How to transfer your game from PC Game Pass to Steam step by step

Step-by-step guide to move your progress without losing anything between Xbox PC and Steam.

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Moving a Forza Horizon 5 game between platforms is not something Xbox officially allows, despite both releases sharing the same game version. Fortunately, the community has found a fully functional way using GPSaveConverter, a free tool that converts save files between editions.

This process only affects your progress, not the game’s functionality, and does not pose a risk of ban according to users who have been using it for years. However, it must be done following the exact steps. In this case, we will focus on Forza Horizon 5, but it can be done with other games.

Before starting: what you need to know

• It works for Forza Horizon 5 between PC Game Pass ↔ Steam.

• It does not move custom designs or tunes.

• You need to install both versions of the game.

• Always make a backup before modifying any files.

How to transfer your game from PC Game Pass to Steam

Follow these steps exactly:

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1. Install both versions of the game and run them once

It is necessary for Windows to create the save folders for both editions:

• Start FH5 on PC Game Pass and close the game.

• Start FH5 on Steam and close the game.

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2. Download GPSaveConverter

• You can get the tool here: From here
• Run the application and select Forza Horizon 5 in the side panel.

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3. Locate the save folders

Steam Save

By default, they are in:

• C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/userdata/YOUR_STEAM_ID/1551360/

In GPSaveConverter, click:

• Explore non-Xbox files

and make sure the correct folder appears.

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4. Extract the two important files from the Game Pass save

In the Xbox Save Files tab, look for files with these names:

• ProfileData

• VersionFlags

Click on both the downward arrow icon (⌄) to copy them to the Steam directory.

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5. Rename the files to the format used by Steam

In the folder that has been opened by exploring the files, you will see something like:

• user_${Xbox_ID}.ProfileData
user_${Xbox_ID}.VersionFlags

You must rename them following this pattern:

• User_YOUR_STEAM_ID.ProfileData
User_YOUR_STEAM_ID.VersionFlags

Make sure the names match exactly with the original Steam files you saved as a backup.

6. Start Forza Horizon 5 on Steam

If everything is correct:

• Your progress will appear when you click “Continue”.

• Steam will synchronize your progress automatically.

• Many users receive all pending achievements instantly.

What is transferred and what is not (in this case, Forza Horizon 5)

Element	Is it transferred?
General progress	Yes
CR money	Yes
Cars and unlocks	Yes
Houses	Yes
Accolades	Yes
Pending achievements	Yes, they are unlocked when entering
Custom tunes	❌ No
Community designs	❌ No
Graphics settings	❌ No

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Is this method safe?

The community has been using it since 2023 without a single known case of sanction.
However:

• Do not modify save file values.

• Do not edit files other than ProfileData and VersionFlags.

• Do not use external tools that alter progress.

Does this method work for other games?

In general, yes, but it depends on the game. GPSaveConverter works because Forza Horizon 5 uses a compatible save format between Windows Store and Steam. Other Xbox Games Studios titles may work similarly if:

• They save data in independent files within accessible folders.

• They do not use proprietary encryption or exclusive cloud synchronization.

• There are community tools that allow converting the format.

The most common cases where it works are games with external saves like:

• Forza Horizon 4

• State of Decay 2

• Grounded

• Hellblade

• Ori and the Will of the Wisps

On the other hand, games that rely on encrypted saves or server synchronization (such as multiplayer shooters or titles with online economies) do not allow this method because progress is tied to the game account, not the local file.