Back up the complete versioned private-game folder before updates or server migration. Preserve multiple recent autosave snapshots so recovery does not depend on one possibly corrupted generation.
For this PC reference, the documented storage is Windows: %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowStunlock StudiosVRisingSaves. The known file or folder pattern is versioned save folders containing autosave snapshots and server/game-state records. V Rising local/private-game saves live beneath a versioned Saves tree. Version folders matter; do not merge snapshots across schema generations merely because directory names are similar.
Backup guidance: Close V Rising, 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 private-game data depending on current settings; dedicated servers use a different operational context. 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.