When a Stardew Valley farm disappears from the Load menu, preserve what is on disk before trying to fix it. Starting over or renaming files without a copy can remove useful recovery evidence. This guide explains the Windows location and the file distinctions described by ConcernedApe; it cannot guarantee recovery of damaged data.

External community download: Use the source link below to obtain the author’s file. SaveGamesDL does not host this file and has not tested it in-game.

Community save download

100 Save File Up To 1.5.6 — hosted on Nexus Mods. The listing explicitly refers to progress through version 1.5.6. Do not interpret its completion claim as proof of completing later updates or of compatibility with your mod setup.

View download on Nexus Mods

This opens the original download page, not an instant download from SaveGamesDL. Follow the host’s sign-in and download prompts. Completion labels belong to the uploader; we have not independently verified completion, compatibility or file safety. Preserve your own saves before importing anything.

Find the farm save folder

The developer’s troubleshooting guide identifies this Windows directory: 1

%APPDATA%\StardewValley\Saves

Inside it, look for the folder associated with the intended character or farm. The name normally combines a character name and an identifier. Confirm the Windows account and record the folder name, file sizes and modification dates before changing anything.

Copy the complete farm directory to a separate location. Keep one copy untouched and a second copy for inspection. Do not attempt recovery on your only remaining version of a farm.

Understand SaveGameInfo and the main save

ConcernedApe distinguishes the main save file, which has the same name as its directory, from SaveGameInfo, which is used for the Load menu. Finding SaveGameInfo alone therefore does not prove that the complete farm data is present. The guide also describes files ending in _old as previous versions. 1

Keep files belonging to the same farm together. Do not pair the main save from one farm with metadata from another merely because the menu display looks similar. Accurate filenames matter more than an archive’s friendly title.

Prepare before using an older backup

  1. Close the game and preserve the full existing directory in an untouched backup.
  2. Record whether the main save, SaveGameInfo and related _old files are present.
  3. Use a separate working copy for inspection and any proposed renaming.
  4. Read the official recovery instructions for the matching situation before applying a change.
  5. Be prepared for earlier progress: the developer’s previous-save recovery method can return you to the preceding in-game day.
  6. After a successful load, check the farm name, date, inventory and expected progress, then save and reload before retiring the backup.

Do not rename several unrelated files at once. Keep a record of the exact change so you can undo it or explain it clearly when asking for support.

A transfer is not the same as a repair

Transferring a healthy farm aims to preserve its complete directory and environment. Repairing a missing or corrupt save aims to identify an intact data set or recoverable earlier version. These are different tasks, even when both begin with a backup.

When moving a farm, record the game build and mod requirements and verify the destination’s active save folder. When diagnosing a damaged save, preserve the original files and avoid claiming success merely because the farm reappears in the menu.

Decide what counts as recovery

A useful recovery result includes a successful load, recognizable farm progress and a successful save-and-reload test. Note any rollback in days or missing progress. Do not describe a file as “fully restored” when you have checked only its name or thumbnail. If the official steps do not match your files, keep the backup and seek guidance rather than improvising destructive edits.

Frequently asked questions

Is SaveGameInfo the whole farm?

No. The developer distinguishes it from the main save data. Keep the full farm directory when making a backup.

Will using _old files preserve the latest day?

Not necessarily. The documented previous-save method may roll progress back. Preserve the current files before attempting it.

Sources and scope

Reference paths and features can vary by edition, storefront and system configuration. The backup and testing checklists are SaveGamesDL editorial guidance; no downloadable save was tested for this article.

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