Confused with Fresh Install of MSFS

User Support Hub Install, Performance & Graphics
1

Hi all,

I was having issues with the sim and decided to upgrade to Windows11 and do a fresh install of MSFS. I downloaded the version I owned on the MS Store and the install completed. I can open the sim and all seems well.

What I’m confused about is the file location and file structure. The first time I had MSFS, it was in C/Users/Myname/app data. My clean windows doesn’t even have a c/users/appdata folder. When I search my computer for \Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe, the file doesn’t exist. After I this install, I found MSFS in C/xbox games and I cannot locate the community folder.

What have I done? I will need access to the community folder at some point to manage add-on aircraft etc. Did I download and install the xbox version instead of the PC version?

I’m really not sure why this has to be so hard. I just want to redownload the sim and install it on my PC the way it was before. It should be a couple of mouse clicks, download an installer, and go. The only way I knew how to do it was to find the game in the MS store and hit install. Apparently, I’ve done something wrong.

Thanks,

Dave Freeman

2

Here is where my community folder is. It’s a standard MSFS 2020 install on the C drive. Just replace “YourUserName” with your own.

C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community

3

Yes, this is my issue. After a clean install going from windows 10 to 11. My PC doesn’t have an AppData folder under users. I’m not sure why this is? I did a complete system reset and installed Windows 11 and the whole file structure for MSFS doesn’t exist

4

I’m so stupid. After reinstalling windows. I guess I needed to allow the folder to show hidden items. I found it right where it should be. Sorry to waste cyberspace.

2 Likes
6

We have all been there.

But, it is refreshing to see smeone own up to it.
Enjoy FS2020.

7

Glad to hear its all sorted, same thing happened to me, and after a sharp intake of breath realised that I was running Win 11. I assumed Microsoft is bound to make things easier for me so after some head scratching all turned out well.