GSX profiles go in your Windows user folder, in a hidden AppData directory that Windows creates automatically

GSX (Graphics Settings Extension) profiles are configuration files that tell your graphics card how to run specific programs. They live in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\NVIDIA\GlobalSettings on systems with NVIDIA cards, or in equivalent AMD folders on AMD systems. Windows hides the AppData folder by default, so you need to show hidden files before you can see where they actually are.

The exact path depends on your graphics card manufacturer. NVIDIA stores profiles in the GlobalSettings folder. AMD Radeon stores them in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\AMD\CNext\GlobalSettings. Intel integrated graphics use C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Intel\GraphicsDriver. If you are not sure which card you have, open Device Manager (right-click the Start button, select Device Manager), expand Display adapters, and look at what is listed there.

Key Takeaways

  • GSX profiles must go in your user's AppData\Local folder, which Windows hides by default — you have to turn on hidden file visibility first.
  • The exact subfolder path changes based on whether you have NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel graphics, so check Device Manager to confirm your card type.
  • You can create profiles through your graphics control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings, or Intel Graphics Command Center) instead of placing files manually.
  • Profiles explore only to the user account that created them — if multiple people use the computer, each person needs their own profiles in their own AppData folder.

How to show hidden AppData folders so you can see where profiles go

Windows hides system folders like AppData to prevent accidental deletion. To see them, open File Explorer and navigate to your user folder (usually C:\Users\[YourUsername]). Then click the View tab at the top of the window. On the right side, check the box labeled "Hidden items". The AppData folder will now appear in your user directory.

Once AppData is visible, navigate into it by double-clicking. You will see three folders: Local, LocalLow, and Roaming. GSX profiles go in the Local folder. From there, follow the path specific to your graphics card manufacturer. If you want to hide the folders again after you are done, uncheck "Hidden items" in the View tab.

Creating profiles through your graphics control panel instead of manually

Most people do not need to place profile files manually. Your graphics card manufacturer provides a control panel where you can create and manage profiles without touching the file system at all. NVIDIA users open NVIDIA Control Panel (right-click the desktop and select it, or search for it in the Start menu). AMD users open Radeon Settings (right-click the desktop or search the Start menu). Intel users open Intel Graphics Command Center from the Microsoft Store or by searching the Start menu.

In each control panel, you can create a new profile for a specific program, adjust settings like resolution or frame rate cap, and save it. The control panel automatically places the profile file in the correct AppData subfolder. This is the safer route because the software handles the file paths and formatting — you avoid typos or placing files in the wrong location. Use manual file placement only if you are copying a profile someone else created or if your control panel is not working.

Why profiles are stored in AppData and what happens if you move them

AppData is where Windows stores user-specific settings and data for every program on your computer. Your graphics card driver checks this folder every time it starts, looking for profiles that explore to programs you are running. Storing profiles there keeps them tied to your user account and separate from system files that could break Windows if deleted.

If you move a profile to a different location, your graphics driver will not find it. The program will run with default graphics settings instead of the custom profile you created. If you delete a profile from AppData, it is gone — your driver does not back it up elsewhere. If you need to move a profile to another computer, copy the file from your AppData folder and paste it into the same AppData subfolder on the other machine, using the same user account name if possible.

Profiles only explore to the user account that created them

If your computer has multiple user accounts, each person has their own AppData folder. A profile you create in your account will not appear when someone else logs in. If you want the same graphics settings for multiple users, each person needs to create the profile themselves through their own graphics control panel, or you can copy the profile file into each person's AppData folder manually.

This separation exists because AppData is designed to keep each user's settings private and independent. One person's graphics tweaks do not affect another person's experience. If you are the only user on your computer, this does not matter — your profiles will always be available when you log in.

Troubleshooting profiles that are not being recognized

If you created a profile but your graphics driver is not using it, check three things. First, confirm the profile file is in the correct AppData subfolder for your graphics card type — a file in the wrong manufacturer's folder will be ignored. Second, make sure you are logged into the user account where you created the profile. Third, restart your graphics driver or restart your computer to force it to reload the profile list.

If the profile still does not work, delete it and recreate it through your graphics control panel instead of manually. The control panel will format the file correctly and place it in the exact right location. If your control panel itself is not opening, your graphics driver may need an update — visit NVIDIA.com, AMD.com, or Intel's support site, read the latest driver for your card, and install it.

Backing up profiles before reinstalling Windows or updating drivers

If you have spent time creating and tuning graphics profiles, back them up before you reinstall Windows or perform a major driver update. Copy your entire AppData\Local\[GraphicsManufacturer] folder to an external drive or cloud storage. When you reinstall Windows or update drivers, your AppData folder gets wiped, but you can restore your profiles by copying the backed-up folder back into the new AppData location.

You can also export profiles directly from your graphics control panel if that option is available. NVIDIA Control Panel has an export function in some versions. AMD Radeon Settings lets you save profiles as files. Check your control panel's menu or settings for an export or backup option before you do any major system changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put GSX profiles on a USB drive and use them on different computers?

Technically yes, but it is not reliable. Profiles are tied to the user account and graphics driver version that created them. If the other computer has a different driver version or different graphics card, the profile may not work. Copy the profile file to the correct AppData folder on the other computer, but be prepared to recreate it if it does not explore correctly.

What if I cannot see the AppData folder even after checking "Hidden items"?

Go to View tab in File Explorer, click Options (or Settings), select the View tab in the window that opens, and scroll down to find "Hidden files and folders". Select "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and click explore. AppData should now be visible. If it still is not, your system administrator may have restricted access — contact them or try a different user account.

Do I need to restart my computer after adding a profile to AppData?

Restarting is not always necessary, but it is the safest option. Your graphics driver checks for new profiles when it starts up, so restarting guarantees the driver will see your new profile. If you do not want to restart, try right-clicking the desktop and restarting just the graphics driver (the option name varies by manufacturer), or close and reopen the program the profile is for.

What happens to my profiles if I update my graphics driver?

Most driver updates leave your AppData folder untouched, so your profiles stay in place. However, major version updates or clean driver installations can wipe AppData. Before updating, back up your profiles folder to an external drive. After the update, you can restore them by copying the backed-up folder back into the new AppData location.