https://www.flightsimulator.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-release-times/

If you purchased the simulator via the Microsoft Store, you will be able to start downloading MSFS on a rolling release depending on your timezone. Please identify your country below to see what time the sim will unlock for you.

If you purchased the simulator via Steam, you will be able to download at 04:00 UTC ( August 18, 12:00am EST) universally across all countries.

(click link for country/timezone listing)

Even though I'm almost afraid to say it, I'm glad I bought it from the MS Store. Through the launcher I'm able to select whichever drive I want to install to, so right now, It looks like I'm right in my predictions that steam is not a optimal platform for the launch itself. However, it will only vary by a few hours, and after launchday is over it doesn't matter at all. 

However, now that I will be able to start my download at around midnight my local time, my all-nighter may proceed as planned 😄

Edit: Updated with bold and underline to make my point clear. I am not calling steam a subpar platform, but if your aim is to play MSFS as soon as possible, and you live east of the US, then you have a head start if you got it from MS Store. Also, the MS Store/Steam files you download first (and that has a rolling start in ms store) is only the launcher. Within the launcher you will be able to pick your drive and folder for where you want the game itself to be installed. 

Edited August 17, 20205 yr by Andreas Stangenes

3 minutes ago, Andreas Stangenes said:

Even though I'm almost afraid to say it, I'm glad I bought it from the MS Store. Through the launcher I'm able to select whichever drive I want to install to, so right now, It looks like I'm right in my predictions that steam is not a optimal platform for the launch itself. However, it will only vary by a few hours, and after launchday is over it doesn't matter at all. 

However, now that I will be able to start my download at around midnight my local time, my all-nighter may proceed as planned 😄

Thanks for posting. 

My thoughts exactly.   Im sure Steam is still optimal platform, but now with MS store we can get a few hours head start on the servers

 

Honestly, I don't know why you can conclude universally, that you're were right in your prediction that Steam is not optimal?! That's a personal preference, to be honest.

Yes, it's a little bit later, than MS Store (dependent on where you live), but at least, I'd have it with all my other games. Personally I don't like the Microsoft Store - but again, that's a personal thing. It was even (a little) cheaper on Steam. 🙂

 

4 minutes ago, travelabroad said:

Honestly, I don't know why you can conclude universally, that you're were right in your prediction that Steam is not optimal?! That's a personal preference, to be honest.

Yes, it's a little bit later, than MS Store (dependent on where you live), but at least, I'd have it with all my other games. Personally I don't like the Microsoft Store - but again, that's a personal thing. It was even (a little) cheaper on Steam. 🙂

 

I didn't say universally. I said it was not optimal for launch specifically. I also added that after launch it doesn't matter. 

lol to fly just a few hours earlier..hahaha this is so funny .

i will get it from MS, only because i do not want the steam app running too, and i will get it probably a week or 10 days laters,

why the hurry?

Get a game pass and get it from MS Store and when Steam version is out, uninstall MS Store version and buy from Steam.

Guys, the steam/ms store is only the launcher. In the launcher itself you will be able to specify drive and folder for the 100+ gb download/game itself. 

Thanks for the update, I was waiting to see which would would be available first down here in Australia, seems I'll be going with MS Store after all, hope I don't regret it later. 

20 minutes ago, Andreas Stangenes said:

Even though I'm almost afraid to say it, I'm glad I bought it from the MS Store. Through the launcher I'm able to select whichever drive I want to install to, so right now, It looks like I'm right in my predictions that steam is not a optimal platform for the launch itself. However, it will only vary by a few hours, and after launchday is over it doesn't matter at all. 

However, now that I will be able to start my download at around midnight my local time, my all-nighter may proceed as planned 😄

Weird logic for calling MS Store the optimal launcher. Steam lets you install to a specific path. 

When you select a specific drive other than the Windows drive, when installing software off the MS Store, it dumps the folders in the root of that folder, you aren't allowed to pick a path. 

Edited August 17, 20205 yr by Sethos

18 minutes ago, Andreas Stangenes said:

Even though I'm almost afraid to say it, I'm glad I bought it from the MS Store. Through the launcher I'm able to select whichever drive I want to install to, so right now, It looks like I'm right in my predictions that steam is not a optimal platform for the launch itself. However, it will only vary by a few hours, and after launchday is over it doesn't matter at all. 

However, now that I will be able to start my download at around midnight my local time, my all-nighter may proceed as planned 😄

You can install on every drive you want to install it via Steam. Whats the Problem?

Additionally, you have full access to all files in Steam, not some hidden stuff as via the MS Store.

2 minutes ago, Sethos said:

Weird logic for calling MS Store the optimal launcher. Steam lets you install to a specific path, when you select a specific drive other than the Windows drive, it dumps the folders in the root of that folder, you aren't allowed to pick a path. 

Mine MSFS is already on D Drive SSD all the folders waiting for full install today 17th.

1 minute ago, G-RFRY said:

Mine MSFS is already on D Drive SSD all the folders waiting for full install today 17th.

I'm happy on your behalf 

Edited August 17, 20205 yr by Sethos

Nothing sitting in my root file, but all programs put things in the root of windows even Steam.

1 minute ago, G-RFRY said:

Nothing sitting in my root file, but all programs put things in the root of windows even Steam.

To be frank Raymond, based on that sentence alone, I don't think you understand what is being talked about.