Rockstar Games has made a change to the PC version of GTA IV. They will stop the automatic save migration from Games for Windows – Live (GFWL) within the Rockstar Games Launcher. This decision ends a feature that allowed players to easily transfer their old save files from the now-unused GFWL service. The change will happen in two stages. The first phase is already in progress, and full removal is set for mid-September.
As of Monday, August 25, the option to scan for GFWL-era save files is no longer available in the Rockstar Games Launcher settings. The final phase will take place on September 16, when the automatic scanner will be completely removed. Rockstar has not given an official reason for this change, but it likely comes from a need to simplify the launcher and get rid of features that fewer players use. Interest in GFWL-era save migration has probably declined enough that ongoing support is not a priority.
It’s important for players to know that they can still manually migrate save data. The article provides a clear, step-by-step process for players to transfer their save files directly. This method involves finding the old save files in the %LOCALAPPDATA%\Rockstar Games\GTA IV or %USERPROFILE%\Documents\Rockstar Games\GTA IV folders and copying them to the corresponding Rockstar Games Launcher save file directory.
This change ensures that players can still access their progress and helps Rockstar manage its platform more effectively. The developer has not suggested any plans to remove the manual migration option soon, which offers a reliable way for players to retrieve their old saves. This action aligns with the trend of developers consolidating services and retiring outdated features to support a more modern ecosystem.
