Legendary Edition is a trilogy container, so the safest backup unit is the shared Save folder rather than one apparent slot. Keep the ME1/ME2/ME3 directory names intact because character-import workflows depend on the game-specific records remaining separated.
Where Mass Effect Legendary Edition stores PC saves
The researched save-location boundary is Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBioWareMass Effect Legendary EditionSave. The known file or folder pattern is ME1, ME2, and ME3 subfolders under the Legendary Edition Save directory. 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: EA app, Steam. The active EA app, Steam installation determines which local profile and cloud copy can overwrite the save. Identify the storefront and account before restoring files. 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
EA/Steam cloud synchronization may coexist with the Documents copy; wait for sync to settle before replacing local files. 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
The trilogy keeps each remastered game in its own subfolder beneath one Legendary Edition save root. Back up the whole Save directory when preserving a trilogy playthrough, especially before importing a character between games. The current filename/folder evidence is ME1, ME2, and ME3 subfolders under the Legendary Edition Save directory. 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 progress is missing after a restore, confirm the active Windows account, storefront/profile, cloud state, and exact directory first. Restore the untouched backup before experimenting with individual files or older autosaves. 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: Windows save location, file-boundary, launcher/cloud, and backup notes were reviewed against the linked game-specific references for Mass Effect Legendary Edition. This Game Hub is documentation only and does not claim a new game-specific Save Editor.
Recorded Phase 40 evidence boundary
This Phase 40 entry is grounded in the researched PC save boundary for Mass Effect Legendary Edition: Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsBioWareMass Effect Legendary EditionSave The recorded file or folder pattern is ME1, ME2, and ME3 subfolders under the Legendary Edition Save directory. These concrete identifiers are retained so backup, transfer, recovery, and editing preparation remain tied to the documented game/storefront context instead of a generic extension guess.