Alex Ruben
How To Achieve a 100% Complete Save Game in GTA 5 with All Missions Finished and a Fully Unlocked Map
If you’ve ever fiddled with cheat codes or mods, you probably already know how limiting things can be after a while. Sometimes, the grind just isn’t worth it, especially if you’re itching to jump straight into a fully unlocked, completed game. That’s why getting a complete save file can be a game-changer — saves tons of time and lets you enjoy all the crazy content without sweating through missions. This guide covers how to grab a 100% save in GTA 5, making sure the game loads with everything unlocked and done. Fair warning: some steps are a little awkward, especially navigating folders, so patience is key. And yes, backing up your original save files is strongly advised because mistakes happen, and you don’t wanna lose your hours of progress.
How to Fix GTA 5 Save Game Installation Issues
Ensure GTA 5 is fully closed before messing with save files
This isn’t just about convenience; if GTA 5 is running in the background, it might lock the save files or refuse to load the new ones. On some setups, the game keeps a lingering process or doesn’t close out all the way. So, hit Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, find the GTA 5 process, and end it. Then, double-check that it’s not running in the background—no game icons in the system tray or taskbar. That way, when you copy the save files later, there’s no conflict.
Download the save game file correctly, avoiding shady sites
Look for a trusted source that offers GTA 5 100% save files — forums, well-known modding sites, or communities like GTA Forums or NexusMods. Because of course, some weird sites are just malware traps. Once you find a good one, hit download and be ready for a ZIP or RAR file. If it’s a ZIP, just right-click and choose Extract All. If you don’t have an extraction tool like 7-Zip or WinRAR, install one, because Windows’ default extractor can be clunky sometimes.
Extract the save files and prepare for placement
After extraction, you typically get a couple of files, often named something like `savegame.#
` and maybe a config file. These are what you’ll copy into the GTA 5 save folder. Honestly, not sure why it works this way, but keep in mind: some files are hidden or require admin access. So, if you can’t see them, try enabling Hidden Items in View options in File Explorer. Also, check if the files are read-only — right-click > Properties > uncheck Read-only.
Access the GTA 5 save game directory — it’s a bit hidden
This part trips a lot of people because, well, Windows decided to hide the folder where GTA saves are stored. You need to navigate to: C:\Users\Your Username\AppData\Roaming\GTA5. If you can’t see AppData, you should enable the display of hidden folders: In File Explorer, go to View > Hidden Items. Inside the GTA5 folder, look for the Saves directory. If you don’t find it, double-check you’ve got the right location. Sometimes, people accidently place files in the wrong folder, and GTA just won’t recognize them.
Paste your save files into the proper folder — don’t forget backups
If possible, back up the current save files — just copy the entire Saves folder somewhere safe, just in case. Once backed up, delete or overwrite the existing save files in the directory. Then, paste your new, complete save files there. On some machines, this step might not work immediately; a good restart often solves that weird caching glitch. When you see your files show up in Saves, you’re good to go.
Launch GTA 5 and load the save
Start GTA 5 normally, choose Story Mode, and the game should load with everything already unlocked and completed — map, missions, characters, etc. Sometimes, if you’re quick, it may ask about overwriting current save data. Confirm with Yes, and it’ll overwrite the old profile with the new one. If nothing’s happening or if the save doesn’t load, double-check folder paths, or try re-pasting the files. Also, make sure your game is updated to the latest version for max compatibility. Because, of course, Rockstar has to make it harder than necessary.
Extra tips & troubleshooting common issues
- Verify your game client version matches the save file — mismatched versions will cause issues.
- If the save files aren’t showing up, double-check folder paths or try running the game as an administrator.
- Always back up your previous saves before replacing — recovery is a lot easier that way.
- If the save refuses to load or crashes the game, consider verifying game files via Rockstar Launcher or Steam.
Summary
- Make sure GTA 5’s fully closed before copying save files
- Use trusted sources for download, and extract files carefully
- Navigate to C:\Users\Your Username\AppData\Roaming\GTA5\Saves
- Backup original save files before overwriting
- Launch GTA 5, select Story Mode, and enjoy
Wrap-up
Installing a complete save in GTA 5 isn’t exactly a walk in the park, especially with Windows hiding folders and Rockstar’s quirks. Still, once set up, it’s totally worth it — no more grinding, just pure chaos and fun. If this gets one update working, that’s a win. Not saying it’s perfect, but hey, it can save a ton of time and frustration.