Death Stranding uses a Local AppData root rather than Documents. Back up the complete DeathStranding directory with its user-specific contents and do not assume Director's Cut files are interchangeable without a documented migration path.
For this PC reference, the documented storage is Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%KojimaProductionsDeathStranding. The known file or folder pattern is user-specific save data beneath the KojimaProductions DeathStranding directory. Death Stranding stores PC save data in Local AppData. User/account state can be encoded in the save set, so copy the full game directory before attempting migration.
Backup guidance: Close Death Stranding, 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. Storefront cloud can mirror the local KojimaProductions data; 505 Games documents the Local AppData location. Launcher and cloud context matters because The active Steam, Epic Games Store installation determines which local profile and cloud copy can overwrite the save. Identify the storefront and account before restoring files.
Compatibility and recovery should stay conservative. 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 expected progress is not visible, 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. 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.