Sorry about the length and complexity of this post but I am desperate.
When I originally installed MSFS (Premium Deluxe Edition) I instructed the install to be put on my E: drive which is a 1TB M2. It appears that it did install the launch part of the program there in E:\WindowsApps and \WPSystem. but it put 103GB of data in the C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Flight_Simulator 8wekyb3d8bbwe\Local Cache\Packages\Official\OneStore folder. My C: drive is a 500GB SSD which also holds the Windows 10 files. In that folder created 11/28/2020 is 103GB, 65088 files, 2234 folders. I need this folder and the Community folder to be on my E: drive (I am running out of space on my C: drive). So I tried to do the move by creating a folder on my E: drive that I named E:\Microsoft.Flight_Simulator8wekyb3d8bbwe\Packages\Official\Onestore\ and also a Community folder. When I tried to copy and paste the files from C: to these new E: folders I got the message that I could not move those files to that new location.
After several tries and more research I gave up. The next day I decide to do some flying and started up the sim. I got a message that I needed to install the 108GB and that I did not have enough space on my C: drive to do it. So I told it to put it n my E: drive in the folder I created. It did that but when I started the sim I had none of the Deluxe and Premium packages and a lot of other stuff was missing. I went to Content Manager and reinstalled all the items that it said were not installed, 122 items 28 GB. Then it wanted to install the 108GB package again. So I told it to put it in the E: drive folder and let it install. Now the sim works and everything seems to be there but I now have stuff on my C: drive which is nearly full now.
On my C: drive, in the Microsoft.Flight_simulator8wekyb3d8bbweI folder, I have a Packages Folder with 79GB, 47914 files and 1308 folders created on 2/10/2021 and also under Local Cache the Packages folder with 103GB, 65088 files and 2234 folders created on 11/28/2020.
And on my E: drive in the new folder I created I have the same 103GB, 65088 files and 2234 folders created on 2/9/2021.
I need to get the 79GB and 103GB of data off of my C: drive. I am wondering if I can just delete the 103GB on my C: drive since it is already on my E: drive. I did change the UserCfg.opt line to read E:\Microsoft.Flight_Simulator8wekyb3d8bbwe\Packages. I don’t know what to do with the 79GB on my C: drive though. Can I just copy it to the E: drive folder adding it to the 103GB already there then delete it on my C: drive or what? I guess ultimately if I can’t figure this out I could just uninstall and delete everything to do with MSFS and start over. I also need a solution for the error message that “Your organization does not allow you to place this file here” So I can move these files.
Please help
I have a similar problem and no solution. Hopefully someone will answer.
What I cannot understand is that Windows doesn’t allow to copy files even under full admin. I am not a Windows expert though.
I have read several posts form others saying that they have moved these files apparently without any problems. Others have had problems but were able to get around them. I have tried all the suggestion that I have found to get around these issues but none of them have worked for me. I just got a notice that another MSFS update is coming soon and I can’t let it get on my C: drive. In fact, I will not fit there anyway so worst problems may be on the horizon.
I’ve used a program called SYNCBACKFREE current version 9.4 by 2brightsparks.
This allows me to back up my community folder and get around the “you cannot move this file” issue.
That is such an annoying issue. I “believe” the reason why it happens is that when you extract a file that was compressed, it gets encrypted wherever you place it - which then prevents movement of that file. SYNCBACKFREE seemingly doesn’t have an issue with the encryption.
I’d suggest you set up a backup routine using the C: as the source and the E: drive as destination and you’ll move the 79GB of files to the E: drive.
It’s a free program so if it doesn’t work for you - no cost.
ALSO, I had nothing but grief trying to move the files to another drive - especially “Community” which can get quite large.
I ended up creating a “hard link” - complicated windows terminology for a routine that (for example) allows you to install a file on drive E: and place a marker on the C: drive that directs FLIGHTSIM to find the file it’s looking for on the E: drive. As far as MSFS is concerned, the file resides in the C: - where it expects it. In reality, the link is in the C: drive and the file takes up space on your E: drive.
There is a freeware program that I believe will do this work for you - MSFS Addons linker - look for it on Flightsim.to.
I haven’t used it as my files are already linked - it just looks like an easier interface than getting into the Windows Powershell etc…
Good Luck.
I got it all sorted out. I gave up trying to move files around. I deleted all the files in C:\ Packages\Official\ and Community folders and the 103GB of files in that other C:…Packages\ folder. I also deleted all the files on E:…Packages\Official. Started up the sim, re-downloaded the 108GB data to the E: drive files which, for some reason, only applied 79GB. I had to finish installing another 28GB that my Content Manager told me was not installed. It added that data to the same folder with the 79GB. Everything works now and and I got a bunch of GBs off my C: drive. All I need to do now is re-download 3 addon airports and 2 addon airplanes and I will be back to normal.
On how to move MSFS to a different drive in Windows 10.
Find the Microsoft Flight Simulator (.exe) App in the Settings >> Apps << Windows Settings
Settings >> Apps & features >> Search and highlight the game MSFS in the apps search list
Click,
option “Move” appears
choose your different drive
Copy/Move/delete Old “Community” folder (with path) to that new drive.
(Store version:)
Flightsimylator MSFS uses the path mentioned in the
c:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\UserCfg.opt
Open UserCfg.opt with a text editor, a proper one like free Notepad++
The last line shows the installation path of the “Community” folder of the present sim.
Point this line to the folder of your new location, so Flightsimulator.exe can find and use the new location.