BEWARE! iObit Advanced SystemCare software - it destroys your MSFS installation

[TheAviator3506]

I have tried ASC from iOrbit within the last eight days and noted it has a registry cleaner. I might occasionally use a tool like this to diagnose a problem however, I noted that if I run the registry cleaner that it would remove a crucial registry entry on my ‘C’ drive related to MSFS 2020. ASC is safe to run provided you don’t use the registry cleaner. It is very good at freeing up space by removing junk.

If you start MSFS 2020 and find that it wants to download the simulator again, there is a ‘BROWSE’ button available on the download option screen. In most case’s you can browse to the drive location where the simulator is installed. Providing the simulator files remain at the installed location, the registry entry on your main hard drive will be repaired and a new install will be adverted!
If you have not already done so, please don’t panic and select the option to download the simulator again in it’s full glory! Choose the install location by using the BROWSE feature.

ASC should not have removed your simulator directory, if it did than it’s a very dangerous program. You need to carefully review what programs like this want to remove from your computer. You really only have yourself to blame for this, if you pressed the delete key without a reviewing what the program wants to delete.

BRGDS

Charles.

[Magic6420]

I have had a few run ins over the last 20 years with Iobit and their system tools, but since giving them up in around 2003, I must admit to having led a happier life with fewer problems. Your experience might differ and I sincerely hope that it does but for me, no thank you.

[nguyenhm16]

If you’re really having “issues” with your Windows installation, the best thing to do is to do format and clean install of Windows. With things like OneDrive’s known folder move (where your Documents, Desktop and Pictures folders are automatically synced), it’s fairly painless to start from scratch. Obviously you’re still going to have to reinstall your GPU drivers and MSFS2020.

At work, I use the Windows ADK to prepare Windows system images with pre-loaded Office and other common software, etc. It takes me about 15 minutes to boot from an external SSD and lay down a clean Windows image onto my computer.