For Resident Evil 4 (2023), the critical backup context is the account-scoped Steam directory. Copying one .bin file without knowing which Steam identity and folder it came from can create a misleading sense that the save is portable. The safer backup is the complete win64_save directory plus a note of the Steam account. On macOS, preserve the entire CAPCOM SaveData directory instead. SaveEditor.com records the user-ID binding because it directly affects restoration and future editor compatibility.
Start with the least destructive explanation
When Resident Evil 4 progress appears missing, first verify the active PC location: Windows: Steam: <Steam-folder>userdata<user-id>2050650remotewin64_save | macOS: $HOME/Library/Containers/jp.co.capcom.RE4US/Data/Library/Application Support/CAPCOM/jp.co.capcom.RE4US/SaveData | Linux / Steam Play: Steam Play: <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/2050650/pfx/. Expected files/folders: win64_save directory records. Many apparent save failures are actually profile, storefront, path-redirection, or cloud-selection problems rather than damaged game data.
Preserve every surviving copy
Back up the complete win64_save directory for Steam, or the complete SaveData directory on macOS. Record the account that created the backup. Before renaming, moving, replacing, or opening candidate backups, copy them outside the live directory. Do not use the only surviving file as the test specimen for repair or editing.
Check launcher and cloud state
Storefront context: Steam, macOS App Store. The Windows/Steam and macOS container paths are different. Keep account/profile context with the backup instead of treating isolated .bin files as anonymous portable saves. Cloud notes: Steam Cloud is documented for saves and most settings. A sync client can reintroduce an older or newer version after a manual restore, so recovery work should keep local and cloud copies conceptually separate until the wanted progress is confirmed.
Use format and compatibility clues
The 2023 Resident Evil 4 remake stores Steam PC saves in the account-scoped win64_save directory. PCGamingWiki notes that saves are tied to the Steam user ID. Steam saves are account-associated. A file from another Steam identity may require a dedicated account-aware conversion workflow; this Game Hub does not claim direct portability. If the file exists but is ignored, compare the complete directory structure, slot/profile naming, game edition, mods/DLC, and any companion metadata. Do not assume an extension change or generic checksum tool can repair a game-specific container.
Game-specific troubleshooting
If copied saves are ignored, restore the untouched original and confirm account ownership, folder level, and cloud synchronization before attempting another replacement. If a known-good backup works, preserve it and create a fresh in-game save before further experiments. If no copy works, prefer read-only inspection and source-backed game-specific tooling over repeated writes.
Verification context: Steam, macOS, Steam Play paths and account-binding notes were reviewed against current PCGamingWiki coverage for Resident Evil 4 (2023).