Final Fantasy IX needs a particularly cautious backup workflow because the Steam save directory is named EncryptedSavedData and modern mod setups may write additional derived files into the same area. The safest baseline is an untouched copy of the whole directory before any editor or Memoria operation. That gives you a known-good source even if a mod creates exported slot files or changes which file is loaded. The Microsoft Store release uses WGS instead, so SaveEditor does not present a simple rename-and-copy operation as universal compatibility.
Start with the least destructive explanation
When Final Fantasy IX progress appears missing, first verify the active PC location: Windows: Steam: %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowSquareEnixFINAL FANTASY IXSteamEncryptedSavedData ; Microsoft Store: %LOCALAPPDATA%Packages39EA002F.FINALFANTASYIX_n746a19ndrrjgSystemAppDatawgs. Expected files/folders: Steam master save commonly includes SavedData_ww.dat; Memoria/modded setups may create additional derived files.. Many apparent save failures are actually profile, storefront, path-redirection, or cloud-selection problems rather than damaged game data.
Preserve every surviving copy
Back up the entire EncryptedSavedData folder on Steam before installing a save editor or mod framework. On Microsoft Store, back up the WGS container rather than renaming arbitrary files into the Steam directory. Before renaming, moving, replacing, or opening candidate backups, copy them outside the live directory. Do not use the only surviving file as the test specimen for repair or editing.
Check launcher and cloud state
Storefront context: Steam, Microsoft Store. Steam and Microsoft Store paths are different. Memoria or other mods can add extra files beside the original save and should not be confused with the untouched source data. Cloud notes: Steam Cloud and Xbox Cloud are documented for their corresponding editions. A sync client can reintroduce an older or newer version after a manual restore, so recovery work should keep local and cloud copies conceptually separate until the wanted progress is confirmed.
Use format and compatibility clues
The Steam release stores an encrypted save-data set under LocalLow. Microsoft Store uses WGS. Mod frameworks can add their own companion or exported files, so a clean backup should preserve the original game-owned data before modded copies. A Steam master save and Microsoft WGS container are not interchangeable by filename alone. Mod-created Memoria files may depend on the mod version and should be kept separate from the original backup. If the file exists but is ignored, compare the complete directory structure, slot/profile naming, game edition, mods/DLC, and any companion metadata. Do not assume an extension change or generic checksum tool can repair a game-specific container.
Game-specific troubleshooting
If an edit or restore seems ignored, disable competing cloud restoration temporarily, verify whether the game is loading the original or a Memoria-derived file, and use Load rather than assuming Continue points to the intended slot. If a known-good backup works, preserve it and create a fresh in-game save before further experiments. If no copy works, prefer read-only inspection and source-backed game-specific tooling over repeated writes.
Verification context: Reviewed against current PCGamingWiki Final Fantasy IX save path and current community notes describing SavedData_ww and Memoria-derived files.