Treat a 7 Days to Die campaign as a world directory, not one player file. Back up the full game-save folder and retain the matching generated world/mod context before upgrades.
For this PC reference, the documented storage is Windows: %APPDATA%7DaysToDieSaves. The known file or folder pattern is generated-world/game folders with player .ttp data and world-state files. 7 Days to Die saves are multi-file world directories. Generated world data and the save instance are related but distinct, and mods/game version can affect compatibility.
Backup guidance: Close 7 Days to Die, 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. Cloud behavior is storefront-dependent; manual world/save backups are recommended before major version changes. Launcher and cloud context matters because The active Steam, Microsoft 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.