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Backups and world reset

Where are saves stored?​

Games are saved in the server's data folder (UserDataFolder). On a Linux server, this is .local/share/7DaysToDie/ by default:

.local/share/7DaysToDie/
├── GeneratedWorlds/            ← RWG worlds generated by the server
└── Saves/
    ├── serveradmin.xml         ← admins, bans, whitelist
    └── <WorldName>/
        └── <GameName>/         ← the game: buildings, players, progress
            └── Player/         ← player data
  • <WorldName> is the world in use: Navezgane, the name of your pregenerated map, or the automatically generated name of an RWG world
  • <GameName> is the GameName property of serverconfig.xml
  • The .local folder is hidden: enable hidden files in the file manager
  • If UserDataFolder is set in serverconfig.xml, saves are stored in that folder instead

Making a backup​

From the panel​

The Backups tab of the Game Panel (game.yorkhost.fr) lets you create a server backup and restore it. Create one before any risky operation:

  • installing or removing a mod or an overhaul
  • updating or changing the game version
  • changing the map or resetting the world

Before backing up​

For a consistent backup, type saveworld in the Console to force the world to be written, or better, stop the server before backing up.

Keeping a copy off the server​

Regularly download your game folder (Saves/<WorldName>/<GameName>/), along with serverconfig.xml and Saves/serveradmin.xml, through the file manager or over SFTP (credentials in Settings → SFTP Details).

Restoring a backup​

  1. Stop the server
  2. Restore the backup from the Backups tab, or replace the Saves/<WorldName>/<GameName>/ folder with your copy
  3. Check that GameWorld and GameName in serverconfig.xml match the restored save
  4. Start the server

Reset the world​

To start from scratch (wipe), there are two methods:

Soft method: change the GameName​

Simply change GameName in serverconfig.xml, for example from Season1 to Season2. The server creates a new game on the same world, and the old save stays untouched on disk: you can go back to it by restoring the old name.

Full method: delete the save​

  1. Stop the server and make a backup
  2. Delete the Saves/<WorldName>/<GameName>/ folder
  3. For an RWG world you want to regenerate identically, also delete its folder in GeneratedWorlds/. To get a different world, change WorldGenSeed instead
  4. Start the server
Do not delete the whole Saves folder

Saves/serveradmin.xml holds your admins, bans and whitelist. Only delete the game folder, not the entire Saves/ folder.

What about player characters?

Player data (inventory, level, skills) is stored in the server save (Player/). Resetting the world therefore also resets players.

Changing the game version​

7 Days to Die regularly releases major updates, sometimes first on an experimental Steam branch. A few rules:

  • The server and players must be on the same version. If you change the server version, your players must select the same branch in the game's Steam properties (Betas tab).
  • A major update often requires a new world. Saves from a previous major version are generally not compatible.
  • Mods and overhauls must follow. Check their compatibility before updating.

If your server's Startup tab offers a branch or version setting, change it with the server stopped, then run the install or update as offered by the panel. Otherwise, or if in doubt, contact support before changing version.

Back up before any update

An update can replace game files, including serverconfig.xml and the content of Data/. Download your configuration, your custom maps and your save before updating.

See also​