Minecraft: Java Edition Save File Location
Last verified: 2026-09-20
Save file location (Windows): %APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves
- Windows
%APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves- macOS
~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/saves- Linux
~/.minecraft/saves
Here's exactly where Minecraft: Java Edition stores your worlds on every desktop platform, how to open the folder, and how to back them up.
Save file locations
%APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves
Full path: C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\saves\ . Each world is its own folder.
~/Library/Application Support/minecraft/saves
In Finder use Go › Go to Folder and paste the path.
~/.minecraft/saves
Hidden folder in your home directory; enable 'Show hidden files' to see it.
Cloud saves
Minecraft: Java Edition does not have built-in cloud saves — worlds live only on your PC, so manual backups matter. This is different from Bedrock Edition, which can sync worlds through Xbox / Microsoft account cloud.
Cloud save conflict & platform recovery
Minecraft: Java Edition has no Steam or Xbox cloud sync — worlds live only on your PC — so the usual "cloud conflict" here is confusing Java with Bedrock. Bedrock syncs through your Xbox / Microsoft account, but Java and Bedrock worlds are different formats and cannot be swapped between the two. If a Java world stops loading, recover it locally rather than looking for a cloud copy.
- Confirm the edition: Java worlds are folders in %APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves; Bedrock worlds live under the com.mojang minecraftWorlds folder and use Xbox cloud — never mix them.
- Inside the broken world's folder, look for level.dat_old — Minecraft keeps this automatic backup of the previous session; copy it over level.dat to roll back one save.
- If you use the Xbox app / Game Pass copy of Java, saves still stay in .minecraft locally, so back that folder up manually before every big change.
- Always copy the whole world folder somewhere safe before modding or moving PCs — there is no cloud to restore it from.
Every Minecraft: Java world lives as a sub-folder here, so one bad update or mod can wipe hours of building. Copy the whole saves tree before you touch anything:
robocopy "%APPDATA%\.minecraft\saves" "%USERPROFILE%\Desktop\Minecraft-Saves-Backup" /E /COPY:DAT /R:1 /W:1
This mirrors every world folder to your Desktop without altering the originals. Java stores each world separately, so keep this copy until the new install or mod loads all your worlds.
Moving to a new PC? Follow the step-by-step Minecraft Java Edition World Save Location (Windows, Mac, Linux) 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 %appdata% and press Enter.
- Open the .minecraft folder, then the saves folder.
- Copy the whole save folder somewhere safe before editing, modding, or moving PCs.
Save problems & fixes
Minecraft: Java Edition 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 Minecraft: Java Edition 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.
Minecraft: Java Edition 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.
Save won't load or shows as corrupted? See the Minecraft Java Edition World Save Location (Windows, Mac, Linux) corrupted save fix guide to recover your progress step by step.
Want to edit this save (money, items, stats)? See the Minecraft Java Edition World Save Location (Windows, Mac, Linux) save editor guide — which fields are safe to change and how to back up first.
FAQ
Where are Minecraft Java worlds saved on PC?
At C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\.minecraft\saves. Press Win+R, type %appdata%, then open .minecraft\saves. Each world is its own folder.
How do I back up a Minecraft world?
Copy the world's folder from the saves folder to a safe location. To restore or share it, paste the whole folder back into saves.
Does Minecraft Java have cloud saves?
No. Java Edition stores worlds only locally, so you must back them up manually. Bedrock Edition is the version that supports cloud sync.
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)
- Terraria Save File Location (PC, Mac, Mobile)
- Days Gone Save File Location (PC, Steam / Epic)
- Ghost of Yotei Save File Location (PS5, Cloud Backup)
- Mafia II Save File Location (Classic & Definitive Edition, PC/PS/Xbox)
- 7 Days to Die Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Painkiller (2025) Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- God of War (2018) Save File Corrupted? Fix & Recover (PC)
- Stellaris Save File Location (PC)
- How to Transfer Your Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Save to a New PC
- Deliver At All Costs Save File Location (PC)
- Slay the Spire Save File Location (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.