After factory reset of Windows 10 on Alienware, MSFS had to be installed completely despite verified files

User Support Hub Install, Performance & Graphics
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Windows 10 on my Alienware 17 R4 laptop had become sluggish so I factory reset the computer.

MSFS and about ten other games were on two separate NVMe SSDs.

After reinstalling Windows 10, I was able to verify every single game on the computer with previously downloaded files and they all ran perfectly without any further downloads - except for MSFS!

Steam actually verified MSFS files as well successfully, yet I had to download 132 GB of data, that took an entire day (today!) Despite a 40 Mbps connection downlaoding at a consistent 36 Mbps.

After this download, the next nightmare awaiting was every single world update!

I am seeking advice here:

  1. Why did MSFS had to download the entire sim again despite Steam verification of the earlier downloaded files?

  2. Is there a way this can be avoided in future?

Any general advice in this lieu would be immensely appreciated.

Thank you.

2

This is known about Steam and MSFS.

There is a wish regarding this:

See also the FAQ:

1 Like
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The first link isn’t relevant as it didn’t delete anything, only added again everything in the Official folder.

The second link gave me horripilation as I had copied out the Community folder but then copied it back in before this reinstall and verification of the entire software occurred without caveat.

I will check right now if it’s there or gone.

4

Old steam bug - older than X-Plane, P3D, MSFS. They still dont know how to fix it.

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/new-ssd-m-2-nvme/570593/4

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Thanks for the kind assistance.

I have learned the hard way that MSFS needs to be instslled afresh after a Windows reinstall or a drive change.

And we are talking about around 300 GB or more data here. Anyone on a metered connection would be doomed.