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Back Up Emulator Saves Before Updating Your Gaming Setup

Protect emulator progress before changing drivers, Windows settings, or emulator builds by locating saves and creating a verified backup.

by@guidox updated:10/29/26 time:15 min level:Beginner works on:Windows 11 25H2, build 26200, RetroArch and Dolphin; save locations depend on the installe
⚠ Safety notice

Overwriting saves or restoring incompatible save states can destroy progress. Preserve the current files before restoring a backup.

TL;DR

Back up save files, save states, and emulator configurations before changing your gaming setup. This guide targets Windows 11 25H2 PCs and uses a separate backup location so a failed update does not destroy your only copy.

Before you start

Requirements

  • Windows 11 25H2, build 26200.
  • The emulator you use, such as RetroArch from https://www.retroarch.com/ or Dolphin from https://dolphin-emu.org/.
  • A separate backup destination such as an external drive or a trusted backup location.
  • Enough free space to store the emulator data you intend to protect.
Step by step

Instructions

01

Close the emulator cleanly

Save your game normally and exit the emulator. Check Task Manager to ensure the emulator has closed before copying files.

⚠ warningCopying files while an emulator is actively writing them can produce an incomplete or inconsistent backup.
02

Locate save files and configuration

Open the emulator's settings and check its configured save, save-state, system, and configuration directories. For RetroArch, inspect its directory settings; for Dolphin, open its user-folder location from the application where available.

tipPaths can differ between portable and installed builds. Back up the actual configured directories rather than assuming one universal path.
03

Create a dated backup folder

Connect a separate backup drive or create a dedicated folder on another physical disk. Use a descriptive name so you can identify which emulator and setup the backup belongs to.

EmulatorBackups/Before-Update/
tipA second folder on the same failing drive is not a reliable independent backup.
04

Copy saves and supporting data

Copy in-game saves, save states, memory cards, controller mappings, and configuration files that matter to your setup. Preserve the original folder structure and avoid moving the originals.

⚠ warningSave states can depend on the emulator version, core version, or game state. Treat normal in-game saves as the priority.
05

Verify the backup

Compare file counts and sizes, then open the backup folder and confirm that important saves exist. If possible, test a copy using a separate emulator configuration without overwriting the originals.

tipDo not test recovery by overwriting your only working save.
06

Update only after verification

Proceed with your planned emulator or driver update once the backup is confirmed. Launch a representative game afterward and check that progress, memory cards, and configuration remain available.

Troubleshooting

Common issues

I cannot find my emulator saves.

Open the emulator's directory settings and check its actual save path. Also check portable folders and per-game configuration overrides.

The backup folder is empty.

Confirm that the emulator was closed, that you copied the correct source directory, and that the destination drive is writable.

A save state fails after an update.

Restore the matching emulator or core version if needed, then load a compatible save state. Prefer a normal in-game save for long-term migration.

Windows blocks copying a file.

Check whether another process still has the file open, verify the source and destination permissions, and retry after closing the emulator.

FAQ

Frequently asked

Are save states enough?

No. Also back up normal in-game saves and emulator-specific data such as memory cards.

Can I back up to the same drive?

You can create a temporary copy, but a separate physical drive or trusted independent backup location provides better protection.

Should I back up BIOS files?

If your emulator uses legally dumped BIOS files, preserve them securely with the rest of your configuration. Do not download BIOS files from unauthorized sources.

How to undo this

No system changes are required to revert this procedure. Keep the backup until you have verified the updated setup. If recovery is necessary, close the emulator and restore the backed-up files to the configured directories after preserving a copy of any newer saves.

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