This will definitely be one of those “this guy is nuts” posts and yes, I agree. I love ReShade, it’s one of those tools I can’t live without but with the MS Store version of MSFS, you can’t use it due to the locked .exe
That means I can use Nvidia’s Ansel feature with the curated filters… which I find to be less than satisfactory. Annoying to set up with the inaccurate sliders, clunky UI, curated filters, requires extra bloat installed in form of GFE and every time you update drivers it ■■■■■■■■ resets.
So I really want to pick up the Steam version, simply to get around this issue.
Now question is, has anyone done or read about anyone doing it and know the potential problems?
Can I just point the ‘launcher’ I’m opening through Steam to the folder I have and it’ll work without any issues?
How does it work with extra content through various editions, is that tied up in the launched .exe, my MS account I bought it from or what? Say I bought Standard on Steam, logged in with my MS account where I have Premium Deluxe, do I keep that content?
Hoping someone can shed some light on this, thanks.
I have not tried but the “exe” file in Steam is not locked like it is in the MS Store. For example I am able to create real profiles in Nvidia and I could not do that with the MS Store version. Every time I tried I got the warning that it is not available despite chainging account settings and making it available for admin.
You keep no content what so ever if you used the Market Place. Nothing carries over, no airports, planes or scenary purchsed from Market Place. All other 3rd party purchases from i.e. Simmarket are fine. If you purchase regular version in Steam then that is what you have, if you want premium you have to buy it again.
In other words you start from scratch including progress despite being on the same Xbox account.
I don’t think you’re nuts at all. Steam is an overall much better platform than the MS Store. I don’t use ReShade, but I can understand why someone would like it.
But…
Any add-ons / upgrade edition you bought on MS Store you have to buy again once you switch to Steam. Even though you’re logging into your XBOX account with the same credentials, as far as it’s concerned, the MS Store / Gamepass and Steam editions of MSFS are 2 separate products. None of your paid DLC (from the marketplace - that includes Premium Deluxe) get carried over. None of your account data, log books, etc get carried over either. For all intents and purposes, it’s like starting from scratch as a first time buyer.
Definitely sad to hear how consumer unfriendly this has been set up but luckily, I discovered I don’t really use the added ‘edition’ content, so giving that up isn’t really a problem. Luckily I also bought a single piece of content, FT’s EKCH off the in-sim store, so it won’t be too big of a loss… Still, giving up the profile is a tough one to swallow.
I’ll definitely add it to my consideration.
Would any of you happen to know about settings, keybindings etc. will they carry over if the sim is already installed or does both versions use different folders for this sort of stuff? (and could I copy it over, to avoid doing that again)
You lose all your settings. Outside of your graphics settings which are saved in your usercfg.opt file which you technically could carry over, everything is from scratch. Like I said, as far as it’s concerned, you’re a new user who has never had MSFS before.
Oh boy, sounds like I need to put on a pot of coffee and my big patience face to get through that transition, haha. Well, at least I know what I’m in for, instead of getting a nasty surprise.
I will have to give reshade a test. I have the MS Store version and have set up a couple profiles for TrackIR, Voice Attack and NVidia that all link to the .exe. Although the process of taking ownership of the APPs folder can be a bit daunting and if all the steps are not completed in the right order can also be frustrating, I have had success with referencing the .exe.
I will try. Sounds like maybe a tutorial on releasing the folders would be a good idea.
You can copy your progress data from MS Store to Steam, you’ll have to find the profile and copy paste into your Steam profile, and if achievements are unlocked they will unlock on Steam also. I did myself and works fine.