Where Are Skyrim Special Edition Saves Located?
Skyrim Special Edition save folder on Windows, and how it differs from original Skyrim and the GOG version.
Last updated
Special Edition saves sit under Documents, in My Games, then Skyrim Special Edition, then Saves. They stay there even if you move the Steam library, since Bethesda keeps saves in Documents.
Original Skyrim uses a sibling folder named Skyrim instead. Saves copy across between the two in principle, but modded saves often break when moved.
Where Skyrim Special Edition stores this, by platform
%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Skyrim Special Edition\Saves
Paste into a File Explorer address bar. GOG copies use Skyrim Special Edition GOG instead. Skyrim.ini lives one level up, next to Saves.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move original Skyrim saves into Special Edition?
Usually yes for unmodded saves: copy the .ess and .skse files into the Special Edition Saves folder. Modded saves depend on the same mods being installed.
Why is there no Saves folder at all?
The game creates it on first save. Start a new game, save once, then look again. Shared Windows logins each get their own Documents, so check you are in the right user.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.