NieR: Automata is a case where backing up only “the save slot” can miss important surrounding state. Steam exposes three SlotData files but also stores GameData and SystemData in the same Documents directory. Ending and presentation state can therefore outlive a single slot replacement. SaveEditor recommends treating the folder as one backup set, then making any slot-level experiment only on a copy. Microsoft Store is additionally separated by its WGS container, so its files should not be treated as Steam .dat files solely because the gameplay is the same.
Prepare the source PC
On the source system, identify the actual NieR: Automata save root: Windows: Steam: %USERPROFILE%DocumentsMy GamesNieR_Automata ; Microsoft Store: %LOCALAPPDATA%Packages39EA002F.NieRAutomataPC_n746a19ndrrjgSystemAppDatawgs. The expected file/folder pattern is Steam: SlotData_0.dat, SlotData_1.dat, SlotData_2.dat plus GameData.dat and SystemData.dat.. Close the game, let the active launcher finish writing and synchronizing, then make a complete offline copy rather than transferring a file that may still be open.
Preserve storefront and profile identity
Documented storefronts: Steam, Microsoft Store. Steam and Microsoft Store use different containers; cross-store transfers may require renaming and account/ID-aware handling rather than a raw overwrite. A transfer between two PCs is simplest when both systems use the same storefront/account/profile context. If the destination uses a different store or container, treat that as a migration problem rather than an ordinary restore.
Move the complete save boundary
Back up the complete NieR_Automata folder on Steam, including SlotData, GameData, and SystemData, before replacing one slot. Preserve the full WGS tree on Microsoft Store. Put the copied data on the destination only after confirming the destination save path. If the game creates a new empty save first, keep that new folder as another backup so you can compare structures and revert.
Handle cloud sync deliberately
Steam Cloud and Xbox Cloud can restore saves for their storefronts. Decide whether the local transferred copy or cloud copy should be authoritative before launching the game. If possible, preserve both. After the transferred save loads correctly, make a fresh in-game save and let the launcher synchronize normally.
Check compatibility before blaming the transfer
Steam stores three slot files alongside broader game/system data. Microsoft Store wraps saves in WGS containers. A slot file alone does not necessarily represent every piece of progression or presentation state. Compatibility note: Ending-related and global progression can involve GameData in addition to SlotData. Do not assume one slot file is the only state worth preserving. If the destination does not see the transferred progress, If a slot vanishes or fails to load, verify the exact SlotData index, Steam account, cloud-conflict choice, and whether broader GameData/SystemData came from the same backup set. Verify game edition/version, store, profile IDs, redirected folders, and mod/DLC dependencies before editing the save itself.
Verification context: Reviewed against current PCGamingWiki NieR: Automata save paths and slot-transfer notes plus current community descriptions of SlotData/GameData/SystemData.