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.
Identify the exact save you intend to edit
The researched Final Fantasy IX PC save location is Windows: Steam: %USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLowSquareEnixFINAL FANTASY IXSteamEncryptedSavedData ; Microsoft Store: %LOCALAPPDATA%Packages39EA002F.FINALFANTASYIX_n746a19ndrrjgSystemAppDatawgs. Known file/folder pattern: Steam master save commonly includes SavedData_ww.dat; Memoria/modded setups may create additional derived files.. 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. Do not edit a similarly named file from a different profile, edition, or cloud cache.
Make an untouched backup first
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. Keep that copy outside the live save directory and do not overwrite it with later experiments. Cloud context: Steam Cloud and Xbox Cloud are documented for their corresponding editions. If a launcher can synchronize the save, prevent it from silently replacing either the original or edited copy while testing.
Understand the format boundary
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. File-extension context: .dat Compatibility note: 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. These facts help identify the save but do not automatically reveal every field, checksum, encryption rule, or version-specific structure inside it.
Use only a Tool whose claim matches the file
Generic viewers and diff tools can inspect bytes without claiming game-specific semantics. A game-specific editor should be used only when its Tool page explicitly lists Final Fantasy IX, a matching supported version/container, and a Verified operational runtime. A planned URL or Game Hub is not evidence that an editor exists.
Test the edited copy safely
Write to a new output file when the Tool supports it, keep the original backup, restore the edited copy into the correct profile/storefront location, and launch the game only after the file operation finishes. If the game rejects it, 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. Return to the untouched backup before trying another change.
Verification context: Reviewed against current PCGamingWiki Final Fantasy IX save path and current community notes describing SavedData_ww and Memoria-derived files.