Microsoft Flight Simulator FAQ

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  3. Install, Performance & Graphics

How to install a new update safely

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Outdated packages, corrupted saves or profile & peripherals settings can cause stability issues or long loading times after a new update. To minimize compatibility issues when updating Microsoft Flight Simulator, we recommend going through the checklist below before installing a new patch. After updating the sim, you can reinstall your additional content, plug-ins, and peripherals.

 

MOVE (OR RENAME) YOUR COMMUNITY FOLDER

Some packages in your community folder may not have been updated and, as a result, may have an unexpected impact on the title’s performance and behavior.

We recommend moving your community package(s) to another folder before updating Microsoft Flight Simulator.

  • Navigate to your Community Folder. 
DEFAULT INSTALLATION PATHS

Microsoft Store|Game Pass version:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community

Steam version:
AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community

Retail disc version:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\Community

CUSTOM INSTALLATION PATH

If you have installed the packages on a different drive than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.
  • Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder
  • Paste (CTRL + V) the Community Folder on your desktop or a drive of your choice

 

Alternatively, if you do not have free space on your other drives, simply rename the folder to "Test_Community" 

 

UNINSTALL FREEWARE, PAYWARE, AND UNPLUG PERIPHERALS

Add-ons and Plug-ins creators do not receive an early copy of the build. To avoid compatibility and performance issues, uninstall freeware and payware plugged into the base sim as well as the peripherals you use to play Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

  1. Undo any modification made to your config files by yourself or by a plug-in you use. 
  2. Disable or uninstall add-ins such as FSUIPC. 
  3. Remove plug-ins and software additions that allow for customization or add new functions to Microsoft Flight Simulator. (Examples: OnAir, Liveries Manager, FSEconomy, Self Loading Cargo, ATC Renamer, Splashtop, Pilot Path Recorder, Weather Force, ModManagerX, etc...)
  4. Uninstall Navigraph and use NavData Center to remove the Navigraph database
  5. Unplug non-essential peripherals. Keep a keyboard, a mouse, and a single monitor.
  6. Restore Bing Map
  7. Undo any modification made to your host file by your plug-ins
    • Use the windows search bar and search for Notepad. Right-click and select Run as Administrator.
    • In Notepad, go to File > Open and then navigate to Windows (C:), Windows, System32, drivers, etc
      and open the host file.
    • Get rid of:
      127.0.0.1 kh.ssl.ak.tiles.virtualearth.net
      127.0.0.1 khstorelive.azureedge.net
    • Save and exit

For detailed instructions follow your add-on creator's FAQ/documentation or visit the manufacturer's support site.

 

DELETE THE CONTENT.XML FILE & .DAT FILES

1. To ensure no modification made by an add-on remains, delete your content.xml file.

  • Locate the Content.xml file. Depending on your platform, this file is located by default here:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache

Steam version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator

Retail boxed version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages
  • Delete the Content.xml file

 

2. To flush outdated data, navigate to the SceneryIndexes folder and delete the .dat files. 

  • Depending on your platform, the SceneryIndexes folder is located here:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SceneryIndexes

Steam version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\SceneryIndexes

Retail boxed version
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\SceneryIndexes
  • Delete every file in this folder. 

 

UNINSTALL PAID AND FREE CONTENT FROM THE MARKETPLACE

3rd party developers do not receive an early copy of the build. To avoid compatibility and performance issues, uninstall your Marketplace purchases.

To reduce patching and loading times, uninstall your free content (World Updates, City Updates, free bundle packs such as Top Gun: Maverick, etc...) 

  • Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Go to Profile > Content Manager 
  • Select the content you want to uninstall 
  • Click Delete

Alternatively, navigate to your installation folder and delete or move the folders manually. There you can sort out packages by Name or date modified.

Example:

mceclip0.png

Once the update is complete, reinstall the content of your choice via the Content Manager. 

 

 

WINDOWS AND MICROSOFT ACCOUNT SETTINGS

Missing system updates or mismatched Windows credentials can prevent you from updating the sim.

 

SIGN IN WITH YOUR MICROSOFT ACCOUNT

To sync your settings and purchases across all your devices, sign in with your Microsoft account.

 

There is no license sharing on Microsoft Flight Simulator. Each user needs to download the app on their own windows profile and log in to their own Microsoft account|gamertag. Failure to do so can result in authentication issues/crashing issues or missing entitlements.

If you have more than one Microsoft account and/or you purchased Microsoft Flight Simulator with a different address than your main Windows 10 account, we recommend adding a Windows 10 user profile for the account used to purchase the game. 

To add or remove Windows 10 user profile on your PC, follow the steps detailed in this article: 

Add or remove accounts on your PC

 

RESTART YOUR DEVICE

As basic as this is, a simple restart can set many things right.

 

MAKE SURE THE ENGLISH (US) LANGUAGE PACK IS NOT MISSING

Microsoft Flight Simulator requires the English (United States) Language Package.

  • Go to Language Settings > Speech > Manage Voice
  • Click on Add voices
  • In the search bar type "English"
  • Install the English (United States) Language Pack

 

MAKE SURE WINDOWS IS UP TO DATE

  1. Press the Start button on the taskbar, type settings, and then select Settings.
  2. On Windows 10, select Update & Security. On Windows 11, select Windows Update.
  3. On the Windows Update page, select Check for updates to see if any updates are available for your device.
  4. Once the updates have downloaded, select Install now to start the installation.
  5. Following installation, we recommend that you restart your device so that the latest updates can take effect.

For more info, go to Windows Update

 

SYNCHRONIZE TIME SETTINGS

  • Go back to Start, then select Settings > Time & Language.
  • Select Date & Time and toggle the “Set time automatically setting" and “Set time zone automatically” to ON.
  • Click on Synchronize your clock to synchronize your system's clock with an Internet time server.
  • Then click Region, double-check that your country or region is correctly set up (for example if you live in Canada, make sure that the region isn’t automatically set to the USA or vice-versa)

 

MAKE SURE BOTH THE XBOX AND GAMING SERVICES APPS ARE UP TO DATE

  1. Press the Start button on the taskbar, type store, and open the Microsoft Store app.
  2. Select Library.
  3. Under Updates & downloads, check if there are any updates available for the Xbox app or Gaming Services app. If an update is available, select Update.

 

MAKE SURE YOU'RE SIGNED IN TO THE XBOX APP AND THE STORE WITH THE SAME ACCOUNT

To make sure your permissions for the game can be validated, be sure to sign in to both the Store and the Xbox app using the account that was used to purchase Microsoft Flight Simulator.

For help with signing in, go to: Sign in to Xbox

 

UPDATE MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR

  • Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Click Update

 

NOTE: If you have missed a few updates you will likely need to download the game from scratch. Likewise, you will have to re-download the whole game if you have moved the installation folder without updating the UserCfg file. For detailed instructions, head to "Can I choose or change the installation path? (Install on the D: drive instead of the C: drive for instance)"

 

If you're experiencing any issues after updating Microsoft Flight Simulator, visit How to restore the sim to its vanilla state

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