I have windows 8 and what fixed my problem was getting the UI core download, Downloading micorsoft 4.5 frame network, Running FSX in windows service pack 3 and not as administrator, and fully rebooting my system. I have never experinced a fatal error. Once at KLGA during a storm. FSX had way to much to load and it crashed on me. It happened because I was using Imaginesim KLGA removed it and I didn't get the error.  

Windows 8 64-bit here with zero problems as far as PMDG aircraft are concerned...and very few other FSX add-on problems on the whole. Win 8's been a real performance boost over Win 7 for me (as it should be)...no second thoughts when having it installed on my new rig. FSX resides in its own directory (c:\FSX though its getting its own SSD tonight).

 

I run these without issue on Win 8:

• PMDG 747 (8i), J41, MD-11, and NGX. (FS2Crew on J41 and NGX)
• Various MilViz jets/props
• VRS Superbug and TacPack
• A2A B377/Accu-Sim
• Shockwave lights
• Accu-Feel
• OpusFSX
• UT2
• AS2012 (until I installed Opus)
• GEX
• UTX
• FSGenesis
• Aivlasoft EFB
• AirHauler (Heavy use)
• FSCaptain (Heavy use)
• FSBuild
• IdealFlight

 

The only add-on's I've ever had issues with:

• EZDok (I seem to recall it being sporadic...replaced it with OpusFSX and forgot about it)
• Both versions of the Coolsky MD-80. I seem to recall disabling Win 8's indexing feature solved the problems. I still fly them.

I DO use the uiautomationcore.dll fix in the FSX directory and have had no UI-related crashes since putting it in...I recall having a few until I did that. There are a few versions floating around out there...might be worth trying out a few to see if that fixes it for you (away from my gaming rig otherwise I'd tell you the version I have).

 

I disagree with the assessment that Windows 8 isn't a gaming platform and is only meant for mobile. It's just a amalgamation of MS's misguided vision of mobile and desktop working together and once you get past the Metro interface on the front porch, it's pretty Win 7-like...though faster it seems. I rather like it...and this is coming from a hardcore OSX user, lol. Hopefully, 8.1 will clear the air a bit more.

I'm with Burnspot -- I use Win8 64-bit Pro, and there's special voodoo you have to learn to make it behave.  A few things to keep in mind:

 

• Make sure the DirectX9 install goes correctly when installing any aircraft that uses it. Win8 is pre-DX11 unfriendly.
• Make sure you have Simconnect installed, and the right version, and don't be afraid to go to Control Panel and issue a Repair on it periodically.
• Make sure you have the relevant version of .NET Framework installed on your PC (should have been done, in part, with FSX SP2/Acceleration install, but only up to a point; some add-ons use later .NET Framework but not Win8 .NET 4.5).  Again, this is usually installed with the aircraft, but it _can_ get corrupted and then it's a particularly persnickety thing to fix if it's pre-4.5 (do-able, you just have to research it and follow instructions carefully).
• Make sure you're NOT installing into the default C:/Program Files(x86) directory, or even C:/Program Files; Win8 guards these folders aggressively and considers everything put in there suspect to continual NSA and CIA and FBI investigation, which makes actually doing anything with it nigh impossible (I exaggerate, to be colorful).  Simply: Win8 is paranoid/super-secure in its treatment of standard Program Files directories, to prevent mass user chaos with buggy, security-violated crap downloaded from the Internet.  You have to circumvent this security paranoia for FSX by installing it.... Elsewhere.
• Related: for similar reasons: Run as Administrator.  Make sure your FSX directory is enabled for Full Access (learn about file and folder permissions and security editing).  If a program can't read or write a file it needs to because Win8 Security Cop Says No, you're in trouble.  Make sure the cops are only policing the necessary part of their beat on your system.
• virus Software: necessary, unless you want the Chinese, Russians, NSA, Filipinos, Ethiopians, Somalians, Hungarians, Portuguese, Edward Snowden etc. partying on your computer unbeknownst to you, thus stealing bandwidth and disc access along with a lot of other stuff.  If nothing else, this slows FSX down and leaves you with ghost skeleton planes.  Learn how to exclude the FSX directories and folders and files properly from the types of scans that might occur or interfere with FSX read/write/access while in-flight.  Periodically scan these folders manually, even so, to make sure nothing has gone wild.

All this and more is in the PMDG manual. 

 

There are even things like the Windows 8 sound system that have had top-notch developers scratching their heads for awhile over very convoluted changes they have to make to deal with what MS did to the sound system on Win8 (again, for reasons, but reasons that go counter to legacy use and development practice -- and personally I think the new architecture sucks compared with the old, but then I'm an audiophile).  I fully believe this might be a factor in one persistent glitch for those of us who use Coolsky's Super-80 Pro on a Win8 system.  It's non-trivial effort to accommodate these changes, when they're discovered and prove necessary.

 

Win8 is like one giant puzzle, just consider it part of the fun of running FSX, and yes, there are good reasons -- other than a dearth of people and audience for testing and purchase -- why most developers are hesitant to spend time and money on supporting it officially.

 

If you can't work around it, it's not the developer's fault if they've made it clear, as PMDG does, that they are not supporting Win8 in its current state.

 

Re: the audio stuff: old, but good intro to Xaudio and Xaudio2 from the guys spearheading the effort at MS, for good reason:

 

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/131931/sponsored_feature_an_introduction_.php?print=1

 

Had the honor in my former career to have met with both of them (Brian and Frank). Smart folks.

 

Not clear who uses/can use Xaudio inside the FSX environment; does it constrain development to use of DirectSound?

 

Okay, sorry, update, for extra giggles/fascination: link to an old (9/2012) thread on gamedev.net re: how to use Xaudio2, as exemplary of how much fun software developers often have (not just with this system):

 

http://www.gamedev.net/topic/630947-what-do-you-use-for-audio-in-directx-applications/

 

Brian Schmidt chimes in here, if you're curious.  I present all this only to remind people of how complex this stuff ends up being.

I cannot seem to get the FS2004 PMDG 747-400 installed so it works in Windows 8. How do I install it correctly and please give me step by step as I am not a whiz at this.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Ed Ryan

I cannot seem to get the FS2004 PMDG 747-400 installed so it works in Windows 8. How do I install it correctly and please give me step by step as I am not a whiz at this.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Ed Ryan

Did you (right-click) run as administrator?

How do I run as administrator? Steps please.

 

Thanks!

 

Ed

^{Also where do I need to place the FS2004 files?}

 

^Thks

 

^Ed

How do I run as administrator? Steps please.

 

Thanks!

 

Ed

^{Also where do I need to place the FS2004 files?}

 

^Thks

 

^Ed

I assume you have FS9 installed in programfiles? 

If yes,it;s a good idea to uninstall it from there, and create a C:\FS9 directory and install there instead.

Then for PMDG aircraft, right-click on the setup.exe file and select Run as administrator. and it should work from there. 

My hard drive dies today, so I was in store and now I have new hdd and new windows 8.1 x64 installed.

Everything I need working fine, except 737ngx (clean install on new OS).

When I selected it from aircrafts - it's inactive. No start countdown, no interact actions on any panel or gauge.

I have a lot of tries to set some settings (run as admin, run as win7, run as winxp, e t.c. ) - no effect.

It make me sad, cause I'm not able to run windows 7 on this PC (I need win8 for my work).

 

So, if anyone will found solution - please, les us know.  FSX the only one game I use to play (less than few hours a week).

I have the same problem after updating to 8.1. 8 RTM was working, after update all my PMDG stuff just died. I reinstalled NGX, but no go. A bit disappointed that I cannot enjoy my 777 and NGX. Everything else seems to work. 

Working for me with a clean install of Win 8.1 

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/ss/windows-8-clean-install-part-1.htm

I have the same problem after updating to 8.1. 8 RTM was working, after update all my PMDG stuff just died. I reinstalled NGX, but no go. A bit disappointed that I cannot enjoy my 777 and NGX. Everything else seems to work. 

 

I must correct my earlier post as it was all my fault. I failed to notice the activation dialog after re-install. After activation everything works just fine.