Plants Vs. Zombies – location of save game file (Windows XP, Windows 7, & Mac OS)
Wanna continue playing Plants Vs. Zombies on a different computer, but don't want to lose your progress? I know I ran into this scenario: I've been playing the game on my netbook, but really wanted to start playing on my desktop's 24" monitor.
So I poked around and eventually figured out where the elusive save files are located.
(Added 11.11.2010) Mac OS
According to this link, the Mac OS save game file is located in /Users/*username*/Library/Application Support/Popcap/PlantsVsZombiesMac/userdata/
I don't know if this is for both Steam and non-Steam versions, and I am not sure if the files are interchangeable with PC.
PC - Steam version
- Vista/Window 7: C:\ProgramData\Steam\PlantsVsZombies\userdata
- XP: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\plants vs zombies\userdata
PC - Non-Steam version
- Vista/Windows 7: C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies\userdata
- XP: C:\Program Files\PopCap Games\Plants vs. Zombies\userdata
So, locate the files on the computer you're currently playing on. Then, copy all of the .dat files into the directory on the computer you want to start playing on (in my case, I copied them from the netbook to the desktop). Note that this will overwrite any progress on the target computer, but you probably figured that already.
Note: I can't vouch for XP, but in my Windows 7 + Steam scenario, the 'C:\ProgramData\Steam\PlantsVsZombies\userdata' folder is hidden. I had to turn on viewing of hidden files: Computer > Organize > Folder and Search Options > View > Show hidden files, folders, and drives (works in Vista too). In XP it's My Computer > Tools > Folder Options > View > Show hidden files — or something like that.
By the way, did you find this article through Google? I also encourage you to come back to my home page regularly; I'm constantly adding new tech tips to this site. Thanks for stopping by.
January 19th, 2010 - 13:59
Nice! Thanks
May 12th, 2010 - 18:17
my favorite character on the Plants Vs. Zombies game is none other than the Michael Jackson zombie.-..
May 17th, 2010 - 09:59
That is a good one. I also like the Yeti zombie (very rare and only found on a certain level).
August 16th, 2010 - 20:42
Plants Vs. Zombies should be given the title “game of the year”, this game is so addictive-”;
August 31st, 2010 - 20:25
I forgot how to do this and look where I ended up.
Thanks Andy
September 6th, 2010 - 09:41
No problem Jimmy. Btw, do I know you? LOL sorry if I should be making a connection here.
September 10th, 2010 - 03:40
Hi to all. I have tried to take my save files from ‘userdata’ folder with me, but on my home laptop whey don’t work. I have replaced all files in same folder with those I have brought but still can’t play my last game. I have transferred from XP to Win 7. Maybe this is a problem??
September 11th, 2010 - 10:20
Vadim – Steam or non-Steam version? I’ll assume non-Steam. So you just copied everything from “C:\Program Files\PopCap Games\Plants vs. Zombies\userdata” to “C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies\userdata”?
Also do you think it could be a permissions issue on the file(s)? Are you familiar with how to check this?
October 1st, 2010 - 05:58
when i play the setup they says that its less physical memory than 512mb…
pls help
November 3rd, 2010 - 18:57
How can I transfer my game progress from one iPhone to another? Have a new phone and don’t want to restart from the beginning, took me weeks of playing to finish adventure mode twice. Thanks.
November 4th, 2010 - 08:26
Diana – I don’t know that this is possible. I am not sure of a way to copy the PVZ data for the iPhone. I don’t even know if there is a way to access it. I know the PC version offers “cloud syncing” over Steam, but I don’t think there is anything like that available on iPhone, even through the Game Center.
February 23rd, 2011 - 16:16
I have tried to take my save files from ‘userdata’ folder with me, but on my home laptop whey don’t work. I have replaced all files in same folder with those I have brought but still can’t play my last game. I have transferred from XP to Win 7 and d’ont work !!
February 28th, 2011 - 20:43
Stefanutz,
Did you use the versions appropriate for Steam vs. non-Steam, and the proper OS? For example, Windows XP has a different file location than Vista/7.
March 22nd, 2011 - 07:43
its cool bro i find it……………………
April 2nd, 2011 - 22:33
i tried to put it from my pc to my laptop but the laptop would not let me put it in????
April 2nd, 2011 - 22:47
My game was deleted how can i get it back??
April 2nd, 2011 - 23:03
please help im desperado!! pweaaaase imma noobb!
April 2nd, 2011 - 23:04
babbiiis hewp meeeee~~~ waah
April 6th, 2011 - 21:11
t dog,
Dude. Chill. LOL. If the files are really deleted, you can try an undelete utility. Or you can use system protection to roll your PC back to before the files were deleted? Just a thought.
April 13th, 2011 - 02:41
how
April 13th, 2011 - 02:41
im 6
May 30th, 2011 - 07:38
groovy
June 9th, 2011 - 23:34
Thanks Andrew. I owe you one
July 3rd, 2011 - 02:50
I clould not find Plants vs zombies thatt I was playing
August 31st, 2011 - 09:41
Thanks for the view hidden files reply
September 3rd, 2011 - 23:20
hey i can help for you
non-Steam version? I’ll assume non-Steam. So you just copied everything from “C:\Program Files\PopCap Games\Plants vs. Zombies\userdata” to “C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies\userdata”?
=> it is not
it is here . you turn on hidden folder . open C:
you can see ProgamData
C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies\user and cache
you copy it from v…v….. to here replace
September 7th, 2011 - 23:05
Thanks, ninja.
September 15th, 2011 - 03:04
Plants Vs. Zombies – location of save game file (Windows XP, Windows 7, & Mac OS) | Welcome to Andrewblock.net – excellent
November 5th, 2011 - 21:28
Has anyone figured out how to go back and replay a level? I would like to replay some levels just because they were fun.
March 2nd, 2012 - 15:11
Thanks a lot…this has been of great help…!!!
and @JEFF (the above commentator) previous levels cannot played in this game in adventure mode…so try playing the mini games after you unlock them…they consist almost all of the level types…
May 19th, 2012 - 13:50
Here’s a tricky question – my son deleted my player name today – after I spent many, many hours playing every singe level just so that he could play the mini games. Is there any way to restore it?
June 17th, 2012 - 21:13
Would you pleased help me how to copy the user data of the plants vs zombies from window Xp to window 7 . Thank you very much
June 21st, 2012 - 15:16
Yee,
On the XP machine, copy what’s in C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\plants vs zombies\userdata (FOR STEAM VERSION) or C:\Program Files\PopCap Games\Plants vs. Zombies\userdata (NON STEAM VERSION).
Copy those files to the directory on the Windows 7 machine: C:\ProgramData\Steam\PlantsVsZombies\userdata (STEAM VERSION) or C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies\userdata (NON STEAM VERSION)
August 17th, 2012 - 00:42
I had several saved games on XP & got a new computer that has Win 7. I have moved all of the appropriate files to the userdata file but when I open Plants vs Zombies it doesn’t show anything. It just wants me to create new games. I have downloaded from Shockwave, Does that make a difference?
September 22nd, 2012 - 00:53
Heather – what do you mean by “downloaded from Shockwave?” Help me understand. Maybe we can figure it out.
April 11th, 2013 - 07:50
Have upgraded from desktop with XP to laptop with Win 8. Copied files from relevant dir’s on desktop and placed in my users file on laptop. Run .exe file, game starts but my previous user names aren’t here. Your assistance would be appreciated with target folder on laptop and any other info.
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