How to Back Up a Game Before Translating

Taking a backup before touching any game files means you can restore the game in minutes if something goes wrong. This guide shows how to make a safe backup before translating.

1. Copy the whole game folder

1. On Steam, right-click the game: Manage → Browse local files.
2. Go up one folder and copy the entire game folder.
3. Paste it somewhere else (e.g. Documents\Game Backups) and add the date to its name: GameName_backup_2026-10-06.

Low on disk space? At least back up the folders that hold the text: GameName_Data (Unity), game (Ren’Py), data or www\data (RPG Maker MV/MZ), Content\Paks (Unreal).

2. Don’t forget your saves

Save files usually live outside the game folder, in your Windows user folders. Common locations:

• Unity: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Company\Game
• Ren’Py: %APPDATA%\RenPy\GameName and game\saves in the game folder
• RPG Maker MV/MZ: usually the save folder inside the game folder

Paste these paths into File Explorer’s address bar and press Enter to open them.

3. If something breaks: repair with Steam

Even without a backup, Steam can repair the game: right-click → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files. Steam replaces modified files with the originals — this also removes the translation.

4. Two important notes

• Game updates can remove the translation. Updates overwrite changed files; you may need to apply the translation again.
• Leave online and anti-cheat games alone. Modifying files of multiplayer or anti-cheat protected games can lead to account restrictions. Only translate single-player games.

Summary

1. Back up the game folder as a dated copy.
2. Back up your save files separately.
3. If anything goes wrong, copy the backup back or use Steam’s “Verify integrity”.