Horizon Zero Dawn keeps the working save set in Documents. Before New Game+ preparation, modding, or migration, preserve the entire Saved Game directory rather than only the most recent checkpoint.
Start with the least destructive explanation
When Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition progress appears missing, first verify the active PC location: Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsHorizon Zero DawnSaved Game. Expected files/folders: manual/autosave checkpoint folders and profile records. Many apparent save failures are actually profile, storefront, path-redirection, or cloud-selection problems rather than damaged game data.
Preserve every surviving copy
Close Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition, let the launcher finish any synchronization, then copy the complete documented save directory to a dated folder outside the live path. Preserve companion files rather than selecting only the newest-looking record. 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, Epic Games Store, GOG. The active Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG installation determines which local profile and cloud copy can overwrite the save. Identify the storefront and account before restoring files. Cloud notes: Cloud support is storefront-specific; manual backups should be taken after synchronization completes. 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
Horizon Zero Dawn groups checkpoints in a Saved Game directory. Preserve the full directory so slot/checkpoint metadata remains aligned. Treat saves as version-, storefront-, account-, and mod-sensitive unless the game or a separately verified migration workflow proves otherwise. A similar filename or extension is not evidence that two releases are interchangeable. 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 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. 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: Windows save location, file-boundary, launcher/cloud, and backup notes were reviewed against the linked game-specific references for Horizon Zero Dawn Complete 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 Horizon Zero Dawn Complete Edition: Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsHorizon Zero DawnSaved Game The recorded file or folder pattern is manual/autosave checkpoint folders and profile records. 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.