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Make two separate checkpoints before changing RimWorld’s version: an untouched copy of the save and a record of the exact mod setup that created it. Keep those copies outside folders Steam or RimWorld may update, switch versions through Steam’s current Properties and Betas controls, verify each important mod’s supported version, and test the copied save before touching the original. The process protects your colony, but it cannot make incompatible code compatible. Ludeon’s documented 1.6-to-1.7 transition is unusually reassuring—1.6 saves load on 1.7 and 1.7 saves work when returning to 1.6—but that statement is specific to those versions, not a guarantee for every future or older pair.
What exactly should you back up before changing RimWorld versions?
A save alone is not a complete recovery point. Preserve the colony file, the mod list and load order, the game-version pairing, and—when practical—the mod files or a way to obtain the same versions again. A save can depend on specific defs, patches, textures, and assemblies supplied by its mods; restoring only the save may leave you unable to recreate the environment in which it last worked.
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- The save copy: Make a separate copy of the latest stable save you care about. Leave the original untouched until the copied save opens and behaves correctly.
- The mod identity and order: Record every enabled mod and its load order. A RimWorld Mod Manager listing says it can show the mods associated with saves, which is useful when reconstructing a setup later (RimWorld Mod Manager on Nexus Mods).
- The version pairing: Write down the RimWorld branch you are leaving, the branch you intend to use, and the date of the checkpoint. Mod compatibility is version-specific.
- Access to the mod content: A list or configuration identifies what was enabled, but it may not contain the actual files. Workshop authors can publish version-specific files and compatibility tags, so confirm that the required files remain available before changing branches (Ludeon’s announcement on multi-version mods).
Do not assume that a cloud-synced save also gives you a restorable mod archive. The available evidence does not establish that Steam Cloud preserves mod order, exact mod revisions, or a complete local mod cache. Treat cloud synchronization as convenience, not as your only independent backup.
How do I create a safe checkpoint before switching branches?
Work from a stable in-game state, make a copy, and preserve the original until the new setup has been validated. The RimWorld Mod Manager listing describes backing up the latest save before launching a selected game version; the following workflow applies that principle without assuming an operating-system-specific path.
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- Finish or pause at a known-good moment. Save after the colony has completed any critical transition you want to preserve. If several saves exist, choose one that you have already opened successfully in the current setup.
- Close RimWorld completely. Exit to the desktop before copying files so the game is not still writing a save or configuration.
- Make a second copy of the save. Put the copy in a separately named folder or on storage that Steam and the game will not update. Include the colony name and the current game version in the filename or surrounding notes.
- Keep the original read-only in practice. Do not overwrite it when prompted to save after the version change. If the copied colony fails, the untouched original is your return point.
- Note the branch and date. Record the installed RimWorld version, the branch selected in Steam, and when the backup was made. Branch availability can change, and a future restore is easier when the target is unambiguous.
Exact save and configuration paths differ by operating system and are not established by the available sources, so do not rely on a generic path copied from an unrelated guide. Use the game’s own save-management interface, your operating system’s search, or a mod manager’s documented backup action to locate the file, then verify that the copied file has a different location and name from the working save.
How can I preserve the mod list and load order?
Use a tool that records which mods a save used, and keep a human-readable record as a second layer. The Nexus Mods listing for RimWorld Mod Manager describes save-associated mod information; that is more useful than trying to remember a long Workshop collection from memory.
- Open the save-management view in your chosen manager. Look for the function that displays the mods associated with a save, then export or otherwise record the list if the tool offers that option.
- Capture load order, not just names. Two colonies can have the same mod names but different ordering. Preserve the order shown by RimWorld or the manager, including framework and library mods.
- Record identifiers and version clues. Note Workshop links, package identifiers, or author-provided version labels where available. Names can change, while an identifier helps distinguish similarly named projects.
- Save the record outside the game’s changing folders. A plain text or spreadsheet copy on separate storage is useful if a branch switch removes, updates, or redownloads local mod files.
- Keep an image of the final list if necessary. A screenshot is not a substitute for an importable backup, but it gives you a visual reference when a manager cannot export its data.
An old Ludeon Forums thread for ModSwitch described loading a mod set from a save and importing a mod-list backup (the historical ModSwitch discussion). That is legacy documentation, not a recommendation that the old tool will work with current RimWorld releases. Use it only as evidence that preserving save-linked mod information is a sensible goal; follow current software documentation for any manager you install now.
How do I select another RimWorld version in Steam?
Check the game’s current Steam interface rather than relying on an old screenshot. Open RimWorld’s library entry, open Properties, and inspect the Betas section for the branch you need. The names and availability of older branches can change, so the article cannot promise that a particular version will always be listed.
- Make sure RimWorld is closed and your backup is complete.
- In Steam, open the game’s Properties and choose Betas.
- Select the desired branch only after confirming its version number or label. If no suitable branch appears, do not substitute a different one and assume the save is interchangeable.
- Let Steam finish the download, then confirm the version shown by the game’s title screen or update information before loading the copied save.
- Keep automatic updates and Workshop changes in mind. A mod may update independently of the game branch, so a later launch can differ from the state you backed up.
If you are changing between versions that are not covered by a specific Ludeon compatibility statement, treat the move as a migration with potential breakage. A branch selector can install a game version; it cannot roll every Workshop item back to the exact revision that was active when your colony was saved.
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How do I check whether my mods support the target version?
Inspect each important mod’s current Workshop description, supported-version tags, and author notes before opening the copied colony. Workshop mods can contain separate files for multiple RimWorld versions, but that only helps when the author has supplied the needed files and marked them appropriately.
- Start with frameworks and libraries. If a dependency is unavailable or built for another game API, many other mods can fail even when their own pages look current.
- Check the target version explicitly. Look for a supported-version tag or an author note naming the branch you selected. Do not infer compatibility solely from a recent update date.
- Look for required load-order notes. A mod may support the game version but still require a particular position relative to another mod.
- Distinguish a version warning from a failure. Ludeon says that, during the 1.6-to-1.7 transition, some mods could be marked “potentially unsupported” simply because the game version number changed, while the vast majority worked without author changes. A warning is a reason to verify, not proof that the colony is broken.
- Identify abandoned or removed dependencies. If a required item has disappeared or no longer offers the target version, preserve the old branch and backup rather than forcing the save to load with a replacement.
Use the author’s compatibility information as the authority for that mod. The general Workshop mechanism for version-specific files does not establish compatibility for every project.
What is the safest way to open the copied save after the version change?
Launch the target branch with the preserved mod setup, open the copied save first, and inspect the result before making any new progress. Never use the original as your first experiment.
- Synchronize the mod list. Enable the recorded mods and arrange them in the preserved order. If a manager can load a save-associated list, compare its result with your written record.
- Wait for downloads to finish. Do not open the colony while Workshop items are still updating or while Steam is switching branches.
- Load the copied save. If the game presents a compatibility warning, read which mods are named and decide whether the warning is informational or points to a missing dependency.
- Inspect the colony before saving over anything. Check pawns, buildings, inventories, bills, research, maps, and mod-added systems that matter to your playthrough. The goal is to discover a problem while the untouched checkpoint still exists.
- Make a new checkpoint only after validation. Save under a new name or create another dated copy. Keep the pre-change backup even after the first successful launch.
Do not remove a mod from the copied save merely to silence a warning unless you understand what that mod controls and have an earlier backup. Removing content can alter the colony’s data; a warning-free menu does not prove that the resulting world is equivalent to the original.
What should I do if the copied colony will not load?
Stop making changes to the backup and work backward from the recorded state. The fastest recovery is usually to restore the original game branch and mod pairing, then investigate from a duplicate rather than repeatedly modifying the only copy.
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- Quit without overwriting. If the game hangs, crashes, or opens a visibly damaged colony, close it and preserve the failed copy for reference.
- Return to the previous branch. Use Steam’s Betas control to select the version recorded in your notes, if that branch remains available.
- Recreate the old mod setup. Match the saved list and order as closely as possible. Check whether a Workshop item updated or disappeared since the checkpoint.
- Open the untouched original only after the environment is restored. If it loads there, make another copy before trying any experiment.
- Change one variable at a time. On a duplicate, test a suspected mod update, a missing dependency, or an order correction separately. This keeps the cause identifiable.
If the old branch or an essential mod file is no longer available, the backup may still preserve the save and its history without guaranteeing a playable restoration. In that situation, retain the files and notes; do not claim that a replacement mod or a newer branch is equivalent unless its author documents that compatibility.
Can I downgrade and then return to the newer version?
Sometimes, but only when the specific versions and mods support that round trip. For the announced 1.6-to-1.7 transition, Ludeon states that 1.6 savegames load on 1.7 and that 1.7 saves also work if a player returns to 1.6. The same announcement says, “You don’t need to do anything when switching to 1.7,” but that sentence applies to that transition and should not be generalized to every version pair (Ludeon’s RimWorld 1.7 announcement).
For any other downgrade, use a copy and verify both directions. A save that opens once may still contain features, defs, or map changes the older branch cannot interpret correctly. Keep separate checkpoints for the pre-change state and the first confirmed state on the new branch.
Which backup method is best for a RimWorld player?
No single method preserves everything. The strongest plan combines a separate save copy, a mod-associated list or export, and notes about the game branch; storing those materials outside folders that Steam may update adds another layer of protection.
| Method | What it preserves | What it does not guarantee | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual save copy | The selected colony file at a known point | Mod files, load order, or the original game branch | Every player; the minimum independent checkpoint |
| Mod manager save association | A record of mods linked to a save; some tools may support backup or import functions | That every listed mod remains downloadable or compatible | Reconstructing a large mod list |
| Written list or screenshot | Names, order, and notes you can read without the tool | Actual binaries and exact Workshop revisions | Fallback documentation and troubleshooting |
| Separate external storage | An independent copy of saves and records outside the changing game folders | Automatic version matching or mod availability | Protection against accidental overwrite or update |
| Steam Cloud alone | Potentially convenient synchronization for supported game data | Confirmed preservation of mod order, local mod files, or a complete rollback point | Convenience after an independent backup exists |
A USB flash drive or other storage you already own can hold the separate copy; no particular brand or capacity is required by this workflow. Keep at least one backup disconnected from the folders being changed, and label it clearly enough that you can identify the branch and date months later.
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What are the most common mistakes when changing versions?
- Overwriting the only save: Loading a new branch and saving immediately can destroy the last known-good state. Always open a duplicate first.
- Backing up only the save: Without the mod list and order, recovery becomes guesswork.
- Assuming a warning means failure: In the 1.6-to-1.7 announcement, Ludeon explains that a changed version number can trigger a “potentially unsupported” label even when a mod needs no author changes.
- Assuming a warning is harmless: The same label does not prove that every mod works. Check dependencies and inspect the colony before continuing.
- Trusting an old branch to remain available: Steam’s branch offerings can change. Verify access before you begin the migration.
- Ignoring Workshop updates: A mod can change after your backup. Record identifiers and author notes, and avoid updating the working setup until the checkpoint is safe.
- Removing mods to make the menu clean: That can alter saved data. Experiment only on a duplicate and retain the original setup.
- Calling a list a file archive: A configuration tells you what to seek; it does not necessarily contain the code, textures, or exact revision required by the save.
How should I maintain backups during a long colony?
Create a new dated checkpoint before every intentional version or major mod change, not just before a large RimWorld release. Keep the last known-good copy, the current working copy, and the mod record together so you can identify which combination produced each result.
When a colony is important, use a simple naming convention such as colony name, game branch, and date. Keep a short text note with the enabled mods, load order, and any compatibility warnings observed. Periodically open an older checkpoint in its recorded environment if you need confidence that the copy is readable; do this on a duplicate and never replace the archive with the test result.
Separate storage is useful because branch changes, Steam updates, Workshop downloads, and ordinary in-game saves all affect the working installation. The backup’s value comes from being both recoverable and independent of those changes.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHow did Ludeon describe the 1.6-to-1.7 transition?
Ludeon’s 1.7 announcement is the clearest compatibility evidence cited here. It says 1.6 saves load on 1.7, 1.7 saves work when returning to 1.6, and most mods work on 1.7 without author changes. It also cautions that some mods may be marked potentially unsupported because the game’s version number changed.
Use that announcement as a narrowly scoped reassurance, not as a universal rule. For a different pair—such as a much older branch and a current branch—follow the same backup workflow but expect to verify the save and every dependency yourself. Compatibility tags and version-specific Workshop files help only when mod authors provide them for the branch you selected.
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How we chose this backup workflow
The workflow prioritizes four recovery requirements supported by the available evidence: a separate copy of the save, preservation of the save’s associated mod setup, the ability to recreate the same game-version and mod-version pairing, and storage outside folders that Steam or RimWorld may update. It distinguishes current compatibility information from historical ModSwitch documentation and limits Ludeon’s broad reassurance to the documented 1.6-to-1.7 transition.
Bottom line: what should I do before clicking Update?
Close the game, copy the save to independent storage, export or record the mod list and load order, note the current branch, and check the target branch and mod compatibility before launching anything. Test only the copied save, keep the original untouched, and retain the checkpoint until you have confirmed that the colony and its critical mods work together. That discipline cannot prevent every incompatibility, but it turns a risky version change into a reversible one.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Steam Cloud save my RimWorld mod order automatically?
The available evidence does not confirm that Steam Cloud preserves mod order, exact Workshop revisions, or a complete local mod archive. Keep an independent save copy and a mod-list record instead of treating cloud synchronization as your only rollback plan.
Where are RimWorld saves stored on Windows, macOS, and Linux?
The available sources do not establish verified, current paths for all three operating systems. Use RimWorld’s save interface or your operating system’s search, then confirm that the copy is outside the folders being updated before switching versions.
Can I keep playing while Steam is downloading a different branch?
Do not open the colony until Steam has finished changing the game branch and Workshop downloads have settled. Opening during an update can leave you uncertain about which executable or mod files created the next save.
What if a mod page has no supported-version tag?
Treat compatibility as unconfirmed and look for an author note or release information before loading an important colony. Preserve the old branch and backup so you can return if the mod is unavailable for the target version.
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No. Keep at least the pre-change checkpoint until you have played far enough to verify the systems that matter to your colony. A single successful load does not prove that every mod interaction or later save operation will remain compatible.
