For DST, first identify whether you are preserving local client state or a hosted Cluster_* world. Copy the complete cluster, including all shards, rather than one session file.
Start with the least destructive explanation
When Don't Starve Together progress appears missing, first verify the active PC location: Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsKleiDoNotStarveTogether. Expected files/folders: client profile data and Cluster_* world/server directories. Many apparent save failures are actually profile, storefront, path-redirection, or cloud-selection problems rather than damaged game data.
Preserve every surviving copy
Close Don't Starve Together, 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. The active Steam installation determines which local profile and cloud copy can overwrite the save. Identify the storefront and account before restoring files. Cloud notes: Steam Cloud can synchronize client data; dedicated/server-hosted clusters must be backed up at the host. 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
Together separates client data from cluster/server world directories. A hosted world backup should preserve the entire Cluster_* directory, including Master/Caves shards when present. 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 Don't Starve Together. 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 Don't Starve Together: Windows: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsKleiDoNotStarveTogether The recorded file or folder pattern is client profile data and Cluster_* world/server directories. 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.