Hence why it was/is ignored or got very short attention, i’m convinced they think we want the whole package decrypted.
Its NOT Asobo that needs to asked, its Microsoft - namely, the head of Microsoft Flight Simulator. He is the one to be asked in the next Q&A.
However, you can be sue that he probably knows the Community is asking for this, and is therefore conveniently ignoring the issue.
Has there an explanation why the standard files are accessible while the premium/deluxe files are locked?
The encryption is done to prevent people from copying the folders around, so that only users that paid for the respective package (deluxe/premium) are able to use them.
This also applies to the airports and as far as I know even on third party contents from the Marketplace.
We all agree there needs to be some kind of DRM, but as usual the DRM here mostly hurts those that are paid owners of the content, which is a shame.
Decisions on copy protection were anyway very strange in MSFS, you can see that on the “insert DVD 1” requirement for all who bought the physical copy. There is absolutely no need to add this check, it just annoys paid customers without ANY additional copyright benefit.
Aerosoft there also confirmed that Microsoft dictated that there needs to be this check for DVD 1 in the drive when starting.
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the dvd must be in is standard for consoles if you got the hardcopy.
it was also needed for fsx, only steamversion did away with that ofcourse.
this you can expect if you buy a hardcopy.
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My Understanding is this 
The premium Planes have some of their files protected in an encrypted file (.fsarchive) to prevent the planes being distributed by users, without the proper purchasing from Microsoft (ie Copy Protection).
I am assuming that when they are purchase and downloaded, something is inserted into those files to lock their opening to the original purchaser, that prevents the files from being used by another MSFS owner.
That in itself is fine-- Microsoft and other 3rd party developers like Carenado, should have a way to stop the widespread copying / pirating of their product.
The problem arises when these products do not work correctly, and the developer seems unable or unwilling to fix the issue, where potentially, those with the required technical expertise in the community can.
We have seen multiple examples of this – Garmin G1000, airbus & bowing planes etc.
The encrypted plane would be protected form Piracy, with just the Textures & Models encoded… they are the parts that required the massive development expenses.
The Planes COULD be protected, and still leave the simple Text .cfg files un-encoded, so that the owner / community can improve them , including adding liveries, and minor changes to the plane.
There is no argument that encoding the .cfg files will alter the DRM Protection on the overall plane.
It could be argued that allowing users to mod the .cfg files may lead to issues with the operation of the plane, and added request for Technical support. That also applies to the stock planes. In any case, one of the features of the sim that makes it so attractive to many, is the ability to Mod and customize. This had been eliminated in the case of the Premium & Deluxe planes.
Its like buying a car, with the wheel nuts WELDED in place, so you cannot change the wheels, and find that the car manufacturer has fitted SQUARE wheels, that do not run very well !! – not a good example, but just as frustrating to the user.
I don’t think that, with the exchange of information on the Internet, it is now any secret that the .fsarchive encryption has been :“Cracked”, and there are decoders floating around on the Dark Web.
If the motivation continues to be able to mod these .cfg files, sooner or later, .fsarchive decryption will become easily available, and them ALL the files will be open, and the planes will then freely start being copied and pirated.
What I do not understand, is why Microsoft is continuing to include the .cfg files with the other files that do warrant encryption, for DRM purposes.
This is almost a issue, that could be covered by any future “Right to Repair” acts !!!
(and that a whole different topic )
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I edited the title of the thread to show that all we want are the .cfg files.
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Flight Simulator X only needed an activation using your serial number, and it did not require the DVD to be kept inside a drive to start up. The last one with a CD check was Flight Simulator 2004, so Microsoft are essentially bringing us back to 2003.
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VERY GOOD Idea … I was just about to MSG you and suggest that.
Its really important that Microsoft realizes and FULLY UNDERSTANDS, we do not what all the DRM removed, but only the .cfg files available for “Correction” by users.
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And when that DVD gets scratched or damaged by repeated handling and insertion into the PC ? what is the remedy then ? re-purchase a whole new DVD set ??
Insert DVD for verification is so 1990’s !!! Far better ways these days to secure DRM !!!
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Agreed, this method is archaic and I just don’t understand how Microsoft thought it would be a good idea.
Personally I am using this method and thankfully it works really well, it keeps my drive bay clear for other stuff. But not everyone will probably find out about this sadly. They really need to reevaluate these copy protection systems. It only makes the situation so much worse for those who do not attempt to crack either the simulator or the Premium Deluxe aircraft.
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/tip-for-dvd-users-save-drive-space/199070
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Sorry guys, there are plenty threads about the DVD insert prompt. It was just one more example where Microsoft made weird copyright protection decisions.
Anyway, let’s get back on topic, we need to have access to locked aircraft to be able to mod them. It’s just indisputable, since even Microsoft makes official promotion for the mods in their twitch streams, showcasing various mods and how BIG the improvements are done by the community for free.
It’s time they support the community in providing mod-support for the premium/deluxe aircraft, however they can.
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I have only “basic” MSFS 2020. But if Asobo/Microsoft does unlock the premium and deluxe airplanes for us modders, I consider to upgrade for my own money to all airplanes. But now it is totally unsatisfying to spend money for an airplane I can not make the way I want it.
And yes, I understand “money rules the world”. No problem with that.
Well, it is no SO bad. But I think nobody has a spreadsheet that has manufacturer data in, perfect cfg files out function. You estimate and then you adjust. And yes, sometimes you yell: “What the f*ck!”
Maybe its about time the COMMUNITY put some pressure on this, where it gets some attention … “the Bottom Line” $$$$
If the Community REFUSED to purchase aircarft (from MS or 3rd part developers) until their .cfg files were unlocked, it would not be long till that got attention, with zero sales, and the 3rd party developers would pressure MS, NOT to encode their .cfg files, in order to restore sales.
It is MS that does the encoding for the MS Store, and has decided what gets encoded, and there is no reason why this initial decision should be cast in stone.
With enough Incentive (ie Sales - $$$$), the list of files encoded could easily be changed, not to include the .cfg files in the archive, and MS Store content, could be updated overnight, to remove those files from the archives.
Asking and requesting in the Forums & Q&A sessions, seems to get ignored.
Stopping the Purchase of these encoded aircraft might meet with a better response.
Its a BUYERS market
– if the consumer does not like it, the consumer should not buy it, until this reasonable request in honored.
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Do you want to put oil in fire? Do you like that everybody says “what is that for a strange idea?”. You were successful!
The problem is the size of the community. With over 2 million sales and a summer Xbox release, the community is more diversified than ever. There are well over 1.5 million who are not part of this forums and that number is about to expand again.
600 out of 2 million is basically nobody, hardly a drop in the bucket of the MSFS Marketplace.
Good point – Unfortunately.
The word would have to go out on all the other forums, communities, reviewers etc.
However, maybe its only a very low percentage of “Flight Simmers” who really care. ?
On the other hand, I can see an argument for locking down the .cfg files, so “uninformed” users cannot modify them incorrectly, cause themselves issues, and the FLOOD both MS/Asobo and the 3rd Part Developers with support “demands” to fix the product that they themselves have corrupted - a Tech Support Nightmare.
Its an interesting dilemma.
On the one hand you have users who say
“Whats a .cfg file”,
and on the other hand you have a “few” users who say
".fsarchive pffffft . that was cracked the day MSFS was released – what your problem ? "
I’m at least telling everyone to only buy the Standard Edition just for that one reason. Unfinished aircraft that cannot be modded.
Also I tell people to stay off the Marketplace.
JustFlight has a license check by entering some key on first start with the Arrow III, which seems to work fine for them.
I’m sure MS/Asobo could figure out a proper DRM without prohibiting any change to their aircraft.
Since they don’t, I assume the don’t want to and thus I take my consequences and hope many of us do, too.
If that was a reason, Standard edition aircraft would be locked as well.
It’s just a copyright reason, nothing else.