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Plants Vs. Zombies – location of save game file

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.

Steam version

• Vista/Window 7: C:\ProgramData\Steam\PlantsVsZombies\userdata
• XP: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common\plants vs zombies\userdata

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.

Related posts:

1. Location of important folders in Windows 7
2. Crysis Warhead Won’t Display 1920×1200: How to Fix
3. How to: quickly and easily copy multiple file names to the Windows clipboard
4. old school: use xcopy to back up your stuff