How to Enable FPS Overlay Without Developer Mode (SU5 Beta)

[TenPatrol]

The goal here is simple: use MSFS native FPS overlay without keeping Developer Mode enabled.

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Since SU5 1.7.7.0 in MSFS 2024, closing Developer Mode also removes the FPS overlay. Previously, the FPS counter could remain active independently, but that is no longer the case.

This creates a problem for proper performance testing. On some hardware configurations, there is a noticeable FPS drop - and even stuttering - when Developer Mode is enabled. However, anyone who wants to monitor FPS is currently forced to keep Developer Mode turned on.

For gamers who are benchmarking, testing performance, or simply monitoring MSFS behavior, Developer Mode itself is unnecessary. They only need the FPS overlay.

For that reason, I decided to share a workaround that allows you to keep the FPS overlay enabled without having Developer Mode active.

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There are two ways to do this:

• by using Command Prompt (CMD) commands, or
• by creating desktop shortcuts with the appropriate launch parameters.

I personally prefer the desktop shortcut method. You set it up once and forget about it - just launch the simulator using the shortcut.

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If you already have a desktop shortcut for MSFS 2024, do not modify it. Keep it as your standard shortcut for launching MSFS 2024 without the FPS overlay.

We will create a separate shortcut specifically for enabling the FPS overlay without Developer Mode. This way, you can choose how you want to launch the sim each time.

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Guide based on MSFS 2024 Microsoft Store Version - If you have the Steam version, the folder containing FlightSimulator2024.exe will be different.
Follow these steps:

1. Go to the folder where the MSFS 2024 launcher is installed. By default, this is C:\XboxGames\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\Content

• While in the Content folder, right-click on the file FlightSimulator2024.exe
• Select Show more options > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)

2. A shortcut has been created, but it doesn’t have an icon and doesn’t look very nice, right? Let’s fix that. Right-click on the new shortcut and select Properties.
   Next, go to the Shortcut tab and click Change Icon.
   

   

3. In the new window, click Browse and navigate to the folder where FlightSimulator2024.exe is located. Select the file named SmallLogo and click Open.
   

   
   
   Click OK to confirm.
   
   
   
   In the second window, click Apply and do not close it.

4. In the “Target” field add -showFramerate at the end of the line (after the existing path) making sure to include a space before it.
   

   

5. Click Apply and then OK.

6. Finally, rename the shortcut so that it’s clear this specific shortcut will launch MSFS 2024 with the FPS overlay.

Right-click on the shortcut and select Rename. Change the shortcut’s name to FPS Overlay.

Press Enter.

7. Finally, launch MSFS 2024 using the new shortcut. If you followed all the steps correctly, you should see the FPS overlay already during the loading of MSFS.

I have my FPS capped at 60, so that’s what you’ll see - not 500.

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If you prefer a more minimal FPS Overlay, you can use the
-showFramerateMini switch instead, which shows a smaller amount of data.

You can create a second shortcut with this new switch - how to do it, you already know. You can name this shortcut MSFS 2024 FPS Mini Overlay or any name you like.

[PiotrekPilot]

Useful. I personally use Alt+R or the Nvidia overlay for testing because I don’t care about frame rate. I have it locked at 30. It’s important that the game runs smoothly, and internet speed also plays a role here.

[Trunte2019]

Thank you for the explanation, very usefull

[TenPatrol]

You’re very welcome

[rottenbk]

For those on Steam, you can do this:

Open your library, select MSFS2024, click the gear icon, and you can add “-showFrameRate” or “-showFrameRateMini” under launch options

[RonMULTIPLAYER]

Fantastic and very helpful! Thx!

[TenPatrol]

Happy to help! Making guides with pictures or screenshots is my guilty pleasure

[HikingSage8769]

I have to say it, @TenPatrol, you are a great asset to the community, you have a genuine intention of providing help to others and to share your knowledge with others, and most importantly, no matter the issue, you always have a positivity in your responses. I have to admit that I do share the same guilty pleasure of trying to help others as best as possible.

[ExtraPilot6480]

Thank you for giving us an important workaround.

For many people who are not developers, this is the major method of tuning their system. Which perhaps makes it surpising that Asobo removed the original method we have used since FS2020 was released.

Subtle hint to Asobo: It would of course be more sensible to have direct access to the overlay in the non-developer settings menu.

[Dej710MX2016]

If you don’t want to see the XBOX GAMESTUDIOS startup logos, you can also add this command line to your target shortcut -FastLaunch together with the -showFramerate option as they both work together.