Here is a picture of the nonsense that you refer to taking place.
Like you, I can only post my own experience.
Unlike you, I do not feel the need to say that is the only experience
and that anything else is nonsense.
slowly.i had the same picture as the opening picture.you can’t choose.except cancel the sim.there is only one option with a button.that’s update.so what now?i guess i was right.you can’t choose.
Let it update.
i had to do that yesterday, but no such opening picture came up.today in retrospect the same picture came up.however, it was about the update where the errors occurred yesterday,whether this could have been avoided by not updating for the time being.unfortunately, however, the update worked automatically without a choice.but after the fix with the bush scotland flight,and the reinstallation of the navigraph.thank god everything works.
If you had the exact same screen as the user @AncientPilot239 you could choose the installation or update location by clicking on “Install Packages Path” – I described how to do it here.
edit
Even the installation of the Navdata and Crash fix gives us the option to choose the installation location. It’s been like this from the beginning, with the exception that if I remember correctly, there used to be a “Browse” button.
1 Like
Not 100% correct, there is one installation rollout that simply shows a mostly dark window.
It informs you that there are „crucial or important“ files missing from your installation.
You only have the option to click continue with the update….nothing else.
I am not sure if the location path was shown or not….it usually happens only when a BUGfix is pushed out I believe.
1 Like
Thank you for the information. However, this is a separate issue that is unrelated to the current topic.
1 Like
and you see this:
in which you can navigate to the correct location, if required.
I am not saying that this is the only thing that can have happened.
I do not have an Xbox, where the update might well be automatic
and skip this step.
I am saying that if this screen is reached and the location in the box
is incorrect, the installer will indeed, if left to its own devices, install
a whole new and default copy of MSFS onto a PC.
My installation appears to be working very well, but there is something that confuses me a little about that location.
Not long ago, I moved my MSFS onto a drive other than the default C: drive and the majority of the files are indeed on that new drive, apart from the community and official folders, which appear to stay on the C: drive.
However, when an update occurs, it still points at the C: drive location.
Presumably, the update must decide where to put things as it goes along, with addons going on my C: drive and base code/data on the other drive?
As I said, it still seems to work, but I thought I’d just check that I’ve not somehow created two copies of the same files?
It depends on how the game files were moved. If a system tool was used for this, symbolic links will remain on the C drive.
Thanks. I just used the Xbox app to move it, IIRC.
That last abbreviation becomes more important, the older myself and my memory get. 
I’ll be deleting the installation soon though and will install FS2024 on a custom location from the outset, for simplicity’s sake.
If you used the Xbox app for this, there are likely symbolic links left on the C drive. In general, it is not recommended to move the game launcher to a different location.
So would FS2024 still have the game launcher on the C: drive even if I install on say my G: drive, from the start?
I have the MSFS 2024 launcher installed on the C drive. Regarding the Microsoft Store version of MSFS 2020, there are three locations:
- The folder where the launcher is installed.
- The folder where the MSFS settings files and aircraft settings (for example, PMDG) are stored.
- The folder where the MSFS packages are installed, which includes the Community and Official folders.
edit
As you can see, the location of the folders is important. You forgot to specify which one you meant when mentioning the files on the C drive.
C: definitely appears to contain 3. and probably 2. also.
My G: drive just appears to have the largest amount of data, under a folder called “WpSystem” and that is probably what you’ve stated as 1. ?
but the update location still appears to point at the C: drive, which is presumably as it will follow the link(s) to the new location?
The desktop shortcut that I use to start MSFS, is definitely pointing to a location on the G: drive by the way.
Yes and Nope, surprise? 
In your case, there are now five locations where the game files are stored:
- The folder where the MSFS launcher is installed.
- The folder that contains the main game settings after moving the launcher. This folder is located within the “wpsystem” folder.
- The folder on the C drive with symbolic links to the folders that are in the “wpsystem” folder.
- The folder where the MSFS packages are installed, which includes the Official and Community folders.
- The folder on the C drive, “Xbox Games” where Microsoft Flight Simulator Digital Ownership is installed.
1 Like
LOL, I now apparently have an even bigger reason to anticipate the release of FS2024. I’ll probably just let it install as default now, to maintain my sanity.
I’m also hoping that the Xbox app FS2020 uninstall knows about these locations as well you you do. 
As I mentioned, it is recommended to install the launcher on the C drive. After installing and launching the launcher, you can install the packages, also known as Official folder on a different drive or partition.
1 Like
FS2024 will apparently not need anywhere near as much space, so I’ll probably just leave that on C: and leave my G: drive for DCS.
Thank you muchly for your help with this.
I don’t know if you’re aware but there’s a dedicated thread about MSFS 2024 somewhere on the forum.
I suggest you ask your questions about MSFS 2024 there
You’re very welcome
BTW
Below is the appearance of the folders with symbolic links and the default folders. As you can see, they differ.
Symbolic Link Icon have a small arrow overlay on the folder icon.
Default folders Icon
1 Like