Microsoft Flight Simulator FAQ

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All versions - How to maintain and update Microsoft Flight Simulator?

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To minimize issues when updating Microsoft Flight Simulator, we recommend going through the checklist below before installing a new patch.

 

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.

NOTE: If you do not have free space to move the packages, you can also temporarily rename the folder ("Community_old" for example)

  • Navigate to the Community Folder that is located by default at the following locations*:

Microsoft Store version:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages

Steam version:

AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages

Retail Disc version:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages

*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 for example.

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

 

UNINSTALL FREEWARE, PAYWARE, AND UNPLUG PERIPHERALS

Uninstall freeware and payware plugged into the base sim as well as the peripherals you use to play Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

For example:

  • Undo any modification made to your config files by yourself or by a plug-in you use. 
  • Disable or uninstall add-ins such as FSUIPC. 
  • Remove plug-ins and software additions that allow for the 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)
  • 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. 

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

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache

Steam version

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

Retail disc version:

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

 

2. To delete the .dat files, navigate to the SceneryIndexes folder.

  • Depending on your platform, this folder is located here:

Microsoft Store

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SceneryIndexes

Steam

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\SceneryIndexes

Retail disc version

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\MSFSPackages\SceneryIndexes

 

WINDOWS AND MICROSOFT ACCOUNT SETTINGS

 

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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