How to install a new update safely

To ensure a smooth update of Microsoft Flight Simulator, it is crucial to check for outdated packages, corrupted saves, and profile/peripherals settings that may cause compatibility issues, leading to unstable performance and long loading times. We strongly recommend you follow the checklist below before installing a new patch and reinstall any additional content, plug-ins, or peripherals after installing the update to minimize any complications.

MOVE (OR RENAME) YOUR COMMUNITY FOLDER

Before updating Microsoft Flight Simulator, move your community package(s) to another folder or drive. If you do not have free space on your other drives, you can rename the folder to "Test_Community" instead. 

• Depending on your platform, navigate to your Community Folder. By default, you'll find this folder at the following locations*: 
  • 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
• Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder
• Paste (CTRL + V) the Community Folder on your desktop or a drive of your choice

*If you have installed the packages on a different drive than C: you'll need to look inside your custom installation folder instead.

UNINSTALL FREEWARE,PAYWARE, AND UNPLUG PERIPHERALS

To prevent compatibility and performance issues, uninstall any freeware or payware add-ons and plug-ins, as well as peripherals used to play Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

• Undo any modifications made to your config files, whether by you or a plugin you're using.
• Disable or uninstall add-ins such as FSUIPC.
• Remove plug-ins and software additions that allow for customization or add new functions to Microsoft Flight Simulator, such as:

• • • OnAir, Liveries Manager
    • FSEconomy
    • Self Loading Cargo
    • ATC Renamer
    • Splashtop
    • Pilot Path Recorder
    • Weather Force
    • ModManagerX,
    • etc...
• Uninstall Navigraph and use NavData Center to remove the Navigraph database
• Unplug non-essential peripherals. Keep a keyboard, a mouse, and a single monitor.
• Restore Bing Map and 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

*If you need detailed instructions, follow your add-on creator's FAQ/documentation or visit the manufacturer's support site.

RESTORE ESSENTIAL FILES TO THEIR DEFAULT STATE

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

• Close Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Depending on your platform, navigate to: 
  • Microsoft Store 
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache
  • Steam
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator
  • Retail disc
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages
• Delete the file 'Content.xml'
• Relaunch Microsoft Flight Simulator

 

2. Delete every .dat files in the SceneryIndexes folder to flush outdated data.

• Close Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Depending on your platform, navigate to: 
  • Microsoft Store 
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SceneryIndexes
  • Steam
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\SceneryIndexes
  • Retail disc
    • C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\SceneryIndexes
• Delete every ".dat files" 

UNINSTALL PAID AND FREE CONTENT FROM THE MARKETPLACE

• To avoid compatibility and performance issues, uninstall Marketplace purchases developed by 3rd party developers.
• Uninstall your free content (World Updates, City Updates, free bundle packs, etc.) to reduce patching and loading times. 
  • • Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator
    • Go to Profile > Content Manager 
    • Select the content you want to uninstall 
    • Click Delete

Once the update is complete, you can 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

Sign in with your Microsoft account to sync your settings and purchases across all your devices.

• Learn how to sign in with your Microsoft account on your Windows 11 device
• Learn how to sign in with your Microsoft account on your Windows 10 device

Microsoft Flight Simulator does not allow license sharing. Each user must download the app on their own Windows profile and login with their own Microsoft account or gamertag to avoid problems with authentication, crashing, or missing entitlements.

If you have more than one Microsoft account and/or 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 a 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