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Difference between revisions of "Glossary:Game data"

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m (→‎Client folder: Correction: Origin game data is normally under "Origin Games," a separate folder under Program Files.)
(27 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
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* For non-Steam games right click the shortcut and choose ''Open file location''.
 
* For non-Steam games right click the shortcut and choose ''Open file location''.
 
* For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose ''Properties'', then go to the ''Local files'' tab and click ''Browse local files''.
 
* For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose ''Properties'', then go to the ''Local files'' tab and click ''Browse local files''.
* Changes to <code>%PROGRAMFILES%</code>, <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%</code> and <code>{{p|windir}}</code> are redirected to <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore</code> on Windows Vista and later when the process is elevated (a [[Wikipedia:User Account Control|User Account Control]] prompt is shown on launch); Steam and many MMOGs change folder permissions to save directly into the installation folder.
+
* Activity in <code>%PROGRAMFILES%</code>, <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%</code> and <code>{{p|windir}}</code> is redirected to <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore</code> on Windows Vista and later for unprivileged programs<ref>[https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb530410.aspx#vistauac_topic3 Windows Vista Application Development Requirements for User Account Control Compatibility - MSDN]</ref><ref>[https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/2007.06.uac.aspx#s2 Security: Inside Windows Vista User Account Control - TechNet]</ref>; Steam and many MMOs change folder permissions to save directly into the installation folder.
  
===OS X===
+
===macOS (OS X)===
 
* For non-Steam games open Finder and click Applications on the side. Some games will be in folders.
 
* For non-Steam games open Finder and click Applications on the side. Some games will be in folders.
 
* For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose ''Properties'', then go to the ''Local files'' tab and click ''Browse local files''.
 
* For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose ''Properties'', then go to the ''Local files'' tab and click ''Browse local files''.
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* 64-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Steam</code>
 
* 64-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Steam</code>
 
* 32-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES%\Steam</code>
 
* 32-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES%\Steam</code>
* OS X: <code>~/Library/Application Support/Steam/</code>
+
* macOS (OS X): <code>~/Library/Application Support/Steam/</code>
 
* Linux: <code>~/.steam/steam/</code>
 
* Linux: <code>~/.steam/steam/</code>
  
 
Game data is saved within a folder called steamapps found within the Steam directory.
 
Game data is saved within a folder called steamapps found within the Steam directory.
 +
 +
===Origin===
 +
The Origin Client folder contains data for games using Origin integration; it uses the following locations by default:
 +
* 64-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Origin Games</code>
 +
* 32-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES%\Origin Games</code>
  
 
===Uplay===
 
===Uplay===
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* 64-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher</code>
 
* 64-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher</code>
 
* 32-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES%\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher</code>
 
* 32-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES%\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher</code>
 
===Origin===
 
The Origin Client folder contains data for games using Origin integration; it uses the following locations by default:
 
* 64-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Origin Games</code>
 
* 32-bit Windows: <code>%PROGRAMFILES%\Origin Games</code>
 
  
 
==Windows data paths==
 
==Windows data paths==
 
{{ii}} Documentation on how to incorporate these paths into any wiki articles can be found [[Template:Path|here]].
 
{{ii}} Documentation on how to incorporate these paths into any wiki articles can be found [[Template:Path|here]].
 
{{ii}} To open the environmental variable path, either copy/paste or write the desired path variable to file explorer, to start menu search bar or to run dialog which can be opened with {{key|Win|R}}.
 
{{ii}} To open the environmental variable path, either copy/paste or write the desired path variable to file explorer, to start menu search bar or to run dialog which can be opened with {{key|Win|R}}.
 +
{{ii}} A list of the different paths for each version of Windows can be found [http://www.installmate.com/support/im9/using/pages/typicalpaths.htm here] and a list of environment variables can be found [https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749104.aspx here.]
 +
{{ii}} Note that some folders are hidden by default. To view them, enable "show hidden files and folders" and possibly disable "hide protected operating system files" in your Windows folder configuration.
 +
{{ii}} Below, the letter <code>C:\</code> refers to the drive where Windows is installed and on some computers this could be <code>D:\</code> or another letter.
  
 
===User profile===
 
===User profile===
{{ii}} <code>{{p|userprofile}}</code> points to the current user's profile folder. Which is usually <code>"C:\Users\(Username)"</code>
+
{{ii}} <code>{{p|userprofile}}</code> points to the current user's profile folder.
 +
{{ii}} For Windows Vista/7/8/10, this points to <code>C:\Users\(Username)\</code>.
 +
{{ii}} For Windows 2000/XP, this points to <code>C:\Documents and Settings\(Username)\</code>.
 
{{ii}} Some games use a path based on <code>{{p|username}}</code>; this method does not redirect when the user folder locations have been customised.
 
{{ii}} Some games use a path based on <code>{{p|username}}</code>; this method does not redirect when the user folder locations have been customised.
  
===Appdata===
+
===User application data===
{{ii}} <code>{{p|appdata}}</code> and <code>{{p|localappdata}}</code> contain application settings for the current user profile.
+
{{ii}} There are multiple folders for application settings for user profiles.
{{ii}} On Windows Vista or later, <code>{{p|appdata}}</code> - which most games use points to <code>"C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming"</code>, while <code>{{p|localappdata}}</code> points to <code>"C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Local"</code>. C= Drive windows is installed on, which can vary on some weird configurations.
+
{{ii}} On Windows Vista/7/8/10, <code>{{p|appdata}}</code> points to <code>C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\</code>, while <code>{{p|localappdata}}</code> points to <code>C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Local\</code> another possible location for app data.
{{ii}} Some games use <code>{{p|userprofile}}\AppData\LocalLow</code>, this location does not have a short environmental variable so must be specified in this longer form. For Windows XP use <code>{{p|appdata}}</code>.
+
{{ii}} Some newer games use <code>{{p|userprofile}}\AppData\LocalLow\</code>, this location does not have a short environmental variable so must be specified in this longer form.
{{ii}} For Windows XP the <code>{{p|localappdata}}</code> files are stored in <code>{{p|userprofile}}\Local Settings\Application Data</code>.
+
{{ii}} On Windows 2000/XP, <code>{{p|appdata}}</code> points to <code>C:\Documents and Settings\(Username)\Application Data\</code>, while <code>C:\Documents and Settings\(Username)\Local Settings\Application Data\</code> is the other possible location with no default environment variable.
{{ii}} Note that the AppData folder is hidden by default. Enable show hidden files and folders in your windows folder configuration to view it.
 
  
===Public===
+
===Shared profile===
{{ii}} <code>{{p|public}}</code> points to the Public user profile folder shared between all users.
+
{{ii}} <code>{{p|public}}</code> or <code>%ALLUSERSPROFILE%</code> contain application settings shared between all users.
 +
{{ii}} For Windows Vista/7/8/10, <code>{{p|public}}</code> points to <code>C:\Users\Public\</code>.
 +
{{ii}} For Windows 2000/XP, <code>%ALLUSERSPROFILE%</code> points to the <code>C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\</code>.
  
===ProgramData===
+
===Shared application data===
{{ii}} <code>{{p|programdata}}</code> contains program data shared between all users, for Windows XP use <code>%ALLUSERSPROFILE%</code>.
+
{{ii}} <code>{{p|programdata}}</code> or <code>%ALLUSERSPROFILE%</code> contain application settings shared between all users.
 +
{{ii}} On Windows Vista/7/8/10, <code>{{p|programdata}}</code> points to a hidden folder at <code>C:\ProgramData\</code>.
 +
{{ii}} On Windows 2000/XP, <code>%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\</code> points to <code>C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\</code>.
  
 
==Windows registry==
 
==Windows registry==
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# Go to the folder named.
 
# Go to the folder named.
  
 +
===HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE===
 +
{{ii}} 32-bit programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE}} without elevation are redirected to {{Code|{{p|hkcu}}\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE}} on Windows Vista and later.<ref>[https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb530198.aspx Registry Virtualization in Windows Vista - MSDN]</ref>
 +
{{ii}} On 64-bit systems, 32-bit programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE}} are redirected to a {{Code|Wow6432Node}} key there<ref>[https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724072.aspx 32-bit and 64-bit Application Data in the Registry (Windows) - MSDN]</ref>
 +
 +
===HKEY_CURRENT_USER===
 +
{{ii}} Note that 32-bit programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hkcu}}\Software}} are NOT redirected to a {{Code|Wow6432Node}} key unlike local machine writes. They are stored in the same location, as programs per user edits are assumed to always be compatible between architectures. Per machine edits are too, 99.99% of the time{{CN|Source?}}, the restriction was mostly a poor choice by Microsoft.{{CN|Not clear enough. Which restriction?}}
 +
 +
==User ID==
 +
A User ID is a unique identifier used to identify accounts. Files are sometimes saved to user specific location such as using profile name or numbered ID in filename/path indicated by <code>{{p|uid}}</code>. This can vary between users.
  
 +
===Steam===
 +
{{ii}} Steam has multiple user ids, but the one most commonly used by users is the '''steamID64''' which contains 17 numbers and starts with {{code|7656}}.
 +
{{ii}} The '''customURL''' is a customizable id which can be set in the Steam profile settings.
  
===HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE===
+
===Origin===
{{ii}} Programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hklm}}}} without elevation are redirected to {{Code|{{p|hkcu}}\Software\Classes\{{sic|Virtual|Store}}\MACHINE}} on Windows Vista and later.
+
{{ii}} Origin uses randomized characters including letters (a-Z) and numbers mixed together, ending with two hyphens. For example, [[User:Hawaii_Beach|Hawaii_Beach]] has the following ID: <code>BobyAWXzmLlf6NasXubNEw--</code>
{{ii}} Elevated 32-bit programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE}} are redirected to a {{Code|Wow6432Node}} folder there; omit {{Code|Wow6432Node}} if you are using a 32-bit version of Windows.
+
 
{{ii}} Non-elevated programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hklm}}\SOFTWARE}} are redirected to {{code|HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\}}; omit {{Code|Wow6432Node}} if you are using a 32-bit version of Windows.
+
===Uplay===
 +
{{ii}} Ubisoft uses the [[Wikipedia:GUID|GUID]] format.
 +
 
 +
==macOS (OS X) paths==
 +
{{ii}} {{Code|$HOME}} refers to the user's home folder, for example {{Code|/Users/user/}}, where the account name is "user".
  
===HKEY_CURRENT_USER===
+
'''Note''': The hidden <code>Library</code> folder can be reached via "Finder > {{key|Shift|Command|G}} > <code>~/Library</code> > Go" path.
{{ii}} Note that 32-bit programs writing to {{Code|{{p|hkcu}}\Software}} are NOT redirected to a {{Code|Wow6432Node}} folder unlike local machine writes. They are stored in the same location, as programs per user edits are assumed to always be compatible between architectures. Per machine edits are too, 99.99% of the time, the restriction was mostly a poor choice by Microsoft.
 
  
 
==Linux paths==
 
==Linux paths==
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===Home===
 
===Home===
 
{{ii}} {{Code|$HOME}} refers to the user's home folder, for example {{Code|/home/user}}, where the account name is "user".
 
{{ii}} {{Code|$HOME}} refers to the user's home folder, for example {{Code|/home/user}}, where the account name is "user".
 +
 +
{{References}}

Revision as of 14:04, 27 June 2018

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Installation folder

The game's installation folder is where the game's files are stored, displayed as <path-to-game>. Save files are sometimes stored here as well but many newer games will put them in a different location.

Windows

  • For non-Steam games right click the shortcut and choose Open file location.
  • For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose Properties, then go to the Local files tab and click Browse local files.
  • Activity in %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMFILES(X86)% and %WINDIR% is redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later for unprivileged programs[1][2]; Steam and many MMOs change folder permissions to save directly into the installation folder.

macOS (OS X)

  • For non-Steam games open Finder and click Applications on the side. Some games will be in folders.
  • For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose Properties, then go to the Local files tab and click Browse local files.

Linux

  • For Steam games right-click the game in the Steam library and choose Properties, then go to the Local files tab and click Browse local files.

Client folder

Steam

The Steam folder contains data for games using Steam integration; it uses the following locations by default:

  • 64-bit Windows: %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Steam
  • 32-bit Windows: %PROGRAMFILES%\Steam
  • macOS (OS X): ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/
  • Linux: ~/.steam/steam/

Game data is saved within a folder called steamapps found within the Steam directory.

Origin

The Origin Client folder contains data for games using Origin integration; it uses the following locations by default:

  • 64-bit Windows: %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Origin Games
  • 32-bit Windows: %PROGRAMFILES%\Origin Games

Uplay

The Uplay folder contains data for games using Uplay integration; it uses the following locations by default:

  • 64-bit Windows: %PROGRAMFILES(X86)%\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher
  • 32-bit Windows: %PROGRAMFILES%\Ubisoft\Ubisoft Game Launcher

Windows data paths

Documentation on how to incorporate these paths into any wiki articles can be found here.
To open the environmental variable path, either copy/paste or write the desired path variable to file explorer, to start menu search bar or to run dialog which can be opened with Win+R.
A list of the different paths for each version of Windows can be found here and a list of environment variables can be found here.
Note that some folders are hidden by default. To view them, enable "show hidden files and folders" and possibly disable "hide protected operating system files" in your Windows folder configuration.
Below, the letter C:\ refers to the drive where Windows is installed and on some computers this could be D:\ or another letter.

User profile

%USERPROFILE% points to the current user's profile folder.
For Windows Vista/7/8/10, this points to C:\Users\(Username)\.
For Windows 2000/XP, this points to C:\Documents and Settings\(Username)\.
Some games use a path based on %USERNAME%; this method does not redirect when the user folder locations have been customised.

User application data

There are multiple folders for application settings for user profiles.
On Windows Vista/7/8/10, %APPDATA% points to C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Roaming\, while %LOCALAPPDATA% points to C:\Users\(Username)\AppData\Local\ another possible location for app data.
Some newer games use %USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\, this location does not have a short environmental variable so must be specified in this longer form.
On Windows 2000/XP, %APPDATA% points to C:\Documents and Settings\(Username)\Application Data\, while C:\Documents and Settings\(Username)\Local Settings\Application Data\ is the other possible location with no default environment variable.

Shared profile

%PUBLIC% or %ALLUSERSPROFILE% contain application settings shared between all users.
For Windows Vista/7/8/10, %PUBLIC% points to C:\Users\Public\.
For Windows 2000/XP, %ALLUSERSPROFILE% points to the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\.

Shared application data

%PROGRAMDATA% or %ALLUSERSPROFILE% contain application settings shared between all users.
On Windows Vista/7/8/10, %PROGRAMDATA% points to a hidden folder at C:\ProgramData\.
On Windows 2000/XP, %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\ points to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\.

Windows registry

  1. Open the Registry Editor:
    • Vista and later: open the Start screen/Start menu, type regedit, press Enter.
    • Windows XP: press Win+R, type regedit, press Enter.
  2. Go to the folder named.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

32-bit programs writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE without elevation are redirected to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE on Windows Vista and later.[3]
On 64-bit systems, 32-bit programs writing to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE are redirected to a Wow6432Node key there[4]

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Note that 32-bit programs writing to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software are NOT redirected to a Wow6432Node key unlike local machine writes. They are stored in the same location, as programs per user edits are assumed to always be compatible between architectures. Per machine edits are too, 99.99% of the time[citation needed], the restriction was mostly a poor choice by Microsoft.[citation needed]

User ID

A User ID is a unique identifier used to identify accounts. Files are sometimes saved to user specific location such as using profile name or numbered ID in filename/path indicated by <user-id>. This can vary between users.

Steam

Steam has multiple user ids, but the one most commonly used by users is the steamID64 which contains 17 numbers and starts with 7656.
The customURL is a customizable id which can be set in the Steam profile settings.

Origin

Origin uses randomized characters including letters (a-Z) and numbers mixed together, ending with two hyphens. For example, Hawaii_Beach has the following ID: BobyAWXzmLlf6NasXubNEw--

Uplay

Ubisoft uses the GUID format.

macOS (OS X) paths

$HOME refers to the user's home folder, for example /Users/user/, where the account name is "user".

Note: The hidden Library folder can be reached via "Finder > Shift+ Command+G > ~/Library > Go" path.

Linux paths

The correct place on Linux to store save data and configuration files are specified by the XDG base directory specification.

XDG paths

Most distributions do not set a default option for these environmental variables.
Games using $XDG_DATA_HOME should default to $HOME/.local/share for the save path.
Games using $XDG_CONFIG_HOME should default to $HOME/.config for the configuration path.

Note: a game using the fall-back paths doesn't guarantee it is following the XDG specification. For example, Game Maker and Unity 4 titles do not actually use the relevant environmental variables, despite using the correct fall-back path.

Home

$HOME refers to the user's home folder, for example /home/user, where the account name is "user".


References