How to Transfer Your Minecraft: Java Edition Save to a New PC
Last verified: 2026-09-08
%APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves
Each world is its own folder inside .minecraft\saves. Copy the whole world folder(s) you want to the same path on the new PC.
Before you move anything, make a full backup of every Minecraft: Java Edition save on the OLD PC in one command. Press Win+R (or open Command Prompt), paste this, and hit Enter:
robocopy "%APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\MinecraftJavaEdition-save-backup" /E /COPY:DAT /R:1 /W:1
/E mirrors the whole save tree (every profile sub-folder and slot) to a backup folder on your Desktop without touching the originals. Copy that folder to the new PC, then restore by swapping the source and destination paths.
Switching computers? Here's exactly which Minecraft: Java Edition save files to copy, where they live, and how to make sure your progress loads on the new PC.
Where the files live: see the full Minecraft: Java Edition save file location guide for every platform path (PS5, Xbox, Steam Cloud).
How to transfer your Minecraft: Java Edition save to a new PC
- On the old PC, press Win+R, paste %APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves, and press Enter to open the save folder.
- Select everything in that folder and copy it to a USB drive, cloud folder (OneDrive/Google Drive), or network share.
- Install Minecraft: Java Edition on the new PC and launch it once, then close it — this creates the empty save folder.
- If you use mods or a custom launcher (CurseForge, Modrinth, MultiMC), the saves may live inside that instance's folder instead of .minecraft — copy the world folder from the matching instance and reinstall the same mods first.
- On the new PC, open the same path (%APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves) and paste the copied files in, overwriting if asked.
- Launch the game and confirm your progress loaded before deleting the backup copy.
Does cloud sync move it for you?
No. Minecraft: Java Edition has no built-in cloud saves — worlds exist only on your PC, so manual copying (or a backup tool) is the only way to move them. Java and Bedrock saves are not interchangeable.
Common mistakes
- Copying a single region/.dat file instead of the entire world folder.
- Loading a modded world on the new PC without reinstalling the same mods, which can corrupt or empty it.
FAQ
How do I move my Minecraft: Java Edition save to a new PC?
Copy the save folder at %APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves from the old PC to the exact same path on the new PC, then launch the game. Use a USB drive, cloud storage, or a network share to move the files.
Will Minecraft: Java Edition cloud saves transfer automatically?
No. Minecraft: Java Edition has no built-in cloud saves — worlds exist only on your PC, so manual copying (or a backup tool) is the only way to move them. Java and Bedrock saves are not interchangeable.
Where is the Minecraft: Java Edition save folder on the old PC?
It's at %APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves. Paste that into the File Explorer address bar (or Win+R) to open it. See our full location guide for every platform.
Do I need to copy any other files?
Copy the whole save folder, not just one file — some games store settings, backups, or profile subfolders alongside the main save. Copying the entire folder avoids missing anything.
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 Dave the Diver Save to a New PC
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- How to Transfer Your Satisfactory Save to a New PC
- How to Transfer Your Stardew Valley Save to a New PC
- How to Transfer Your Terraria 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.