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Game Hub / Save Reference

Dark Souls III Save Files & Tools

Dark Souls III PC save location, backup, file-format, launcher, cloud-sync, and compatibility reference. This Game Hub documents save-file facts without implying that a game-specific Save Editor is available.

PC

01 / Overview

Save reference at a glance.

Game Hubs separate documented save-file facts from actual Tool support. A Game Hub can be useful even when no custom editor exists.

Developer
FromSoftware
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platforms
PC
Save extensions
.sl2

Dark Souls III is a profile-container game: DS30000.sl2 can hold multiple characters, so copying it is not the same as exporting one slot. Manual backups remain especially important because players should not treat launcher sync as a guaranteed recovery system. Archive the full account-ID directory at important milestones. If you later experiment with a character manager or editor, keep the untouched original separate from every generated copy.

For this PC reference, the documented storage is Windows: %APPDATA%DarkSoulsIII<user-id> | Linux / Steam Play: Steam Play: <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/374320/pfx/. The known file or folder pattern is DS30000.sl2. The standard PC profile uses one DS30000.sl2 container under the account-ID folder. Multiple characters are stored inside that container rather than as separate files.

Backup guidance: Copy DS30000.sl2, preferably by archiving the full account-ID folder, before major progression, mods, or migration. Do not rely on Steam Cloud as the only backup for Dark Souls III; current community reports continue to emphasize local manual backups. Launcher and cloud context matters because The account-ID directory is part of the profile. The save location is separate from the game installation directory.

Compatibility and recovery should stay conservative. Replacing DS30000.sl2 replaces the profile container containing multiple character slots. Character-level import/export is a separate game-specific operation. If the expected progress is not visible, If a migrated file is ignored, restore the original and confirm the account folder and game version before attempting identity edits or third-party conversions. SaveEditor.com only labels a game-specific editor as available when a separate linked Tool has a verified operational runtime; this reference page by itself is not an editor claim.

Compatibility note

Replacing DS30000.sl2 replaces the profile container containing multiple character slots. Character-level import/export is a separate game-specific operation.

02 / Save locations

Where the save files are stored.

Paths are displayed only when they have been explicitly documented for this Game Hub. Environment variables and launcher-specific differences should remain visible instead of being silently normalized.

Windows
%APPDATA%DarkSoulsIII<user-id>
Linux
Steam Play: <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/374320/pfx/

Launcher / edition differences

The account-ID directory is part of the profile. The save location is separate from the game installation directory.

03 / File format

Files, extensions, and format notes.

This section documents only known file names and structures. Format notes can later connect directly to SaveEditor.com parsers, checksum engines, and converters.

Extensions

.sl2

File names / patterns

  • DS30000.sl2

Format notes

The standard PC profile uses one DS30000.sl2 container under the account-ID folder. Multiple characters are stored inside that container rather than as separate files.

Launchers / stores

Steam

Cloud save notes

Do not rely on Steam Cloud as the only backup for Dark Souls III; current community reports continue to emphasize local manual backups.

04 / Tools

Actual linked Tool support.

A published Save Editor linked to this game is marked as verified working. Check the tool page for exact platform and version compatibility before editing.

Verified

Save Editors

Dark Souls III Souls Editor

Raise the two documented name-relative soul fields for the lowest-numbered occupied character slot in a verified Dark Souls III PC SL2 save.

Platform
PC
Processing
Local browser processing
Verified
2026-08-09
Updated August 11, 2026 Open tool
Game-specific Tool compatibility summary
Tool State Platform Processing Supported versions Last verified
Dark Souls III Checksum Fixer Verified PC Browser local Dark Souls III PC DS30000.sl2 12-entry encrypted BND4 family.
Dark Souls III Container Verification Receipt Verified PC Browser local Exactly the same save family already accepted by dark-souls-3-pc-sl2-checksum-v1.
Dark Souls III PC Container Integrity Inspector Verified PC Browser local Only the exact PC save family already accepted by the existing verified source parser: dark-souls-3-pc-sl2-checksum-v1.
Dark Souls III PC First Slot Summary Verified PC Browser local Only the exact PC save family already accepted by the existing verified source parser: dark-souls-3-pc-sl2-souls-v1.
Dark Souls III Slot Verification Receipt Verified PC Browser local Exactly the same save family already accepted by dark-souls-3-pc-sl2-souls-v1.
Dark Souls III Souls Editor Verified PC Browser local Dark Souls III PC BND4/AES-128-CBC/MD5 family, restricted to the first occupied slot and unique ASCII-name subset.
Dark Souls III Souls Floor Focused Editor Verified PC Browser local Exactly the same save family already accepted by dark-souls-3-pc-sl2-souls-v1.

Browse all tools

05 / Backup

Protect the original before editing.

Save editing should be reversible. Keep an untouched copy outside the active save directory before replacing, converting, repairing, or modifying a save.

  1. 01
    Close the game.

    Avoid modifying a save while the game or launcher may still be writing to it.

  2. 02
    Copy the entire relevant save set.

    Some games use multiple files, profile folders, metadata, or companion files rather than one isolated save.

  3. 03
    Store the backup elsewhere.

    Use a separate folder or archive so cloud sync or the game cannot overwrite the untouched backup.

  4. 04
    Edit a copy, then validate.

    Follow the exact compatibility and processing notes on the Tool page before replacing the active save.

Game-specific backup note

Copy DS30000.sl2, preferably by archiving the full account-ID folder, before major progression, mods, or migration.

06 / Troubleshooting

When a save is missing or rejected.

Start with reversible checks. Do not delete or overwrite the only copy while diagnosing a path, cloud-sync, version, or format problem.

Game-specific notes

If a migrated file is ignored, restore the original and confirm the account folder and game version before attempting identity edits or third-party conversions.

A

Confirm the correct profile.

Games, launchers, and operating systems may keep separate save folders for different users, editions, or profiles.

B

Check cloud synchronization.

A cloud service can restore an older file or overwrite a local change. Preserve both copies before resolving a conflict.

C

Check Tool compatibility.

A matching filename does not prove a matching format. Verify platform, game version, extension, and Tool support state.

D

Restore the untouched backup.

If the game rejects a modified save, return to the original backup before attempting another change.

07 / FAQ

Dark Souls III save-file questions.

Answers are generated only from visible Game Hub metadata and actual linked Tool states, plus universal backup guidance.

Where are Dark Souls III save files stored?

The currently documented save locations are listed in the Save locations section above. Use the location that matches your platform or environment.

What save-file extension does Dark Souls III use?

The extensions currently documented on this page are: .sl2.

Does SaveEditor.com have a verified Dark Souls III Save Editor?

A published Save Editor linked to this game is marked as verified working. Check the tool page for exact platform and version compatibility before editing.

Should I back up the save before using a Tool?

Yes. Keep an untouched copy outside the active save directory before modifying or converting the file. Some games use multiple companion files, so back up the relevant save folder when in doubt.

Are there cloud-save considerations for Dark Souls III?

Do not rely on Steam Cloud as the only backup for Dark Souls III; current community reports continue to emphasize local manual backups.

Editorial review

Game-specific metadata on this hub was last reviewed on 2026-08-08. Individual Tool pages maintain their own verification dates and compatibility notes.

Verification notes

The AppData account-folder location was reviewed against current PCGamingWiki coverage. DS30000.sl2 naming and the practical lack of dependable Steam Cloud backup are corroborated by long-running PC community documentation.

Reference sources
  1. Reference 1 - www.pcgamingwiki.com
  2. Reference 2 - www.reddit.com

Related guides

Continue with reviewed save-file guidance.

Only reviewed, index-ready Guides explicitly related to this Game Hub are surfaced here.