a location you pick, with Downloads as the usual default.
Signed in web users get cloud saves in their account instead. Offline work only exists as those .sb3 files, so losing the download means losing the project. Name files clearly at save time and keep one folder for Scratch work instead of scattering downloads.
Where Scratch stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Downloads
Save dialog location of your choice, defaulting to Downloads. Search *.sb3 to round up strays. Keep a dedicated folder since the app never organizes these for you.
~/Downloads
Same behavior as Windows through the Electron app. Use File, Save to your computer and pick the destination. Spotlight finds .sb3 files fast when one goes missing.
Frequently asked questions
Where did my Scratch project download go?
Open the downloads folder of your browser or the file manager and search for *.sb3. The editor always asks where to put the file on desktop, and browsers default to Downloads. Rename files at save time since the default names all look alike.
How do I open a .sb3 file?
Create a blank project in the editor, then use File, Load from your computer and pick the .sb3. The file replaces the blank project contents. Files up to the size limit open the same way on desktop and web.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.