Persona 5 Royal is another title where the storefront determines the storage model. Steam keeps user-scoped files under the SEGA P5R directory, while the Microsoft Store/Xbox app build relies on WGS. A useful backup must therefore capture the correct container for the copy you actually play. SaveEditor.com does not present the existence of third-party conversion workflows as proof that every platform save is directly compatible; the Game Hub separates location facts from conversion claims.
Where Persona 5 Royal stores PC saves
The researched save-location boundary is Windows: Steam: %APPDATA%SEGAP5RSteam<user-id>savedata
Microsoft Store: %LOCALAPPDATA%PackagesSEGAofAmericaInc.F0cb6b3aer_s751p9cej88mtSystemAppDatawgs<user-id> | Linux / Steam Play: Steam Play: <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1687950/pfx/. The known file or folder pattern is Steam savedata directory records; Microsoft Store WGS container records. This is the practical starting point because launcher, profile, and storefront context can change which copy is active even when two folders look similar.
Storefront and profile differences
Documented launchers or storefronts: Steam, Microsoft Store / Xbox app. The Steam and Microsoft Store versions use different storage systems. Account/profile IDs are part of the path and should be preserved when documenting or restoring a backup. When looking for a missing save, identify the executable/storefront you actually launched and the user/profile that created the progress before copying anything between directories.
Cloud synchronization
Steam Cloud and Xbox Cloud are documented for the corresponding storefronts. A cloud service should be treated as another copy of the save, not as proof that the local folder is disposable. Before a manual restore, let synchronization finish, make an offline backup, and avoid starting the game while files are being replaced.
What the files represent
Steam exposes a normal account-scoped savedata directory. The Microsoft Store build uses WGS. Decrypted PlayStation 4 saves have separate conversion considerations and are not treated as byte-compatible with the PC storefront containers. The current filename/folder evidence is Steam savedata directory records; Microsoft Store WGS container records. File-extension context: No single extension is sufficient to identify every relevant save record. A location guide does not claim that every file in the directory is safe to edit or that files from another storefront are automatically interchangeable.
If the save is not where expected
If the game starts without expected system/save data, verify the storefront, active user ID, and cloud state before overwriting anything. Proton users should also use a current compatibility layer when diagnosing old save-creation issues. Also check redirected Documents folders, Steam Play prefixes, account IDs, and launcher-specific containers where applicable. Preserve every candidate copy before testing a restore so troubleshooting does not destroy the only surviving version.
Verification context: Storefront-specific PC paths, cloud support, and the documented note about decrypted PS4 conversion were reviewed against current PCGamingWiki coverage.