You've spent dozens of hours building an impressive base, gathering resources, and exploring Embervale solo. Now your friends want to join, but hosting from your PC creates problems - poor performance when you're not online, lag during gameplay, and the hassle of keeping your computer running constantly. The solution is transferring your single-player world to a dedicated Enshrouded server.

In this guide, you will learn how to locate your Enshrouded save files on Windows, understand the difference between Steam Cloud and local saves, transfer your world to a server manually, use Pine Hosting's simplified transfer process, and troubleshoot common transfer issues.

Why Transfer To A Dedicated Server?

Before diving into the technical process, understanding why dedicated servers improve the multiplayer experience helps justify the effort.

Always-Online Accessibility

When you host from your PC, the world only exists while you're playing. Your friends can't access the server when you're offline, sleeping, or at work. This creates scheduling conflicts where everyone needs to coordinate play sessions around the host's availability.

Dedicated servers run 24/7 independently of any player. Your friends can log in anytime, whether you're online or not. This creates an organic, persistent world where progress happens even when you're away.

Better Performance

Hosting on your gaming PC means it's simultaneously running the game, managing server operations, and handling player connections. This splits system resources and degrades performance for everyone, including you.

Performance Issues With Self-Hosting:

  • Frame rate drops when multiple players connect
  • Increased lag during combat or building
  • Memory usage spikes causing stuttering
  • CPU bottlenecks affecting game logic

Enshrouded server hosting uses separate hardware solely for hosting the game. Your PC focuses entirely on gameplay while the server handles all multiplayer operations. This provides smoother performance for all players regardless of group size.

No Host Dependency

If the host disconnects or crashes, everyone gets kicked. The world becomes temporarily unavailable until the host returns and restarts their game. This disrupts gameplay and frustrates players.

Dedicated servers stay online through host disconnections, game crashes, and network hiccups. Players experience uninterrupted gameplay even if you need to restart your game or fix PC issues.

Better Hardware And Network Infrastructure

Home internet connections prioritize download speeds over upload. Gaming requires strong upload bandwidth to send world data to connected players. Most residential connections can't reliably host more than a few players before lag becomes noticeable.

Dedicated hosting providers use enterprise-grade internet with symmetrical speeds - equally fast uploads and downloads. They also employ hardware specifically optimized for game servers, providing consistent performance regardless of player count.

Understanding Enshrouded Save Files

Before transferring your world, you need to understand how Enshrouded stores save data.

Save File Components

Enshrouded save files consist of multiple components that work together:

World Save File: Named with random hexadecimal characters like 3ad85aea. This contains your world data - terrain modifications, placed structures, gathered resources, and world state.

World Info File: Named 3ad85aea_info (matching your world file name). Contains metadata about your save including creation date, play time, and world settings.

World Index Files: Named 3ad85aea-index and 3ad85aea_info-index. These help the game locate and load save data quickly.

Character File: Named characters. Contains your character's inventory, skills, stats, and unlocked recipes. This file is separate from worlds, so one character file works with multiple world saves.

Steam Cloud Vs Local Saves

Enshrouded uses Steam Cloud by default to sync saves across computers. This convenience creates confusion when locating files because saves live in different directories depending on your Steam Cloud settings.

Steam Cloud Enabled (Default): Save files are stored in your Steam userdata directory and automatically sync to Steam's servers. This allows accessing your saves from any computer with Steam.

Location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\[YourSteamID]\1203620\remote\

Steam Cloud Disabled: Save files are stored locally in your Windows Saved Games folder and don't sync anywhere. You'll need to manually transfer saves between computers.

Location: C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Saved Games\Enshrouded\

Most players use Steam Cloud without realizing it, so your saves are likely in the Steam directory.

Locating Your Save Files

Finding your Enshrouded save files is the first step in the transfer process.

Finding Your Steam ID

If using Steam Cloud saves, you need your Steam ID to navigate to the correct folder. Find it using these methods:

Method 1 - Steam Settings:

  1. Open Steam
  2. Click your profile name in the top right
  3. Select "Account Details"
  4. Look for "Friend Code" - this is your Steam ID displayed as a series of numbers

Method 2 - File Explorer: Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\. You'll see folders with numeric names - these are Steam IDs. If only one folder exists, that's your ID. Multiple folders indicate multiple Steam accounts have logged into your PC.

Method 3 - Steam URL: Visit your Steam profile page. The URL contains your Steam ID: steamcommunity.com/profiles/[YourSteamID]

Once you have your Steam ID, follow these steps:

For Steam Cloud Saves (Most Common):

  1. Open File Explorer (Windows + E)
  2. Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\
  3. Open the folder matching your Steam ID
  4. Open the folder named 1203620 (Enshrouded's Steam App ID)
  5. Open the remote folder

You should see files named with hexadecimal characters (3ad85aea, 3ad85aea_info, etc.) and a file named characters.

Quick Access Method: Press Windows + R, type %programfiles(x86)%\Steam\userdata\, press Enter, then navigate through your Steam ID and the 1203620 folder.

For Local Saves (Steam Cloud Disabled):

  1. Press Windows + R
  2. Type %USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\Enshrouded
  3. Press Enter

If this folder is empty or only contains enshrouded_user.json, you're using Steam Cloud saves instead.

Identifying The Correct World

If you have multiple worlds, identify which one you want to transfer:

By Date Modified: Right-click on files, select Properties, and check the "Date Modified" timestamp. Your most recently played world has the newest timestamp.

By File Size: Larger world files indicate more exploration and building. An extensively developed world will have a significantly larger file size than a fresh start.

By Testing: As a last resort, temporarily rename one world file set (add _test to the end), launch Enshrouded, and see which worlds appear in your load menu. The missing world corresponds to the renamed files.

Backing Up Your Saves

Before any file transfers, create backups to prevent accidental data loss.

Creating Local Backups

  1. Navigate to your save file location (Steam or local directory)
  2. Select all files related to your world (the hexadecimal file and all matching _info and -index files, plus the characters file)
  3. Press Ctrl + C to copy
  4. Navigate to a safe location (external drive, Documents folder, etc.)
  5. Press Ctrl + V to paste
  6. Rename the folder with the date: Enshrouded_Backup_2026-01-22

Pro Tip: Create backups on an external drive or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox). This protects against drive failures and accidental deletions.

Why Backups Matter

File transfers can fail for numerous reasons:

  • Accidentally overwriting files
  • Network interruptions during upload
  • Incorrect file renaming
  • Server configuration errors

Backups let you retry the transfer process without risking your original save. Think of it as insurance - you hope you won't need it, but you'll be grateful if something goes wrong.

Manual Transfer Process

The manual transfer method works with any hosting provider and teaches you exactly how Enshrouded server saves work.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

SFTP/FTP Client Installed: FileZilla (free) or WinSCP (free) work perfectly. Download from their official websites.

Server Login Credentials: Your hosting provider should give you:

  • Server IP address
  • SFTP/FTP port (usually 22 for SFTP)
  • Username
  • Password

Server Access: Ensure your server is stopped before transferring files. Making changes while the server runs can corrupt data.

Step-By-Step Manual Transfer

Step 1: Connect Via SFTP

  1. Open your SFTP client (FileZilla or WinSCP)
  2. Enter your server credentials:
    • Host: Your server IP address
    • Port: 22 (or your provider's SFTP port)
    • Username: Provided by your host
    • Password: Provided by your host
  3. Click Connect

Step 2: Navigate To Server Save Directory

Once connected, navigate to your server's save directory. This varies by hosting provider but is typically:

  • /savegame/
  • /saves/
  • Root directory with a savegame folder

Look for a folder containing save files with hexadecimal names similar to what you saw locally.

Step 3: Backup Existing Server Saves

Before uploading your world, backup any existing server saves:

  1. Find existing world files in the server's save directory
  2. Rename them by adding _OLD or _BACKUP to the end
  3. This prevents accidental deletion and provides a fallback

Example: Rename 3ad85aea to 3ad85aea_OLD

Step 4: Identify Server World Slot

Enshrouded dedicated servers use specific hexadecimal filenames for world slots:

  • World Slot 1: 3ad85aea
  • World Slot 2: 3bd85c7d
  • World Slot 3: 38d857c4
  • World Slot 4: 39d85957
  • World Slot 5: 36d8549e
  • World Slot 6: 37d85631
  • World Slot 7: 34d85178
  • World Slot 8: 35d8530b
  • World Slot 9: 32d84e52
  • World Slot 10: 33d84fe5

Your server is likely configured to use World Slot 1 (3ad85aea) by default.

Step 5: Upload Your Local World Files

  1. Navigate to your local save directory in your SFTP client (left panel usually shows local files)
  2. Locate your world files (hexadecimal name plus matching _info and -index files)
  3. Drag them from the local panel to the server panel
  4. Wait for upload to complete - this may take several minutes for large worlds

Step 6: Rename Uploaded Files

Your uploaded files have their original hexadecimal names, but the server expects specific filenames. Rename your uploaded files to match World Slot 1:

Original: 38d857c4 → Rename to: 3ad85aea Original: 38d857c4_info → Rename to: 3ad85aea_info Original: 38d857c4-index → Rename to: 3ad85aea-index Original: 38d857c4_info-index → Rename to: 3ad85aea_info-index

Important: The base name must match exactly. If the server expects 3ad85aea, rename all files to use that base name while keeping suffixes intact.

Step 7: Upload Character File

Don't forget your character file:

  1. Locate characters file in your local save directory
  2. Upload it to the server's save directory
  3. This ensures your character's inventory and progression transfer

Step 8: Start Server And Test

  1. Disconnect from SFTP
  2. Start your Enshrouded server through your hosting control panel
  3. Launch Enshrouded on your PC
  4. Join your server
  5. Verify your world loaded correctly with all buildings, resources, and progress intact

Transfer Process With Pine Hosting

Pine Hosting simplifies the transfer process with an integrated SFTP launcher and user-friendly file manager.

Prerequisites

Before transferring with Pine Hosting, ensure:

  • You have an active Enshrouded server with Pine Hosting
  • Your save files are located and backed up
  • FileZilla or WinSCP is installed on your PC

Pine Hosting Transfer Steps

Step 1: Stop Your Server

Log in to your game panel and select your Enshrouded game server. Click the "Stop" button and wait for the server to fully shut down. The status indicator should show "Stopped" before proceeding.

Step 2: Launch SFTP Connection

  1. Navigate to the "Settings" tab in your server control panel
  2. Click "Launch SFTP"
  3. Your SFTP client (FileZilla or WinSCP) should automatically open and connect to your server

If it doesn't auto-launch, the panel displays connection credentials you can manually enter into your SFTP client.

Step 3: Navigate To Save Folder

Once connected, navigate through these folders:

  1. Open the Saves folder
  2. Open your active save folder (default name is save)

You'll see existing server world files here.

Step 4: Backup Existing Server Files

Right-click on existing world files and rename them by adding _OLD:

  • 3ad85aea becomes 3ad85aea_OLD
  • 3ad85aea_info becomes 3ad85aea_info_OLD
  • And so on for all related files

This preserves the original server world in case you need to revert.

Step 5: Upload Your Local Files

  1. In your SFTP client, navigate to your local save directory in the left panel
  2. Select your world files (hexadecimal name and all matching files)
  3. Drag them to the server's save folder in the right panel
  4. Include the characters file if you want to preserve your character's inventory and skills

Step 6: Rename Uploaded Files

Your uploaded files still have their original hexadecimal names. Rename them to match what the server expects:

Right-click each uploaded file and rename to match the original server filenames you backed up in Step 4. For example:

  • Your 38d857c4 becomes 3ad85aea (matching the original server world name)
  • Your 38d857c4_info becomes 3ad85aea_info
  • And so on

Important: Keep the suffixes (_info, -index, _info-index) exactly the same - only change the base hexadecimal name.

Step 7: Restart Server

  1. Disconnect from SFTP
  2. Return to your Pine Hosting control panel
  3. Click "Start" to boot up your server
  4. Wait for the server status to show "Running"

Step 8: Connect And Verify

Launch Enshrouded and connect to your server. Check that:

  • Your base and buildings are intact
  • Resources in chests are present
  • Character skills and inventory match your single-player save
  • World exploration progress (map reveals, Ancient Spire unlocks) is preserved

For detailed step-by-step instructions with screenshots, visit our knowledge base article on how to upload your existing world to your Enshrouded server.

Why Pine Hosting Makes Transfers Easier

Integrated SFTP Launcher: One click connects you to your server through your existing SFTP client. No manual credential entry required.

Clear Folder Structure: Pine Hosting organizes files logically, making it obvious where saves belong.

Expert Support: Stuck during transfer? Contact Pine Hosting support via Discord or support tickets. Our team understands Enshrouded server architecture and can guide you through any issues.

Multiplayer Configuration After Transfer

After successfully transferring your world, configure your server for multiplayer access.

Setting Up User Roles And Passwords

Dedicated servers require password protection to prevent random players from joining. Configure user roles to control who can access your server and what permissions they have.

Basic Setup: Create at least two user groups:

  • Admin Role: Full permissions for server owners
  • Player Role: Standard permissions for friends

For detailed instructions on configuring user roles with different permissions and passwords, check out our guide on how to configure user roles on your Enshrouded server.

Inviting Friends

Once your transferred world is running on the server, invite friends using these methods:

Method 1 - In-Game Browser: Friends can search for your server by name in Enshrouded's server browser. Ensure your server has a unique, identifiable name.

Method 2 - Steam Favorites: Add your server to Steam favorites using IP:Port format for quick access. Friends can do the same for easy joining.

For complete instructions on different connection methods, see our guide on how to join your Enshrouded server.

Adjusting Server Settings

Your transferred world uses whatever difficulty and gameplay settings you had in single-player. You might want to adjust these for multiplayer:

Common Multiplayer Adjustments:

  • Increase resource drop rates to accommodate more players
  • Adjust enemy spawn rates for group combat
  • Modify XP multipliers for faster progression
  • Change building restrictions for collaborative base building

For comprehensive information on all available settings and recommended configurations, visit our guide on how to configure settings on your Enshrouded server.

Ready To Move Your World To A Server?

Transferring your single-player Enshrouded world to a dedicated server unlocks the full multiplayer experience. Your friends can join anytime, performance improves for everyone, and you're no longer tied to keeping your PC running 24/7.

Check out our Enshrouded server hosting plans and start building your multiplayer world today.