The game changed significantly between V1.10 and V1.14. Running a character made in a modded 1.10 environment on a stock 1.14d installation often results in crashes.
Always scan with VirusTotal. A .d2s file cannot contain a virus, but a ZIP or archive might.
For older versions of the game, Blizzard stored save files directly inside the game installation directory. C:\Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\Save\ Modern Patches (1.14a to 1.14d)
If you were playing on a version older than 1.14 (e.g., 1.13c or older), your files are likely located in: C:\Program Files (x86)\Diablo II\save Patching Your Game and Migrating Saves (Step-by-Step) diablo 2 lod character save files patched
Open the D2R folder: C:\Users\[Username]\Saved Games\Diablo II Resurrected\ .
The release of Diablo 2: Resurrected (D2R) and the rise of community source ports introduced new variables to save file integrity. Direct Migration to D2R
D2R will read your .../Saved Games/Diablo II folder and convert your legacy characters to the new engine. The game changed significantly between V1
Because the data format relies heavily on fixed byte offsets and internal item ID indices, any change to the underlying game database via a patch can cause the game to misinterpret your character data. How Official Patches Impact Save Files
This creates a fascinating archaeological record within the file bytes:
To avoid data corruption, use an older installation or a version-switching tool to load the character sequentially: Load the character once in . Save and exit. The release of Diablo 2: Resurrected (D2R) and
Single-player character save files in Diablo II: Lord of Destruction
If the editor successfully reads the file, clear the character's inventory, stash, and equipped gear.
One of the most significant "patches" to how Diablo II handles character data occurred with version 1.14. This update changed the default storage location to comply with modern Windows user permissions.
These store your explored map data. If you delete these, your character will still load, but your mini-map will be blank.