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How to restore the sim to its vanilla state to get back in game

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Restoring the sim to its vanilla state is essential when investigating and troubleshooting a wide range of technical and compatibility issues. Always start by restoring the sim to its vanilla state and test if the issue persists or not. 

 

1. MOVE (OR RENAME) THE COMMUNITY FOLDER

To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by mods, move or rename the community folder.

  • Some mods may have become obsolete
  • Some mods are resource hogs
  • Some mods are not optimized
  • Some mods may contain malware or virus

 

1. 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.

2. Copy-cut (CTRL + X) the Community Folder

3. 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" 

 

2. UNINSTALL FREEWARE, PAYWARE, AND PERIPHERALS

To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by a plug-in, add-on, add-in, or peripherals, uninstall freeware and payware plugged into the base sim as well as the peripherals you use to play Microsoft Flight Simulator. 

  • Running freeware and payware alongside the sim consumes a lot of resources
  • Some plug-ins modify config files without your knowledge/consent 
  • Some freeware or payware content may become unstable or stop working over time
  • The more peripherals are plugged into your system, the more energy they consume and require 
  • Some drivers may have become obsolete or corrupted
  • Some config files may have become obsolete or corrupted

 

  1. Start by undoing any modification made to your config files by yourself or by a plug-in you use. 
  2. Then Disable or uninstall add-ins such as FSUIPC. 
  3. Next, 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 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 lines such as
      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.

 

3. DELETE THE CONTENT.XML FILE & .DAT FILES

To debug conflicts, restore some essential files.

  • Some add-ons may have overwritten stock data
  • Some add-ons may prevent stock data to appear in-game 

 

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. 

 

4. UNINSTALL PAID AND FREE CONTENT FROM THE MARKETPLACE

To test for compatibility and performance issues, uninstall your Marketplace purchases.

  • Paid content might become obsolete 
  • Additional content might not be optimized

 

IF YOU CAN LAUNCH THE SIM

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

 

IF YOU CAN'T LAUNCH THE SIM

  • Go to your 'Official' folder 

DEFAULT INSTALLATION PATHS

Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Official\OneStore

Steam version
C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Official\Steam

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

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.
  • Search for 3rd party packages (example: carenado-aircraft-wymf5, aerosoft-paderborn etc...)
  • Delete the package folders 

 

5. DELETE THE ROLLING CACHE

To eliminate the possibility that the issue is caused by data corruption or outdated data, delete the rolling cache.

  • Some cached data may be obsolete or conflicting with more recent data
  • Some cached data may be corrupted

 

IF YOU CAN LAUNCH THE SIM

  • Go to Options > General
  • Go to Data
  • Scroll to the bottom and go to Delete Rolling Cache File. Toggle Delete
  • Confirm your choice by selecting Apply & Save

 

IF YOU CAN'T LAUNCH THE SIM

  • Delete the ROLLINGCACHE.CCC file that is located by default here:
Microsoft Store/Game Pass version
C:\Users\your_username\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache

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

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

 

6. TRY AGAIN

Once you have performed every step above, and the sim is restored to its vanilla mode, try again. We recommend launching a flight or two. You must try to reproduce the conditions in which you experienced the issue before. 

 

OUTCOME #1. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS IN VANILLA STATE

If the issue persists in vanilla mode, visit our knowledge base, search the Bugs & Issues forum, and visit the knowledge base to find solutions to common issues.

  • If the issue has been reported in the forums already, simply add your vote. This allows the team to track how many unique users are impacted.
  • If the issue hasn't been reported yet create your own topic by following this template. This is important to know how many pilots are experiencing the same issue.
  • Contact the support team. They will gather more information about the issue. We recommend adding attaching screenshots and videos.

 

OUTCOME #2. THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS IN VANILLA STATE

 If the sim is stable in vanilla mode, reinstall your mods and plug-ins one by one to 

  1. Plug your peripherals and launch the sim.
  2. If the sim starts normally with the peripherals, close the sim then reinstall your Community folder.
  3. If the sim starts normally with the peripherals + community folder, reinstall your plug-ins and add-ons. 
  4. If the sim starts normally with the peripherals + community folder + plug-ins|add-ons, redownload your marketplace content via the content manager.

 

If the sim starts crashing or behaving abnormally after reinstalling the mods and plug-ins, you'll need to investigate which third-party element is not compatible anymore with the base sim.

Repeat steps 1 to 3 then reinstall your mods and plug-ins one by one.

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