If you’ve recently started exploring Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and want to back up your save files, tweak configuration settings, or skip the Paradox Games Launcher for faster startup — this detailed guide will walk you through everything.

We’ll cover:

• Where to find save game files and config files on your Windows PC.
• How to launch the game without the Paradox Launcher safely and efficiently.

Let’s start with locating your game saves and configuration files.

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1. Finding Save Game Files on Windows

Before editing or backing up your files, it’s essential to know where Bloodlines 2 stores its saves. Windows hides these directories by default, so we’ll reveal them step by step.

Steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to This PC → Local Disk (C:).
3. Open the Users folder.
4. Open your Windows username folder.
5. Locate the AppData folder.
   • If you don’t see it, click View → Show → Hidden items to unhide it.
6. Now open the following path: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Bloodlines2\Steam\Saved\SaveGames
7. Inside this folder, you’ll find your save game files.

These files represent your in-game progress. You can safely back them up to another drive or cloud storage to avoid losing your progress if you reinstall the game or Windows.

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2. Finding the Config Files

Configuration files store important settings such as graphics preferences, key bindings, and screen mode. They are also useful when troubleshooting or restoring default options.

Steps:

1. From the same directory as above, go back one folder (to Saved).
2. Open the folder named Config.
3. Inside, you’ll see a subfolder named Windows. C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Bloodlines2\Saved\Config\Windows
4. Here you’ll find all the configuration (.ini) files that define how the game behaves.

You can open these files using Notepad to adjust settings such as window mode, resolution, or FPS caps.

💡 Tip: If the game ever crashes after changing something here, just delete the modified config files. The game will recreate them the next time it starts.

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3. How to Skip or Bypass the Paradox Games Launcher

Many players prefer to skip the Paradox Launcher for a quicker and more stable startup experience. The launcher sometimes causes unnecessary delays or even startup errors.

So, let’s go through two methods to launch Bloodlines 2 directly from Steam or the installation folder without the Paradox Launcher.

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Method 1: Using Steam Launch Options

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.
2. Right-click Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 → Properties.
3. Under the General tab, look for Launch Options.
4. Now, you’ll need the exact file path for your game’s executable.
   • To find it, click Manage → Browse local files.
   • You’ll land inside the installation directory (usually something like): C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Bloodlines2
   • Open the Binaries → Win64 folder.
   • Copy the full path from the address bar.
5. Next, note the name of your game’s .exe file (e.g., Bloodlines2-Win64-Shipping.exe).
6. Now combine the path and filename, enclosing it in quotes: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Bloodlines2\Binaries\Win64\Bloodlines2-Win64-Shipping.exe" %command%
7. Paste this exact line into Launch Options in Steam.
8. Close the window and launch the game.

Now, your game will skip the Paradox Launcher and start directly from Steam.

⚙️ Explanation:
The %command% part ensures that Steam still tracks playtime and overlays properly, even when bypassing the launcher.

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Method 2: Launching Directly from the Game Folder

If you prefer not to modify launch options, you can simply run the game executable directly.

1. Open Steam → right-click the game → Manage → Browse local files.
2. In the opened folder, double-click the .exe file to run the game directly.
   • Example: Bloodlines2\Binaries\Win64\Bloodlines2-Win64-Shipping.exe
3. The game will start immediately — no launcher involved.

If you prefer, you can even create a desktop shortcut:

• Right-click the .exe file → Send to → Desktop (create shortcut).
• Double-click the shortcut anytime you want to skip the launcher.

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Optional: Using Both Executables

Some players notice two .exe files in the Bloodlines 2 folder.
You can repeat the same process for both files if one doesn’t launch correctly.
Try both paths in the Steam Launch Options — one will work smoothly.

Example path for the secondary .exe:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Bloodlines2\Bloodlines2.exe" %command%

After saving the settings, start the game and confirm whether the launcher is skipped successfully.

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4. Why Skipping the Launcher Helps

Let’s pause for a moment and understand why bypassing the Paradox Launcher is beneficial:

• Faster Startup: The launcher adds an extra loading step before the game begins.
• Fewer Errors: Some “Unreal process crashed” or “LowLevelFatalError” messages are linked to launcher startup conflicts.
• Offline Convenience: You can play directly without needing to sign in to a Paradox account.
• Smoother Updates: Steam handles updates automatically, even if the launcher is skipped.

Essentially, you’re streamlining how the game boots without breaking any functionality.

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5. Backing Up and Restoring Save Files

Now that you know the location of your save files, it’s wise to keep a backup.

To back up:

1. Copy the folder: C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Bloodlines2\Steam\Saved\SaveGames
2. Paste it into a safe location such as:
   • Another drive (D: or E:)
   • External hard drive or USB
   • Cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, etc.)

To restore:

• Simply copy your backup folder back into the same directory if you reinstall Windows or the game.

This method ensures you never lose your in-game progress, even during updates or reinstalls.

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6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I edit the config files to improve performance?
Yes, you can tweak the .ini files in the Config folder to adjust graphics settings like resolution, shadows, or post-processing. However, make sure to back them up before editing.

Q2. Will skipping the Paradox Launcher affect achievements or saves?
No, it won’t. Steam will still record your achievements and sync save files as usual.

Q3. My game crashes even after skipping the launcher — what should I do?
Try verifying your game files in Steam:

• Right-click the game → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
  This will fix missing or corrupted files.

Q4. Why is my AppData folder missing?
It’s hidden by default. Enable Hidden items under the View menu in File Explorer.

Q5. Is it safe to delete the Config folder?
Yes. The game will recreate it the next time it runs, restoring default settings.

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7. Troubleshooting Tips

If you encounter any errors after these steps:

• Restart Steam and your PC.
• Run Steam as Administrator.
• Ensure your GPU drivers are updated from NVIDIA or AMD.
• Temporarily disable antivirus or add the game folder as an exception.

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Final Thoughts

Finding your save and config files is essential for advanced users who like to customize or protect their progress. And skipping the Paradox Launcher gives you a smoother, cleaner startup experience with fewer crashes and faster load times.

So whether you’re editing .ini files to optimize performance or backing up your hard-earned vampire progress, following the above steps ensures you have full control over your game setup.

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Disclaimer:
Editing or deleting configuration files can reset game settings. Always back up your save and config folders before making changes. The launcher skip method is safe and supported through Steam’s native launch command system.

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Jonathan Reed

Jonathan is a US-based gaming journalist with more than 10 years in the industry. He has written for online magazines and covered topics ranging from PC performance benchmarks to emulator testing. His expertise lies in connecting hardware reviews with real gaming performance, helping readers choose the best setups for play.

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