A Sons of the Forest save is a folder of coordinated state files. Copy the whole slot directory and identify whether it is SinglePlayer or Multiplayer before any manual restore.
For this PC reference, the documented storage is Windows: %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowEndnightSonsOfTheForestSaves<account-id>. The known file or folder pattern is SinglePlayer/Multiplayer slot directories containing JSON/binary state records. Sons of the Forest uses account-scoped LocalLow save directories with separate single-player and multiplayer branches. Preserve a complete slot folder so linked state records stay consistent.
Backup guidance: Close Sons of the Forest, 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. Steam Cloud can synchronize local saves; co-op host data is the authoritative persistent world copy. Launcher and cloud context matters because The active Steam 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.