Grand Theft Auto IV Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-09-11

Save file location (Windows (Steam / Complete Edition)): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames

Quick answer: On PC, Grand Theft Auto IV save files are stored in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames. Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding or moving to a new PC.

Windows (Steam / Complete Edition): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames

Here's exactly where Grand Theft Auto IV keeps your saves on PC, how to open the folder, and how to back them up.

Save file locations

Windows (Steam / Complete Edition)

%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames\ . Some installs use a 'GTA IV' or 'Grand Theft Auto IV' subfolder depending on the version.

Cloud saves

GTA IV on PC does not use Steam Cloud, so your saves stay local. Copy the savegames folder to a safe location before reinstalling Windows or switching machines.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

GTA IV on PC does NOT use Steam Cloud — saves are local only, so there is no sync conflict dialog, but that also means nothing is backing you up automatically. The bigger trap is legacy: pre-2020 Complete Edition used Games for Windows Live (GFWL), which stored saves under a separate GFWL profile folder; the current Steam build (GFWL removed) keeps them in Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames. If you migrated from an old GFWL install, your old saves are in the GFWL folder and will NOT appear in the new location. Always copy the savegames folder manually before reinstalling.

Confirm your build: the current Steam version has NO GFWL prompt on launch and writes to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames.
Legacy GFWL saves (old Complete Edition) live under %USERPROFILE%\Documents\... in a GFWL 'Games\GTA IV' profile subfolder tied to your Live ID — copy those out before migrating or they are lost.
There is no cloud to overwrite you, so the ONLY backup is manual: copy the whole savegames folder somewhere safe before modding, patching, or moving PCs.
Exact backup command (Windows CMD): robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\GTAIVSaveBackup" /E
Moving to a new PC: copy the savegames folder to the same path on the new machine — because there is no Steam Cloud, saves never transfer on their own.

Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

GTA IV savegames break after the Complete Edition update and Social Club re-links. Copy them to the Desktop before verifying files or switching PCs:

robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\GTA-IV-Save-Backup" /E

/E keeps the folder structure intact. Restore by copying the files back into the same savegames folder while the game is closed.

Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step GTA IV save transfer guide to copy your progress across without losing anything.

How to open the save folder

Press Win + R to open the Run box.
Type %userprofile%\Documents and press Enter.
Open Rockstar Games > GTA IV > savegames.
Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

Grand Theft Auto IV save won’t load or says it’s corrupt

Many games keep an automatic backup next to the save (a .bak or numbered copy) — close the game, copy that backup over the broken file, and reopen. On Steam, also right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

My Grand Theft Auto IV save is missing or the folder is empty

You are usually looking in the wrong sub-folder — open the numbered profile/Steam-ID folder inside the path above, not the parent. If it is still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy; reconnect and let the cloud sync complete before launching.

Grand Theft Auto IV progress rolled back after a cloud conflict

When Steam or the console reports a save conflict, always keep the version with the LATER timestamp. Choosing the older cloud copy overwrites newer local progress — the most common cause of “lost hours.” If unsure, disable cloud sync, back up the local folder first, then re-enable it.

FAQ

Where is the GTA IV save file on PC?

It's at C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames. Press Win+R, type %userprofile%\Documents, then open Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames.

Does GTA IV use Steam Cloud?

No, the PC version stores saves locally, so back up the savegames folder yourself before moving PCs.

How do I back up my GTA IV saves?

Copy the save files from the savegames folder to a USB drive or another folder, then paste them back to restore.

Other games

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.