Use row 1 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Avoid: Do not assume slot 1 backup works like another game's category.Hollow Knight · Utility
Hollow Knight Save Location: back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup
Use this page when you need back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup instead of another generic Hollow Knight article.
Primary sections
Start with your problem
Players lose time in Hollow Knight when save location advice is not tied to unlocks, route state, patch state and source evidence.
Save Location now has a source-backed checklist, entity table and decision flow focused on back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup.
Use row 2 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Avoid: Do not assume Steel Soul backup note works like another game's category.Use row 3 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Avoid: Do not assume Steam Cloud copy works like another game's category.Use row 4 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Avoid: Do not assume Windows save path works like another game's category.Problem solver
Save Location quick diagnosis
Pick the current player state, then use the table and sources before making route changes.
slot 1 backup is unclear
slot 1 backup needs a source-backed route check.
Use row 1 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Do not: Do not assume slot 1 backup works like another game's category. Then compare with Steel Soul backup note.Steel Soul backup note is unclear
Steel Soul backup note needs a source-backed route check.
Use row 2 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Do not: Do not assume Steel Soul backup note works like another game's category. Then compare with Steam Cloud copy.Steam Cloud copy is unclear
Steam Cloud copy needs a source-backed route check.
Use row 3 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Do not: Do not assume Steam Cloud copy works like another game's category. Then compare with Windows save path.Windows save path is unclear
Windows save path needs a source-backed route check.
Use row 4 and the source trail to decide whether to continue, detour or delay it.
Do not: Do not assume Windows save path works like another game's category. Then compare with Steam Deck path.Playable tools
Use this while planning your route
These tools turn the guide into a quick decision surface for boss attempts, builds, quests and backups.
Decision tool
Save Location state picker
Choose the state that matches your current Hollow Knight save.
Choose the current state to get the next action.
Video
Hollow Knight official media reference
Use official Steam and publisher media as the video/source anchor while page-specific clips are collected.
Open official Steam mediaStructured data
Real entries to check while playing
These tables turn the page into a working reference instead of a text-only article. Exact values should stay tied to the source trail and update date.
Database
Save Location source-backed facts
| Entry | Type | Where it matters | Player use | Risk | Next action | Verification | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| slot 1 backup | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | slot 1 backup is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify slot 1 backup, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | PCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight site |
| Steel Soul backup note | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Steel Soul backup note is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify Steel Soul backup note, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Steam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow Knight |
| Steam Cloud copy | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Steam Cloud copy is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify Steam Cloud copy, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Official Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow Knight |
| Windows save path | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Windows save path is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify Windows save path, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | PCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight site |
| Steam Deck path | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Steam Deck path is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify Steam Deck path, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Steam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow Knight |
| modded save copy | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | modded save copy is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify modded save copy, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Official Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow Knight |
| restore test | save | Save Location / Hollow Knight | Use this save entry when the player is trying to back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | restore test is risky when it is copied without checking route state, patch state or unlock state. | Open Save Location, verify restore test, then make one in-game change before comparing results. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | PCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight site |
Database
Save Location decision checks
| Entry | Stage | Decision | Action | Avoid | Next | Verification | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| slot 1 backup | 1. Save Location decision | Treat slot 1 backup as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether slot 1 backup is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force slot 1 backup into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to Steel Soul backup note after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | PCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight site |
| Steel Soul backup note | 2. Save Location decision | Treat Steel Soul backup note as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether Steel Soul backup note is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force Steel Soul backup note into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to Steam Cloud copy after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Steam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow Knight |
| Steam Cloud copy | 3. Save Location decision | Treat Steam Cloud copy as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether Steam Cloud copy is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force Steam Cloud copy into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to Windows save path after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Official Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow Knight |
| Windows save path | 4. Save Location decision | Treat Windows save path as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether Windows save path is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force Windows save path into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to Steam Deck path after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | PCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight site |
| Steam Deck path | 5. Save Location decision | Treat Steam Deck path as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether Steam Deck path is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force Steam Deck path into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to modded save copy after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Steam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow Knight |
| modded save copy | 6. Save Location decision | Treat modded save copy as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether modded save copy is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force modded save copy into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to restore test after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | Official Hollow Knight sitePCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow Knight |
| restore test | 7. Save Location decision | Treat restore test as the current checkpoint for back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup. | Check the linked source trail, then record whether restore test is unlocked, skipped or blocked in the save. | Do not force restore test into another game's framework or publish it without source-backed context. | Move to slot 1 backup after this checkpoint is resolved. | source-backed fact high confidence 2026-05-12 | PCGamingWiki: Hollow KnightSteam News: Hollow KnightOfficial Hollow Knight site |
Player problem
Players lose time in Hollow Knight when save location advice is not tied to unlocks, route state, patch state and source evidence.
Save Location now has a source-backed checklist, entity table and decision flow focused on back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup.
Save Location starts with the current blocker
The page is built around back up save slots before Steel Soul, mods or ending cleanup, so the player can act before reading every row.
- Identify which of the first three entries matches the save.
- Check whether the source trail confirms the route.
- Do one change, then return to the table if the blocker remains.
What to verify before changing the route
Hollow Knight routes can break when unlocks, DLC, patches or mods are assumed instead of verified.
- Confirm slot 1 backup is available.
- Compare Steel Soul backup note with the current player goal.
- Mark Steam Cloud copy as done, blocked or skipped.
How this page should be expanded next
The current standard is source-backed and useful, but future updates should add screenshots, route clips and deeper per-entry notes.
- Add one image for each high-volume player problem.
- Attach update notes when a patch changes Save Location.
- Keep unsafe or cheat-like instructions out of the page.
Save Location player decision table
| Current problem | Use this entry | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight player is stuck on slot 1 backup | Save Location row 1: verify slot 1 backup against the source trail | Record whether slot 1 backup is done, blocked or not relevant before moving on |
| Hollow Knight player is stuck on Steel Soul backup note | Save Location row 2: verify Steel Soul backup note against the source trail | Record whether Steel Soul backup note is done, blocked or not relevant before moving on |
| Hollow Knight player is stuck on Steam Cloud copy | Save Location row 3: verify Steam Cloud copy against the source trail | Record whether Steam Cloud copy is done, blocked or not relevant before moving on |
| Hollow Knight player is stuck on Windows save path | Save Location row 4: verify Windows save path against the source trail | Record whether Windows save path is done, blocked or not relevant before moving on |
Action checklist
Do this in order
- Open the Save Location source trail before changing the save.
- Mark the relevant Hollow Knight entry from the structured table.
- Check whether patches, DLC or mods change this route.
- Make one in-game change, then test it for one session.
- Update the page if a source contradicts the current row.
FAQ
Common questions
Is this save location page beginner-safe?
Yes. It starts with practical route checks and keeps spoiler-heavy details in named rows.
Why are sources shown on every page?
Players need to verify patch-sensitive facts instead of trusting stale summary text.
What should be added next?
More screenshots, short route clips and deeper per-entry notes for the highest-volume problems.
Sources