Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin Save File Location
Last verified: 2026-09-21
Save file location (Windows (Steam)): %APPDATA%\DarkSoulsII\<SteamID-folder>
- Windows (Steam)
%APPDATA%\DarkSoulsII\<SteamID-folder>- PlayStation (PS3/PS4/PS5)
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data- Xbox (360 / One / Series X|S)
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data
Here's exactly where Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin keeps your saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up before you reinstall or move to a new PC.
Save file locations
%APPDATA%\DarkSoulsII\<SteamID-folder>
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\DarkSoulsII\<numbers>\ . The character save is DS2SOFS0000.sl2 (the original non-Scholar release uses DARKSII0000.sl2).
Settings › Saved Data and Game/App Settings › Saved Data
Console saves are sealed and can't be copied as raw files. Back them up to PS Plus cloud or a USB drive from this menu.
My games & apps › <Game> › Manage game › Saved data
Xbox saves sync automatically to the cloud with your Microsoft account; there is no user-accessible save file on disk.
Cloud saves
Scholar of the First Sin on Steam uses Steam Cloud. If an offline session and the cloud copy disagree, Steam asks which to keep — choose the newer DS2SOFS0000.sl2 so you don't roll back your character.
How to open the save folder
- Press Win + R to open the Run box.
- Type %appdata%\DarkSoulsII and press Enter.
- Open the folder named after your Steam ID (a long string of numbers).
- Copy DS2SOFS0000.sl2 somewhere safe before editing or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
Dark Souls 2 save is corrupted or won't load
Restore a backup copy of DS2SOFS0000.sl2 into the same DarkSoulsII\<numbers> folder. The .sl2 is tied to your Steam ID, so it must go back into the folder named after the same account.
Save missing on a new PC
The folder is named after your Steam ID — sign into the same Steam account, let Steam Cloud sync, then launch. Copying an .sl2 into a folder with a different ID won't load.
FAQ
Where is the Dark Souls 2 save file on PC?
At C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\DarkSoulsII\<numbers>\DS2SOFS0000.sl2 for Scholar of the First Sin. Enable 'Show hidden files' to see AppData.
Why can't I find the AppData\DarkSoulsII folder?
AppData is hidden by default — turn on 'Show hidden files and folders' in File Explorer's View options, or type %appdata%\DarkSoulsII in the Run box.
Does Dark Souls 2 use Steam Cloud?
Yes, Scholar of the First Sin syncs to Steam Cloud. On a conflict keep the newer save so you don't lose progress.
Other games
- A Plague Tale: Requiem Save File Location (PC, Steam, GOG, Game Pass)
- Celeste Save File Location (PC, Steam, GOG, itch)
- Content Warning Save File Location (PC, Steam Deck)
- How to Transfer Your Borderlands 4 Save to a New PC
- How to Transfer Your Sid Meier's Civilization VII Save to a New PC
- How to Transfer Your Deliver At All Costs Save to a New PC
- How to Transfer Your Dispatch Save to a New PC
- How to Transfer Your Dying Light: The Beast Save to a New PC
Need another game or a quick backup? Use the Save Location Finder — pick any game to get its exact save path plus a ready-to-run backup command.