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Hearts of Iron IV Save File Location

Last verified: 2026-09-20

Save file location (Windows): %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games

Quick answer: On PC, Hearts of Iron IV save files are stored in %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games (files end in .hoi4). Copy that folder to back up your progress before modding or moving to a new PC.
Windows
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games
Mac / Linux
Same publisher folder under your home directory

Here's exactly where Hearts of Iron IV stores your save files on PC, how cloud sync works, and how to back them up before modding or switching computers.

Save file locations

Windows
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games

Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games\ . Saves are single .hoi4 files. Ironman saves share the folder and the extension.

Mac / Linux
Same publisher folder under your home directory

Hearts of Iron IV is PC-only (no console version). On macOS/Linux the save lives in the equivalent user folder for this publisher; on Windows use the path above.

Cloud saves

Yes, via Steam Cloud when enabled. Same account + cloud on = saves appear on the new PC; otherwise copy the save games folder manually.

Cloud save conflict & platform recovery

Hearts of Iron IV stores saves in your Documents (Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games), and Steam Cloud syncs that whole folder to your account. After a bad sync Steam can push an older cloud copy of a .hoi4 file over your newer campaign — and Ironman campaigns are worst-hit because each one is a single .hoi4 file that is overwritten in place, so an outdated cloud version can wipe hours of progress with no in-game backup.

  1. Fully exit HOI4 and quit Steam (right-click tray icon > Exit) so background sync can't overwrite the folder while you copy.
  2. Copy the whole save games folder from %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games to your Desktop as a safety copy before launching again.
  3. If Steam shows a Cloud Conflict dialog on launch, choose the version with the newer date/larger size — when unsure pick 'Upload to Steam Cloud' only after restoring your Desktop copy, never blindly 'Download'.
  4. To stop recurring overwrites, set Steam Cloud off for HOI4 (Properties > General), restore your good .hoi4 from the Desktop, launch once to confirm, then re-enable Cloud so it uploads the correct save.
  5. Note: editing a .hoi4 by hand or restoring across accounts disables Ironman achievements for that campaign — the game validates the save's checksum.
Back up first (Windows) — copy & run

HOI4 keeps your campaigns as .hoi4 files in a Documents folder that Steam Cloud syncs, so a bad sync can overwrite an Ironman save. Copy the folder before continuing, modding, or moving PCs:

robocopy "%USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\HOI4-Save-Backup" /E /COPY:DAT /R:1 /W:1

Run before verifying files or switching PCs. Quit Steam before restoring so it uploads your restored .hoi4 instead of re-downloading the old cloud copy.

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

How to open the save folder

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run box.
  2. Paste %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games and press Enter.
  3. Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.

Save problems & fixes

Hearts of Iron IV save won't load or says it's corrupt

Load an earlier autosave from the same folder. HOI4 autosaves on a set interval; keep cloud on for an off-machine backup.

My Hearts of Iron IV save is missing or the folder looks empty

You may be looking in the wrong place — the folder is exact (watch Documents vs AppData). If Documents is synced to OneDrive, also check %USERPROFILE%\OneDrive\Documents. If it's still empty, cloud sync may not have finished before the game overwrote the local copy.

Hearts of Iron IV progress rolled back after a cloud conflict

When Steam 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, back up the local folder, then re-enable it.

Save won't load or shows as corrupted? See the Hearts of Iron IV corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.

FAQ

Where is the Hearts of Iron IV save file on PC?

It's at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games (files end in .hoi4). Press Win+R, paste that path, and press Enter to open it.

How do I fix a corrupted Hearts of Iron IV save?

Load an earlier autosave from the same folder. HOI4 autosaves on a set interval; keep cloud on for an off-machine backup.

How do I back up Hearts of Iron IV saves before modding?

Copy the entire save folder at %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Paradox Interactive\Hearts of Iron IV\save games somewhere safe before adding mods, so you can restore it if a mod breaks the save.

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.