BAT FILE FIX WORKED FOR ME:
I couldn’t find the saved file anywhere – spent hours looking through my C and D drives.
Uninstalled, re-installed til my eyes bled
I am sooo non-techy, and had no idea what to do with this https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/The_Outer_Worlds#Game_data
So, seeing several people had success with the .bat file thing, I did this:
I reinstalled making sure the game went into the Epic Games folder (no idea if that helped).
Then I took a HUGE leap of faith and went to Point 11, Bat File Saved Game Folder and followed OPTION 2. I just downloaded, double clicked – done.
Launched my game and OMG I could Save and Load finally!!
I’m not recommending anything, I don’t know enough to do that, I’m just reporting what worked for me after days of frustrating struggles.