How to change saved games DCS folder name/location?

The FAQ says this is possible but I can't get it to work.

Can I change the catalog where user settings are held (tracks, missions, screenshots, joystick profiles, graphics, game settings)?

 

Yes, you can. Write -w key in the command-line tag and after this indicate folder name. This folder still will be in a Saved Games folder. This Saved Games folder you can transfer with the help of standard means of your OS.

http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/505/#1445917

Can someone tell me exactly what to type and does this still work? I'm not sure if it's talking about dcs.exe or dcs_updater.exe. Neither works with -w "folder name".

I want to have two separate DCS installations with different settings folders.

As an example for 1.2.16 version, you have a saved games DCS folder. If you rename it DCS1 and fly a mission you will then have 2 saved games DCS folders, a new DCS folder and a DCS1 folder. The only one that will be enabled in game will be the DCS folder so it would simply be a matter of picking the one you want to be active by renaming it before a mission. Same would apply for DCS Openbeta.

I want to have two separate DCS installations with different settings folders.

In the DCS root folder, create a text file called "dcs_variant.txt" with the one word suffix you want to use for your save folder i.e.

If "dcs_variant.txt" is

openbeta

If "dcs_variant.txt" is

test

If the save folder with the .suffix doesn't exist, it is created when DCS is run. To return to using the default "DCS" save folder, simply delete the "dcs_variant.txt" file.

If you want separate settings for the Rift and your HD Monitor, you can switch the default save folder by switching "dcs_variant.txt"

I've tested this in the Steam version of 1.5, I expect the standalone is similar but YMMV.

@Nick444

The information you are using is out of date. Ramsay's information is correct for the current version. I have six versions of DCS, each with their own Saved Games folder, using this method.

EDIT: If you have the Open Beta installed, you can see that this is how it is done for that version.

Thanks. That was easy.