Verno wrote on Nov 22, 2011, 08:49:
Just copy your User folder or use Windows Easy Transfer to automate it, it removes a lot of the headaches involved. Steam Cloud isn't perfect, it frequently loses my CS config settings with no rhyme or reason. I went back to play Portal 2 a few weeks ago and my saves were gone as well.
But many games store saved data in ProgramData, which is a hidden folder on your OS drive. And if you don't backup all the correct folders for GFWL then the saved files won't work. It is also counter-productive to a clean install, as you either have to manually select what you want or end up with lots of files that you don't want and that might cause you problems.
It would be MUCH easier if all games installed their saved content in the game's directory, especially for Steam. If not then in Documents/My Games.
As for Steam Cloud - I haven't had any issues so far, though I certainly would be annoyed if I lost my saved data because of it. But my experience with games like Oblivion and Plants Vs Zombies has been very positive, as I simply install on another computer and I'm back where I left off.
"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."