How to backup GTA 4 save files

Q: Where are GTA 4 saves stored?

GTA 4 Game Save Location Paste %LocalAppData%Rockstar GamesGTA IVsavegames into the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window and hit ENTER. And thats you inside your GTA 4 game saves folder!

Bumping a very old topic because I just ran into this issue and the solution FAILED.

Table of Contents Show

Backup savegames
Method 1: XLive Wrapper
Method 2: XLiveLess
Where are GTA 4 saves stored?
Does GTA 4 have cloud saves?
Where is the config file of GTA 4?
How do I open GTA 4 files?

I have the original IV and the DLC for TLAD and BOGT. I had to recover Windows and IV was lost. Upon reinstalling it, of course Liberty City Stories was gone.

No matter what I did with the Xlive and R* folders, the game insisted that the addons were not present and kept fussing about Windows Marketplace login. Much deleting and copying, one variation of the issue I had was it kept saying the activation key was unavailable and to try again in 30 seconds.

After finally deleting and copying back a few token files, the game is at a point where it is downloading the addons yet again. They're being downloaded to the same folder so why it thinks they're not there is beyond me.

I could be said and done with it by simply installing the Steam version I have acquired from a $4 bundle, but Steam already has a rep of removing content once R* tells them to. At least with the Steam version you can move the content back and forth relatively easy (at least right now awyways)

Hi all ^^ I will start with my problem description and how I was able to finally solve it after I browsed the internet and some GTA 4 forums. Let's cut straight to the case !

Problem: I was playing GTA 4 PC on my Windows XP system and completed the game with 78% or so, after that I havent played it in a long time and recently I decided to upgrade my OS to Windows Vista, so I made a copy of the savefile located in C:Documents and SettingXXXXApplication DataLocalRockstar GamesGTA IVsavegamesuser_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx but unfortunately I forgot to make a copy of my freakin "xlive" folder which was a mistake I noticed after I upgraded to Vista. I was shocked :| the game didn't recognize my old save game and said "couldnt load. please check hard disk". It seems this game coordinates with Games For Windows Live and encrypts the save files user based -_- I thought I was lost and I have to start all over again till...

Solution: There is a way to load your old save files or even export them without having your crappy xlive folder saved. Its really easy to do and also works with the latest patch 1.0.4.0 Here is what you have to do exactly.

1. Backup your old files, copy the files, SGTA4xx, from the folder "C:UsersXXXXXAppDataLocalRockstar GamesGTA IVsavegamesuser_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx\" (for vista) or "C:Documents and SettingXXXXApplication DataLocalRockstar GamesGTA IVsavegamesuser_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (XP) from your old installation to a safe place like your Desktop for example or a memory stick, second partition etc. if you want to format your C drive like I did.

*NOTE, make sure u have 'show hidden files and folders' checked in Tools>Folder options>View

2. Make a clean installation of GTA 4 on your new destination of choice (in my example newly installed Win Vista) and apply the current patch 1.0.4.0 get it here:

http://grandtheftauto.filefront.com/file/GTA_IV_1040_Patch_14;102441

3. Download XLiveLess 0.95 from here:

http://public.sannybuilder.com/GTA4/xliveless-0.95.rar

Extract both files "xlive.dll" and "xlive_d.dll" into your GTAIV root directory where your GTAIV.exe is, this will wrap the xlive crap and you wont get the "couldnt load. please check hard disk" error anymore :D

4. Copy your old save game files and put them under the new installation "C:UsersXXXXXAppDataLocalRockstar GamesGTA IVsavegamesuser_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx\" folder. Take care to rename your old "user_xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" folder exactly the same as the one that will be newly created in "C:UsersXXXXXAppDataLocalRockstar GamesGTA IVsavegames\" and overwrite it.

5. Start the game and it should load your old files without fuzz.

I confirm that this is working 100% because I was so happy to get back to my old save game and therefor I decided to write this article to help everyone out having a hard time with GTA 4 PC. This method should help you out to restore your old save files and even export them to another PC, laptop etc. If you still have problems getting it done I recommend you read the following threads.

http://www.overclock.net/pc-games/441024-gta-iv-saved-game-transfer.html

http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=380326

Enjoy the game people and good luck ^^

In this page, you will find a tutorial about backup and insert savegames for GTA IV, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, PC versions.

Backup savegames

To backup all your savegames, you must backup these folders:

Windows XP:
"C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\XLive"
"C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Rockstar Games"

Windows Vista and Windows 7:
"C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Xlive"
"C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\Rockstar Games"

VERY IMPORTANT

If you use Wrapper or Xliveless, you could not play in official multiplayer.
You must use an offline Games for Windows Live account to play downloaded savegames.
Use our tutorial at your own risk, we are not responsible for any problem.

Method 1: XLive Wrapper

Download xLive Wrapper and put xlive.dll into GTA IV main folder.

Download a savegame from our download area.
In this tutorial, we'll use 100% savegame.

Put savegame file into:

GTA IV, TLAD and TBOGT:
Windows XP:
C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR NAME\Local Settings\Application Data\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames

Windows Vista or Windows 7:
C:\Users\YOUR NAME\AppData\Local\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames

In case of crash problems, try to copy CopyXLiveResources.exe in GTA IV main folder. Launch it, replace files if asked and try to launch the game.

If you have problems, ask in our forum or at this topic on GTAForums.

Method 2: XLiveLess

Download xLiveLess.
If you have already an Asi Loader (i.e. this) remove it. Xliveless is an asi loader too.
Insert xlive.dll in GTA IV main folder.

Download a savegame from our download area.
In this tutorial, we'll use 100% savegame.

VERY IMPORTANT: savegames are now located in these folders, so copy save files into them:

GTA IV:
Windows XP:
YOUR NAME\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames\

Windows Vista or Windows 7:
YOUR NAME\My Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames\

The Lost and Damned:
Windows XP:
YOUR NAME\Documents\Rockstar Games\TLAD\savegames\

Windows Vista or Windows 7:
YOUR NAME\My Documents\Rockstar Games\Rockstar Games\TLAD\savegames

The Ballad of Gay Tony:
Windows XP:
YOUR NAME\Documents\Rockstar Games\TBoGT\savegames\

Windows Vista or Windows 7:
YOUR NAME\My Documents\Rockstar Games\Rockstar Games\TBoGT\savegames

Launch game as administrator from LaunchGTAIV.exe.
To debug, copy xlive_d.dll file in GTA IV main folder and rename it into xlive.dll.

To uninstall, simply remove xlive.dll, and restore your original savegames in original documents folder.

If you have problems, ask in our forum or at this topic on GTAForums.

Where are GTA 4 saves stored?

GTA 4 Game Save Location Paste %LocalAppData%\Rockstar Games\GTA IV\savegames into the address bar at the top of the File Explorer window and hit ENTER. And that's you inside your GTA 4 game saves folder!

Does GTA 4 have cloud saves?

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition Are GTA save files kept on Steam Cloud? Not on the Steam cloud but unless you disable it the saves are uploaded to the Rockstar cloud (like GTA5).