To manually import a downloaded save file for Schedule 1, you need to place the extracted files into the game's hidden AppData directory. The exact Windows path is:
C:\Users\[Your_Name]\AppData\LocalLow\TVGS\Schedule I\Saves\[Your_Steam_ID]
Crucial Step: Before pasting your new save file into this folder, you must disable Steam Cloud synchronization in your Steam library properties. If you skip this step, Steam will automatically overwrite your downloaded file with your old cloud save the moment you launch the game.
Bypassing the initial survival grind in Schedule 1 is a common goal for players who want to immediately access the game's advanced production lines, unlock all properties, or experiment in a sandbox-style environment. Whether you are looking to secure a "Perfect Warehouse" layout or simply want to test out high-level Kingpin mechanics without spending dozens of hours managing basic worker needs, importing a completed save file is a highly effective solution.
However, the process is rarely as simple as dragging and dropping a file. Due to the way the Unity engine handles local storage and how Steam Cloud aggressively manages synchronization, many players find that their imported saves simply do not appear in the game menu. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the exact technical steps required to locate your directory, safely download verified files, and troubleshoot common version conflicts.
Schedule 1, developed by TVGS, utilizes the Unity engine. By default, Unity games store local user data in the LocalLow directory rather than the standard Documents folder or the game's installation directory. Finding this folder is the first mandatory step before you can modify your progress.
If you are playing on a standard Windows 10 or Windows 11 machine, your save files are located here:
C:\Users\[Your_Username]\AppData\LocalLow\TVGS\Schedule I\Saves\
Because the AppData folder is hidden by default in Windows, you have two ways to access it:
Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type %appdata% and press Enter. This will open the "Roaming" folder. Click "AppData" in the address bar at the top of the window to go back one level, then open the LocalLow folder, followed by TVGS, and finally Schedule I.
Once you open the Saves folder, you will not immediately see your save files. Instead, you will see a folder named with a long string of numbers (e.g., 76561198012345678). This number is your unique Steam ID64. The game creates this subfolder to keep different Steam accounts separate if multiple people play on the same PC. Your actual save files (ending in .dat or .sav) are located inside this numbered folder.
Pro Tip for Steam Deck & Linux Users: If you are playing Schedule 1 via Proton on a Steam Deck, the Windows file path does not apply. Instead, you must navigate to the game's specific compatdata prefix. The path is typically: ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/3164500/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/LocalLow/TVGS/Schedule I/.
If you prefer not to grind through the early game, downloading a community-provided save file is a popular choice. These files are typically uploaded by players who have already maximized their character's stats, accumulated massive wealth, and unlocked all available real estate.
When downloading save files, it is crucial to use reputable modding communities to avoid malicious software. Based on community usage, two sources rank among the top options for Schedule 1:
Depending on which file you download, a "100% completion" save typically grants you access to:
Once you have downloaded your preferred save file, follow these steps to install it correctly:
Most save files are distributed as .zip or .rar archives. Use a program like 7-Zip or WinRAR to extract the contents to your desktop. You should see files ending in .dat or .sav.
Navigate to your Steam ID folder (as detailed in the previous section). Copy all existing files in this folder and paste them into a safe backup folder on your desktop. This ensures you can restore your original progress if something goes wrong.
Copy the extracted .dat files from your downloaded save and paste them directly into your Steam ID folder, choosing to overwrite any existing files when prompted by Windows.
Start Schedule 1. On the main menu, select "Load Game" and look for the new save file. It should display the advanced stats (high money, high level) of the downloaded file.
Some players note an "Import" button in the game's UI. While this button is intended to streamline the process, many users report that manually moving the files into the directory is a more reliable method, as the in-game importer sometimes fails to recognize files placed in the root directory.
The most common frustration players face is following the installation steps perfectly, only to launch the game and find their old save file still active. This issue is almost always caused by one of two technical conflicts: Steam Cloud synchronization or version-specific folder generation.
Steam Cloud is designed to protect your progress by backing up your local files to Steam's servers. When you launch a game, Steam compares the local files on your PC to the files in the cloud. If it detects that the local files have been suddenly changed (which happens when you paste in a downloaded save), Steam assumes your local files are corrupted or out of date. It immediately downloads your old cloud save and overwrites the new file you just installed.
To fix this, you must temporarily disable Steam Cloud before importing:
Once disabled, paste your downloaded save file into the directory and launch the game. After you have successfully loaded the new save and played for a few minutes, you can save the game manually, exit, and turn Steam Cloud back on. Steam will then upload your new 100% save to the cloud.
Another frequent issue arises from how Schedule 1 handles game updates. Different builds of the game (for example, v0.3.5 versus v0.4.0) will sometimes generate entirely new folders within the Saves directory. If you have been playing the game across multiple updates, you might see several folders with long numbers.
If you paste your downloaded save into an older version's folder, the current version of the game will simply ignore it. To find the active folder, open the Saves directory, right-click in an empty space, and sort the folders by "Date Modified." The folder with the most recent timestamp is the one the game is currently reading from. Paste your files there.
Not all "100% completion" files are created equal. Because Schedule 1 features complex branching mechanics and specific unlockable areas, different uploaders prioritize different aspects of the game. Before downloading, it is helpful to know exactly what gaps might exist in a given file.
| Save File Source | Completion Status | Key Features Included | Known Gaps / Missing Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nexus Mods (Save 364) | 100% | Max Money, All Scenes Unlocked, High Kingpin Level. | None reported; highly comprehensive. |
| Nexus Mods (Save 1041) | 99% | Kingpin 100+, Unlimited Bank Money, All Properties Owned, Dock Shrooms available. | The "Sewer" area remains locked in this specific file. |
| SaveGame.info | 100% | Perfect Warehouse layout, massive starting capital. | Layout is highly structured; may require reorganization if you prefer custom setups. |
If you want immediate access to everything without restrictions, Save 364 ranks among the top choices. However, if you specifically want to experience unlocking the Sewer area yourself while having unlimited funds to do so, Save 1041 offers a strong middle ground.
While downloading a static save file is convenient, it forces you to adopt another player's warehouse layout and character decisions. For players who want to maintain their own warehouse but simply want to adjust their money or specific item quantities, a save editor is a highly recommended alternative.
Despite some older guides claiming that no editor exists for the game, a robust, community-developed tool is available. The N0edL Save File Editor, hosted on GitHub, provides a graphical interface for modifying your existing save files.
The N0edL editor goes far beyond simple money adjustments. It interacts directly with the game's data structures, allowing for deep customization:
To run the N0edL editor, your system must meet a few basic requirements. You will need Python 3.9 or higher installed on your PC, and the tool requires approximately 500MB of free disk space to operate effectively.
Safety Checklist for Third-Party Tools: Save editors are frequently flagged as "False Positives" by Windows Defender and other antivirus software. This happens because the editor uses PyInstaller packaging and interacts directly with game memory files—behaviors that mimic malware. To ensure safety, always download the editor directly from the official GitHub repository rather than third-party re-upload sites. You can also review the open-source code yourself if you have Python experience.
Many players start their journey with the "Schedule 1 Free Sample" (the game's demo version) and naturally want to carry their hard-earned progress over to the full release. Unfortunately, according to community discussions on Steam, direct save transfers from the demo to the full game are not officially supported.
The primary reason for this incompatibility lies in the game's architecture. The Free Sample features a different starting location and a restricted map structure compared to the full release. If you attempt to force a demo save file into the full game's directory, the game will likely crash upon loading, or your character will spawn out of bounds.
The Manual Workaround: If you are determined not to lose your demo progress, the best approach is to start a new game in the full release, save immediately, and then use the N0edL Save Editor to manually adjust your new file. You can edit your starting money, inventory, and rank to match exactly what you had achieved in the Free Sample, effectively "transferring" your progress without risking file corruption.
C:\Users\[Your_Name]\AppData\LocalLow\TVGS\Schedule I\Saves. If you cannot see the AppData folder, you need to click "View" in the File Explorer menu, go to "Show," and check "Hidden items.".dat or .sav file in the expected directory. This often happens if the files are still inside a .zip folder, or if they were placed in the root game folder instead of the specific Steam ID subfolder.Managing save files in Schedule 1 requires a bit of technical navigation, but bypassing the early-game grind opens up entirely new ways to enjoy the simulation. Whether you opt for a community-provided 100% save or choose to customize your own progress with an editor, following the correct installation path is essential.
AppData\LocalLow\TVGS\Schedule I.