How to TOTALLY Remove and Re-Install MSFS2024 from Windows 11 ..AND.. KEEP my Flight Stick settings.
I want to totally remove MSFS2024 and KEEP a copy of my Flight Stick settings that can be RESTORED after re-installing MSFS2024. I have NEVER removed or re-installed the sim since the first install right after the sim was released. I am currently running the latest BETA so the removal and reinstall will be the beta version. I do NOT want to lose my current flight stick settings.
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I know this topic has been addressed numerous times before but I want the latest and very best instructions and best practices for this one time re-install.
I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and ideas on this request. Thank you !
Your Control Settings profiles are automatically saved to the Cloud when being created/saved. Meaning when you uninstall/reinstall MSFS 2024, they will be available again automatically.
If you would like to back your Control Settings profiles up with a local copy, you can export these profiles in the menu accessed via the gear icon next to each control profile category.
Alternatively there are 3rd party tools that you can source online that are able to back up your profiles.
Thank you for the quick response. If I export control settings via the gear icon, I assume there is a restore method in the same area of the sim ?? Also, , if you don’t mind the novice question, what is the BEST practice for the complete removal and re-installation of the sim from the Win11 desktop.
Thank you…your kind replies have answered all my questions. Obviously, I keep making insertion mistakes when trying to post my questions… Feel free to delete or clean up all of my mess here.
If you really want to reset MSFS, so it forgets you and sets up “as new”, I have come up with the checklist below for myself.
You can delete Cloud Save data which gives you a semi-fresh start (it does delete controller profiles and log book, etc), but I’ve found some issues still persist after that. So I go the extra steps of deleting Cloud Save, and MSFS, and doing a fresh install of Windows itself - it takes me all of 90 minutes because I’ve done it a bunch of times over the years.
Since controller settings are the only sticking point, rather than rely on the backup file, I just keep a text list of the changes I make from the default, and it takes me less time to recreate a new profile than trying to restore from backup and then troubleshoot issues.
When I started using MSFS, it was on Xbox, and found that settings and data would get corrupted when memory limits were reached - resulting in odd behaviours and CTDs due to corrupted settings and data. And because MSFS uses “Cloud Save” for everything, these issues would persist even if you erased and reinstalled MSFS, because of corrupted settings restored from the cloud!
I’ve since moved to PC, and rely on the published instructions to Delete Cloud Save data (in the checklist below) when I have odd, persistent issues and want to fully reset.
Here’s my full reset checklist if it’s of any use to you:
NOTE: I’m not a pro, this is just my own method, others may have better / different advice. This is just what works for me. Your mileage may vary!
My own Full Windows and MSFS reset checklist
1. Download installers before starting
I download all the driver installers I need to a 2nd drive, so I can install before connecting the new Windows install to the internet - avoiding Windows Update from sneaking in drivers.
I check for BIOS updates and only install latest “stable” (not beta)
I download the LAN, WIFI, Bluetooth drivers from my motherboard’s website to avoid Windows versions. I do NOT install audio drivers - and have not had any issues.
I download the latest GPU Driver, and the DDU (in case Windows sneaks in a driver…)
I save all of that to my 2nd drive which will remain intact
2. Check Microsoft Account credentials!
Before signing OUT of Microsoft, I make sure I can sign IN
If you use a Microsoft Account, I highly recommend you test your login to Microsoft.com in a browser first, to be sure you know your password.
I also go the extra step, while logged in to the microsoft.com account: I make sure my backup login methods are all current, and I have created a passkey saved on my phone, and have Authenticator set up, etc, etc. That way, I know my account credentials are good before I start. To do this:
Login, click your User Initials in the upper right corner
Choose View Account
Click on Security on the left
Click on Manage how I sign in…
I recommend establishing as much as you can so you have multiple ways to verify your account.
3. Check Windows Activation
If you use a Microsoft Account, chances are your Windows activation / product key is saved in your account, so if you reset Windows, all you have to do is sign in with the Microsoft account to activate Windows.
If you have a product key, good idea to have that saved to a 2nd drive in case you need to re-enter it.
4. Backup things you want to keep
In MSFS, you might want to backup your controller settings, by exporting them to files. And you might want to screenshot your settings, and save those to a 2nd drive.
It’s worth noting that the default bindings for MSFS seem to change every version. So instead of backing up my profiles, I keep a simple text list of the customizations I make, and I re-create my controller profiles wtih each new install of MSFS - by having a list, it only takes me a few minutes. I just don’t trust the way MSFS saves / restores settings, compounded with the buggy cloud save structure, I’d rather avoid issues and always use a fresh set up even though it’s a bit more work.
5. Sign out of Microsoft Apps, Delete Cloud Save
Note: my process really resets everything - no saved controller profiles or log book, all will be gone if you follow this, to get a new “out of box experience”.
I sign out of Microsoft Office (if installed)
I Open MSFS and I manually click on “Set to Defaults” on each of the Settings pages 1 by 1, to force “defaults” to save to the cloud overwriting any custom, or corrupted settings with vanilla defaults.
I manually delete my controller profiles so they aren’t saved, and are deleted from any Cloud Save (and can’t reload corrupted copies)
I manually clear the “Career History” (even though I’ve never touched it).
With the MS Store version of MSFS, using the above command line to delete cloud save date actually launches MSFS, I let it get past the “sync data” stage then force quit the app, so its not setting up the new copy yet.
I then go an extra step, and log in to Microsoft.com > View Account > Devices > and at the bottom… Delete Cloud Saved Settings!
I also go in to Privacy on the Microsoft Account webpage, and delete a lot of history.
Surprisingly, even doing all of the above, my bookmarks and any saved info in Edge is still retained and synced back after a new install of Windows 11 using a Microsoft account.
6. Reset BIOS to defaults
Because I like to do a few benchmarks with default settings each time I do a full reset, I also set BIOS to defaults before installing Windows
If you do this, you’ll want to know if BIOS controls your cooling, and make note of any customizations
On my MSI board, to reset BIOS, I shut down the PC and press the Clear CMOS button on the rear panel of the board for 10 seconds (where the ports are). When you next boot, it takes a long time as it has to re-train memory.
7. Clean install Windows
Boot from Windows Install USB
On my MSI board, I hold F11 when rebooting to get boot menu
I select the USB drive to boot the Windows 11 installer
I select “Install Windows”
“I agree everything will be deleted…”
On the Product Key page I click “I don’t have a product key” because my license is in my Microsoft Account, and is automatically retrieved and activated when I sign in
On the Select Location to Install Windows page…
… My primary NVMe drive (C drive) is “Disk 0”
… There are several partitions on “Disk 0”
… I select each Disk 0 Partition and click “Delete Partition” until there is only 1 “Disk 0” and it is unallocated.
I take care because I have a 2nd drive, “Disk 1” and once I accidentally deleted it!
I select Disk 0 unallocated and then click “Next” at the bottom
It will install and reboot a couple of times.
Be sure to select the correct Region for your Microsoft Account
Once you sign in, and set your PIN, it starts asking about preferences…
… Just before it reaches the desktop for the first time during the install process, I unplug my ethernet cable to avoid Windows Update installing NVIDIA or Chipset drivers.
8. Windows initial setup - before connecting internet
With a fresh install of Windows 11, I do the following:
I disable Hibernation because Hibernation is constantly trying to write the contents of RAM to disk, in an attempt to avoid losing data if the system crashes. I don’t want all that overhead or wear so I turn it off:
Open CMD as Admin and enter:
powercfg.exe /hibernate off
I disable:
System >
… Notifications > Additional Settings > Suggestions, Tips OFF
… Power > Sleep = Never
… Power (I leave mine set at the default, Balanced)
… Nearby Sharing = OFF
… Clipboard history = OFF
Apps >
… Startup Apps > OneDrive, Teams = OFF
… Resume = OFF … not sure many people notice this one
Privacy & Security >
… Recommendations & offers = OFF
… Inking & Typing = OFF
… Diagnostics > Optional = OFF
… Search > everything = OFF
Microsoft Edge…
… Privacy > Help Improve, and ‘Allow Microsoft’ … OFF
… Copilot > OFF
… Start > Automatically open Edge when you sign in to Windows > OFF
… System & Performance >
… System > Startup Boost > OFF
… System > Continue running in background > OFF
… Performance > Preload > OFF
Then in Settings
Windows Update > Pause
Windows Update > Advanced > Delivery Optimization > Downloads from other devices > Off
9. Install Chipset and drivers, configure monitors
Install Chipset driver, reboot
Install LAN, Wifi, Bluetooth drivers, reboot
Install NVIDIA driver and app, reboot
I check Settings > Display > and set resolution and refresh rate 120
I check NVIDIA CP for proper config
10. Connect to Internet and update Win + MS Store
Connect for first time to Internet
Settings > Windows Update > Resume, and let it run, reboot
MS Store App > Downloads > Check for Updates > there are a LOT, like Game Services, etc that always need updates, let it run
I restore my cooling profiles, etc.
I sign in to Xbox App - which then does its own update
11. Stock Benchmark, and MSFS
I really like HWInfo, so I can check CPU clock, voltage, temps, etc. and if you use it with an AMD processor, I suggest in Settings > enable “Snapshot CPU Polling” (so polling the AMD sensors doesn’t itself use more resources).
I do a few basic Cinebench, Furmark, Superposition and 3DMark tests at stock settings to make sure things are stable, have a few baseline numbers for the current install, to compare after tuning.
I install MSFS
Settings > Displays > Graphics > I add MSFS and set to use NVIDIA GPU
I open MSFS and spend about 10 minutes re-creating my keyboard and controller settings. I leave the Settings at default to do a few tests
I have come up with 2 ‘standard’ scenarios I use to get a sense of how things are working: C172 at a gate at KTEB, and A330 at KJFK, I usually take a few screen shots for later comparison
12. I optimize BIOS
Only after I’m sure everything is working, and I have some baseline benchmark numbers, do I tune BIOS.
I’m on AMD, so I enable EXPO, PBO, and apply a modest undervolt to keep things cool and allow for boost clock. There is a whole thread on techniques for this.
13. Test for stability
I test with Cinebench for stability, and compare to stock
I test with Furmark, and SuperPosition as well, sometimes 3D Mark
I re-test MSFS, still at stock settings, and once I’m confident the PC is running well, then I start to customize MFS
