I have not had the sim shut down correctly for almost a month now. I updated the NVIDIA driver in preparation for SU2 as recommended for 2024. I did three flights in 2020 today and each time the sim shutdown correctly. Nothing else was changed. FWIW
I lied, there was also an XBox app update this morning. Maybe one of them fixed it? We’ll see.
Corruption doesn’t have to be at the disk level. SFC and CHKDSK won’t tell you if the MSFS configuration files have been corrupted (at the file level) due to an aborted exit attempt. This is why many of us on this forum are not comfortable force-closing the application.
Thanks a lot, buddy. It worked perfectly. Now it is shutting down as expected. 
You’re welcome mate. Fly safe.
Hello,
I just updated the Nvidia driver (576.02) and I also updated the Xbox app: no change, I have to remove FS2020 through the task manager.
I have TenPatrol’s fix installed and MFSF2020 shuts down correctly.
This morning there was a mandatory update, and MSFS2020 still shuts down correctly.
Now, is this due to TenPatrol’s fix, or has the mandatroy update fixed the problem ??
Perhaps TenPatrol would care to comment.
I am happy to be guided by wiser minds.
Actually, the mandatory update was just the AIRAC cycle update and not a bug fix, so my workaround is still effective.
The AIRAC update itself was released earlier, but if you hadn’t launched MSFS 2020 in a while, it only showed up for you today.
Thank you for your prompt reply.
Adding my thanks as well.Worked for me. Appreciate the effort on our behalf!!
If you are using Windows eleven there is an easy way to set it up so you can quit MSFS,
Yes, I got this same situation since today, never seen this previously.
Luckily, I got some DIY supplementary reinforced cooling installed…
Well, I’m happy for you.
It may be fair to assume that the actual fix will have to be in Windows itself.
Different people and different route of problem.
They will want to understand exactly what is happening and which code where
will need to be changed.
To do a belt and braces on that takes time.
I am sure it will be fixed. For the time being just opening Taskmaster and
ending the process takes a couple of seconds and is OMHO the safest way for now.
Same strange behaviour for me as well. Shut down the app and left the room. Came back to see that fan was running. Checked task manager - CPU was 51%. How strange. Had to use the task manager to end task.
MSFS 2020 1.38.2.0
AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS 32gb w Radeon 780M Graphics
Windows 11 Pro 24H2
TL;DR
I submitted a bug to Zendesk and support worked with me to determine the cause. Not surprising, it is not the sim.
Tech support blames it on Gaming Services.
Gaming Services is used to sync your Sim profile, logbook, etc. for your account.
It’s not their problem, so they closed the ticket.
Pretty much says “good luck with that” blow off.
If I had to guess, it is related to the size of your logbook. Like the issue we had a couple years ago when the sim stopped updating the logbook. My logbook is still keeping track so I’m not sure exactly what is going on.
Two ways to stop this each time you exit the sim:
Good luck with that.. 
I also know exactly which file from gaming services package is responsible.
Also, we’ve known for a while that probably Gaming Services package is the root cause of the issue.
We’ve also had a wokaround for quite some time now.
https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/msfs-2020-will-not-shut-down-fully/717408/725?u=tenpatrol
This is the easiest way if you have Windows 11.
Tnx a lot, you solved this pesty bug. You have a beer paid here.
All the best.
Appreciate your help thus far. You say “we” a lot. Are you affiliated with Microsoft or Asobo? Or do you mean “we” as in the forum? Just interested.
Twice the well-known company Wargaming approached me to join their Customer Support team, but I politely declined both times - let’s just say they couldn’t afford me! Neither Asobo, Microsoft, nor the firm running Zendesk has ever made me such an offer.
PS: I could have chosen not to answer, since it’s a personal matter and privacy questions like this really aren’t appropriate.
Fly safe.