That path is correct but only contains the controllers bindings (inside wgs folder). You need two more things, found under the upper level folder, to have a complete backup:
That’s it. With wgs folder and the files listed above you have a backup of all required settings and all controller input assignments.
Cheers
Thank you kindly! Will make a copy of those then.
As a novice PC user, how do I go about doing this? I know the question maybe to big, but maybe a pointer to a youtube or internet site to get me started. Thanks
Yes can confirm that Macrium paid version has enabled many complete system restores over the years. Quick and easy to use and worth every penny for peace of mind.
I utilise a spare internal HDD + 3 external drives for backups and never had a problem restoring individual folders or complete drives.
What I would recommend is that you search youtube for “Win 11 back up for beginners” and start looking at a few videos that you can relate to (there are literally hundreds lol). There is nothing that has to be MSFS 2020 specific, just a general Windows back up to another internal drive, external drive or USB thumb drive will do. With most back up software such as Macrium Reflect you can either restore the data completely or mount the backed up volume in File Explorer and browse files and copy off specific files if you want.
Whatever back up strategy you settle in on I would recommend that it also include cloud storage such as MS OneDrive to mirror all of your day to day personal files, pictures, & music that will keep everything synced in real time. This gives you the flexibility to share files across multiple PC’s, phones, tablets, etc and also go back to older versions of any one file(s). The more significant total disk back up should be used for more catastrophic events such as your disk getting corrupted or has failed completely.
Again, there are many ways you can go about backing things up and there will come a day you will thank yourself you did it! 
Me again with another question. I have found the “localprofile” file in the LocalState folder and also the “usercfg.opt” file in the LocalCache folder. However, I cannot see an “exe.xml” file in the LocalCache folder as you described. I even used my go-to file finder “Everything” to search for exe.xml and it did not find it on any of my drives whatsoever.
Am I missing something
@geloxo can correct me, but I think the exe.xml file is only required by some 3rd-party addons. If you don’t have them, you won’t have the file.
Thanks kindly. I sort of came to that conclusion upon further searching the forum after posting my question so I greatly appreciate this confirmation.
I have a backup in the cloud but how do I know which files I need to restore my FS settings? An “Update” this morning totally lost most of my settings.
As written above that exe.xml is only required by some addons, which will trigger execution of some external apps. If you don’t have it that’s fine. You then don’t need it.
Cheers
meh. twice my total flying hours and game progress have been inadverdently wiped out due to server side glitches or updates. what’s the backup plan for that?
Hi @ztemplepilot ,
FYI, there are couple of Wishlist items for local backup functionality, if you wanted to vote for them:
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I all of a sudden started having BSOD’s (all kinds of stopcodes.) Apparently something I’d done corrupted Windows, and also the Xbox App. When Windows would boot I couldn’t start the sim or the Xbox App, and couldn’t even install that app. In fact, I couldn’t even sign in to my Microsoft account. I tried everything I know, including DISM and SFC, but nothing worked.
Fortunately I use Macrium Reflect to run a Full / Differential / Incremental backup schedule for both my C: drive and my D: drive, and simply restored the full backup image from May 5th.
Better than needing to reinstall everything from scratch. Really, there’s no good reason not to buy a couple of cheap internal SATA SSD’s or external USB SSD’s and pony up for backup software. It’s saved me major time and headaches more than once.
Unless you like pain, or think it won’t happen to you…
Very good advice.
I’m using the free edition of Paragon Drive backup and also backup my C and D drives.
It did happen to me with one of the Nvidia drivers. I ended up having to reinstall windows and everything else. I learned my lesson then…lol
I use a cheap 8tb WD HD for my backups. It’s the blue one. But I also have FS2020 installed on that drive since I don’t dabble much with it anymore.
Hi there, I always use my Macrium Reflect. It has paid for itself many times over…Good advice, I may add.
I have had the same experience.
Problem occurred. FS2024 would not load.
Tried everything.
Even did a Clean Windows 11 install & the FS2024 install.
Problem still there.
Finally I remembered that I had a full PC backup.
Restored it.
Problem resolved.
AOMEI backup.
Hi. Regarding backups and Macrium, I understand the different types of backups. What has always confused me is the initial setup of the backup drive(s). I’ve got 2 2tb nvme’s (about 60% used) holding fs2020, fs2024, email, and all types of documents I don’t want to lose. How do I configure (partition?) my backup drive(s) to get started? I’m thinking of doing a full backup every 90 days or so and whatever differentials/incrementals that are advised. I would also like it to be as automated as possible, i.e. connect the drive and just push a ‘button’. How large should my backup drive(s) (external USB HD or SSD) be and should I have more than one? Sorry to be dense about this, but I’m just having trouble coneptualizing my initial startup environment to get started. (Reminds me of an old standard named: “I can’t get started.” Thanks so much. --Redeye
Let me just say that Macrim saved my cookies recently also. I tried to remove AMD Adrenalin Edition by uninstalling and my ASUS would no longer boot.
However, I have two M.2 drives installed and Macrim clones one to the other every few days…
Change boot order and I am golden, Changed backup to use the repaired disk as the source not the target.
Been here before. Also have used Samsung Magician to make a clone of a C: drive to and external usb mounted SSD.
AMD Adrenaline is where it was originally and I am not trying to remove it.
I use the free version of Acronis True Image that came with my Western Digital SSD. Works very well. I back up the C: drive once a month & the D (MSFS 2024) drive each time there is a new major release. Have had to do a restore of C: & D: a couple of times which worked flawlessly.