Hello, I own the MS Store version and I had started to run out of space on my 1TB SSD so I installed an additional 4TB SSD that I want to move MSFS to. I’ve done some research and found 2 options… 1) to copy the Official and Community folders to the new drive and edit the UserCfg.opt file to point to the new drive, or 2) Use the Apps & Features “Move” option to move it to the new drive.
Is one method preferred over the other? I’ve read some instances that when using the MOVE function to do this, that MSFS will update packages every time it starts. I would love any advice and/or to hear which method you used and how it went.
Personally my advice would be for option 1 and move the Official and Community folders to the new drive.
I think (although I don’t have much evidence) that it may be “safer” to keep the core package (not downloaded content) in the default c:\ location (and it isn’t too much in terms of size on the ssd).
Having the downloaded content on a separate drive should work fine.
This. But you don’t need to edit that file - just select the new path when the installer asks you to download all these packages. It will detect the packages and not redownload these
My only concern is what I mentioned in my o/p, that I’ve read that some users have had MSFS update packages every time they fire it up. Have you actually moved MSFS this way? If so, good results and no issues?
I honestly did not try the move function but by just moving the packages at least caches and the executable stay in the same place on your main drive.
I guess there is no real benefit on each compared to the other, just keep the path of the new place short (like D:/MSFS/Packages…) to prevent long path errors provided by Windows
Yes, with the “Move” command for years now.
Never had a problem. It is a MS FS2020 program.
As to updates to the packages, FS2020 will check the the
status of its files in the “Installed Packages” to verify they are okay and will update/correct any that are not what is expected.
There’s a third way if your internet connection is decently fast…just do an uninstall and then do a reinstall to the new SSD. That’s what I did. What sucks is the time it can take.
Make a backup of your Activities/Missions folder. That’s where any Bush trips you flew will be. You absolutely want to make a copy of that folder. Otherwise, there’s a good chance they’ll get tossed during the re-install.
Once done re-installing, copy the Activities/Missions folder back where it belongs. FS 2020 doesn’t create the folder until you fly at least one Bush mission, so if you copy your backup missions folder to the same location within the FS 2020 install, you should be good to go.
When you’re done, open FS 2020 and check your logbook and Bush flights (if you’ve ever done any). If the hours and Bush trips are wonky, do this:
Shut down FS 2020
Open the “Task manager”
Open the “Services” tab
Find the “GamingServices” app and restart it.
Restart FS 2020 and everything should re-sync and your logbook should be correct.
This has been my “go-to” for at least a half dozen re-installs.
That is what I did, deleted the existing one and reinstalled with no problem, with all add-ons in a separate drive and I had no problems. I do not know if it is the best way but it worked for me.
Thanks for all the advice, I’ve learned a lot. Turns out I wont have to move MSFS,at least not for awhile. I discovered it was my linked add-on folder that took up most of the space. Just moved that over to the new drive and re-linked, and was able to install the last 2 World Updates. All is well.
It seems now that moving is under control of X-Box app in windows and so is reinstall. Beware of the option to move the sim under apps in settings - I did and it went fine but all the files/folders were locked!!
Then an update and it wouldn’t run.
I moved it because D: was much bigger and the sim now takes up a lot of GB (Both drives are Seagate Barracuda SSDs). So I had to clone C; onto the bigger D: and then reinstall the sim. That process won’t start under Microsoft Store any longer: has to be via the X-Box app.
So beware of moving the entire sim and be prepared for XB to control everything.
