How to Back Up Sticky Notes on Windows

Backing up Sticky Notes protects reminders and information if you replace a computer, reinstall Windows, or the app’s local data becomes unavailable. Windows versions and Sticky Notes releases may store data differently, so first confirm which app you use and whether your notes are syncing. Menu names and locations can differ slightly by version.

What You’ll Need

A Windows computer with Sticky Notes installed.
Access to the Windows account that contains the notes. If you plan to use sync, you may need the Microsoft account used in Sticky Notes.
A separate storage location, such as an external drive or a folder protected by your normal backup system. Avoid keeping the only backup on the same drive as the notes.
For a manual backup, the ability to show hidden files in File Explorer. The relevant folder is hidden by default.

Step-by-Step

Identify your Sticky Notes app. Open the app and check its name and appearance. The current Windows Sticky Notes app stores notes differently from the older Sticky Notes program included with some Windows installations. If you use the current app, proceed with the database-copy method below. If you use an older version, see the troubleshooting section rather than assuming the same file path applies.
Check whether notes are syncing. In Sticky Notes, open Settings and look for an account or sync option; its wording and availability vary by version. Sign in with the account associated with your notes if you want cloud syncing. Open Sticky Notes on another device or check the service’s supported notes view to confirm the notes appear there. Seeing a sign-in screen alone does not prove that every note has finished syncing.
Close Sticky Notes completely. Save or finish any edits, then close the app. If it remains open in the background, use Windows Task Manager to check whether Sticky Notes is still running and end that app task if necessary. Copying a database while it is being written can produce an incomplete or unusable backup.
Open the app’s local data folder. In File Explorer, select the address bar, enter %LocalAppData%\Packages, and press Enter. Find the folder whose name begins with Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_. Open it, then open LocalState. In the current app, the notes database is commonly named plum.sqlite. If you do not see that folder or file, do not copy a similarly named file at random; the app version or installation may use a different storage location.
Copy the database, not move it. Copy plum.sqlite and, if present, its associated files with the same base name, such as plum.sqlite-wal or plum.sqlite-shm. Paste the copies into a clearly named backup folder on your external drive or other separate storage. Never move or delete the originals as part of making a backup.
Keep a dated, separate copy. Give the backup a useful folder name that identifies the computer and date, then use your regular file backup process to protect that folder too. If you use cloud sync, treat it as an additional recovery option, not necessarily as a substitute for a separate copy: deletions or unwanted edits may sync as well.
Verify the backup. Check that the copied file exists and has a plausible, nonzero size. Keep the backup untouched while you verify it. For stronger confirmation, use a test Windows account or another computer with Sticky Notes installed and follow the restore steps below using a duplicate of the backup, not your sole copy.
Restore only when needed. Close Sticky Notes completely. Open the same LocalState folder and first copy its current database files to a different safe folder. Replace the current database with the backup copy, keeping the database and any matching sidecar files together. Reopen Sticky Notes and check several notes. This restores the state captured in the backup; notes created or edited afterward may not be included.

Common Mistakes

Copying while the app is open: The database can be changing during the copy. Close Sticky Notes first, including any background process you can identify.
Backing up the wrong folder: The app’s package folder has a long name, and an older Sticky Notes version may store data elsewhere. Confirm the folder begins with the current app’s package name and contains LocalState.
Assuming sync is a backup: Sync helps make notes available across supported devices, but a deletion or mistaken change can also propagate. Keep an independent copy for recovery.
Restoring only part of the database: Replacing the main database while leaving conflicting sidecar files can cause problems. Close the app and copy or restore matching database files together.
Overwriting the only current copy: A restore can replace newer notes with an older snapshot. Save the current database files before restoring so you can reverse the change if needed.

Tips

Make a fresh copy after important changes, and use a regular computer backup to protect the folder automatically if available.
Keep at least one backup separate from the computer. A copy stored only on the same device may be lost if that device fails.
Label backups clearly and preserve an older copy until you know the newer one opens correctly.
If you use sync, confirm notes on another supported device before changing computers or resetting Windows. Make sure you are using the same account.
Notes can contain private information. Protect the drive or backup folder with the security measures available on your device, and do not share the database casually.

Troubleshooting

The package folder is missing: Confirm that you are signed in to the Windows profile that has the notes and that the current Sticky Notes app is installed. In File Explorer, enter the path directly rather than browsing from the drive root. If you use an older app, its storage location may differ; look for version-specific Microsoft Support instructions before copying or restoring files.

The database file is not visible: Make sure the app is closed and you are in the package folder’s LocalState subfolder. Turn on hidden items in File Explorer if needed. Do not create a replacement database file or rename unrelated files.

Notes do not appear after restoring: Close the app and check that the backup came from the same Windows user and compatible Sticky Notes app. Restore the original current files you saved before the attempt if the result is worse. If sync is enabled, allow the app to connect and check the correct account; be cautious about replacing local data when cloud and local notes differ.

Sync is unavailable or incomplete: Check that you are signed in to the intended account and that the device has an internet connection. Look for a sync control in the app’s settings, but remember that features and labels vary. Use a local file copy as a fallback when the option is absent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Sticky Notes stored on Windows?

The current Windows app commonly stores its database in a package folder under %LocalAppData%\Packages, inside LocalState. The database is often named plum.sqlite; older versions may use a different location.

Can I back up Sticky Notes without signing in?

Yes. A manual copy of the local database does not require a Microsoft account. Close the app before copying and save the file somewhere separate from the computer.

Does signing in automatically protect every note?

Not necessarily. Sync availability and behavior depend on the app version and account setup. Confirm that your notes appear on another supported device, and keep an independent backup for important information.

Can I open the database file to read my notes?

The database is not a normal text document, so opening it in a text editor may show unreadable content or damage the file if you edit it. Use Sticky Notes to view notes and copy the database only as a backup.

Can I move my notes to a new Windows computer?

First try signing in with the same account and confirming that syncing is complete. If you use a manual database restore, close the app on the new computer, preserve its existing files, and use a compatible app version.

How often should I back up my notes?

Make a fresh copy whenever the notes change in a way you would not want to lose, or include the data folder in a routine computer backup. Keep earlier copies until the latest backup has been verified.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.