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Backup Manager

Comprehensive backup system with automatic and manual backups for complete save protection.

Overview

The Backup Manager provides safety for all save file modifications through automatic and manual backup creation, with easy restore functionality.

Features:

  • Automatic backups before any modification
  • Manual backup creation with custom names
  • Browse and restore previous backups
  • Backup pruning with retention policies
  • Backup verification
  • Metadata tracking

Automatic Backups

When Created

Automatic backups are created before any changes are written by the save manager

Location: {save_file_name}.backups/ folder next to save file

Backup Naming

{save_name}_{date}_{time}_{operation}.bak

Examples:
ER0000_2026-02-15_10-30-00_fix.bak
ER0000_2026-02-15_10-35-00_character_import.bak
ER0000_2026-02-15_11-00-00_steamid_patch.bak

Metadata

Each backup includes:

  • Timestamp (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS)
  • Operation type (fix, edit, manual)
  • Description
  • File size

Manual Backups

Creating Manual Backups

  1. Load save file
  2. Go to Backup Manager tab
  3. Click Create Backup
  4. Enter optional description
  5. Backup created with timestamp

Backup List

Viewing Backups

List shows:

  • Filename
  • Creation timestamp
  • File size
  • Description
  • Operation type

Sorted by: Most recent first

Backup Information

Click any backup to view:

  • Full metadata
  • Character list with levels
  • Exact file path
  • Backup validity status

Restoring Backups

Full Restore

Replaces current save with selected backup.

Steps:

  1. Select backup from list
  2. Click Restore Backup
  3. Review what will be replaced
  4. Confirm restoration
  5. Current save backed up first
  6. Backup restored

Result: Save file replaced with backup state

Safety Features

Before restore:

  • Current save automatically backed up
  • Shows characters that will be replaced
  • Requires confirmation

After restore:

  • Validates restored file
  • Recalculates checksums if needed
  • Verifies game can load

Backup naming (safety): 

ER0000_2026-02-15_14-00-00_before_restore.bak

Storage & Organization

Backup Folder Structure

ER0000.co2.backups/
├── metadata.json
├── ER0000_2026-02-15_10-00-00_fix.bak
├── ER0000_2026-02-15_10-30-00_manual.bak
├── ER0000_2026-02-15_11-00-00_character_edit.bak
└── ...

Disk Space

  • Backups are zipped to a gz file by default to save disk space

Troubleshooting

"Backup folder not found"

Cause: Backup folder deleted or moved

Solutions:

  • Backups are lost if folder deleted
  • Create new manual backup
  • Check recycle bin

"Cannot restore backup"

Cause: Backup corrupted or incompatible

Solutions:

  • Verify backup first
  • Try different backup
  • Check file permissions
  • Restore from earlier backup

"Out of disk space"

Cause: Too many backups

Solutions:

  • Prune old backups
  • Reduce retention count
  • Move backups to external drive
  • Delete unnecessary backups

FAQ

Q: Where are backups stored?
A: In .backups folder next to save file.

Q: Can I restore from backup without the tool?
A: Yes, manually extract and copy the .backup file and rename it.

Q: Do backups include all 10 character slots?
A: Yes, complete save file backed up.

Q: Can I share backups?
A: Yes, but SteamID will need patching for other accounts.

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