NieR: Automata is a case where backing up only “the save slot” can miss important surrounding state. Steam exposes three SlotData files but also stores GameData and SystemData in the same Documents directory. Ending and presentation state can therefore outlive a single slot replacement. SaveEditor recommends treating the folder as one backup set, then making any slot-level experiment only on a copy. Microsoft Store is additionally separated by its WGS container, so its files should not be treated as Steam .dat files solely because the gameplay is the same.
Choose the correct backup boundary
For NieR: Automata, the researched PC save location is Windows: Steam: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsMy GamesNieR_Automata ; Microsoft Store: %LOCALAPPDATA%Packages39EA002F.NieRAutomataPC_n746a19ndrrjgSystemAppDatawgs. The known save file or folder pattern is Steam: SlotData_0.dat, SlotData_1.dat, SlotData_2.dat plus GameData.dat and SystemData.dat.. Back up the complete NieR_Automata folder on Steam, including SlotData, GameData, and SystemData, before replacing one slot. Preserve the full WGS tree on Microsoft Store. Copying the complete documented save boundary is safer than selecting one visually obvious file, because companion metadata, indexes, backups, or multiple slots can be required together.
Make an offline copy before changing anything
Close the game first, wait for the active launcher to finish writing, then copy the save data to a separate folder that the game and sync client do not watch. Label the copy with the game, storefront, profile, and date. Documented launcher context: Steam, Microsoft Store. Steam and Microsoft Store use different containers; cross-store transfers may require renaming and account/ID-aware handling rather than a raw overwrite.
Account for cloud saves
Steam Cloud and Xbox Cloud can restore saves for their storefronts. Before restoring an older backup, decide which copy should win. If the game or launcher starts while an older manual copy is in place, synchronization can replace it before you confirm that it works. Keep the untouched backup outside the live save path until the restored progress has been opened and saved normally.
Restore without changing format assumptions
Steam stores three slot files alongside broader game/system data. Microsoft Store wraps saves in WGS containers. A slot file alone does not necessarily represent every piece of progression or presentation state. Compatibility note: Ending-related and global progression can involve GameData in addition to SlotData. Do not assume one slot file is the only state worth preserving. Restore into the matching storefront/profile context whenever possible. Do not rename a save extension, move a folder into a different container type, or assume a console/mobile copy is equivalent unless a tested migration path specifically says so.
Recovery fallback
If a slot vanishes or fails to load, verify the exact SlotData index, Steam account, cloud-conflict choice, and whether broader GameData/SystemData came from the same backup set. If the restored copy fails, put the untouched original back first. Then compare location, account/profile, cloud state, and the full directory structure before trying a different backup. The objective is reversible recovery, not repeated destructive experiments on the only copy.
Verification context: Reviewed against current PCGamingWiki NieR: Automata save paths and slot-transfer notes plus current community descriptions of SlotData/GameData/SystemData.