Do you have to "babysit" the download?

[spilok 1,139]

I was wondering if I could start the download here on the East Coast at Midnight, and go to bed!  Are there issues and questions along the way that makes it necessary to be at your computer for the entire download?  Is the download reliable enough that once you get it started, it is self-sustaining and continues until it is finished?  What has your experience been with this large download?

Also, if I decide to just download it tomorrow morning, is it possible to let it download in the background while you still use your computer for other things?  

I would like to have a flawless download experience, obviously, but I'm interested in the amount of intervention needed once the download starts.  PLUS, I'd like to get some sleep tonight!

Thanks,

Stan

Edited August 17, 2020 by spilok

[Chock 17,769]

I had to, it was constantly crashing to desktop, locking up etc. It's taken nearly 11 hours up to now and still isn't complete, when it should have taken about five and a half, and that's because of the cack installation process which is so unstable. Using other stuff on your computer seemed to prompt one or two crashes to desktop for the download interface. Several times it would not even recommence the download, because there was no GUI to enable it to happen (there is a fix for this listed on the new MSFS web forum, but that's only just been posted, so it was no use to me).

Edited August 17, 2020 by Chock

[cwburnett 1,809]

I did not have to. Took about 45 mins.

[FrankR409 514]

2 minutes ago, Chock said:

I had to, it was constantly crashing to desktop, locking up etc. It's taken nearly 11 hours up to now and still isn't complete, when it should have taken about five and a half, and that's because of the cack installation process which is so unstable.

 

2 minutes ago, Chock said:

I had to, it was constantly crashing to desktop, locking up etc. It's taken nearly 11 hours up to now and still isn't complete, when it should have taken about five and a half, and that's because of the cack installation process which is so unstable.

You are still installing?

[Chock 17,769]

1 minute ago, FrankR409 said:

 

You are still installing?

Yes,

[FrankR409 514]

1 minute ago, Chock said:

Yes,

The Kiribati coffee shops have fast internet, maybe you could go plug in over at one of them...get a Latte and take in the scenery.

[Marco Manieri 194]

I had a CTD when I inadvertently bounched a button on my Logitech Wireless F710 controller.

I think it popped up as a new controller in Windows and this crashed MSFS. This is an issue that has been already reported.

[hervef 47]

Will try in my own timezone at midnight utc+2 (in 20 minutes), see for 15 minutes and then go to sleep for 6 hours.... and wake up around 6.30 utc+2 to see if download continue... 

[OneOfMany 317]

Was fortunate. Started download, teak oiled my front door, came back and hit go

Ymmv

[MrSpeaker 122]

Kinda off topic but can I install in on a separate dedicated drive? Not sure if this works the same way as fsx and p3d that Im  used to. Just want to make sure

[GeoSkyman 59]

First couple of attempts To install the mouse cursor behaved mad, and had CTD the PC stack. After all now, finally checked for updates and now is installing. 
im sure with 30 MB’s will take 10 hours

[GeoSkyman 59]

6 minutes ago, MrSpeaker said:

Kinda off topic but can I install in on a separate dedicated drive? Not sure if this works the same way as fsx and p3d that Im  used to. Just want to make sure

Sure I install it on d: SSD same as my p3D

[ComSimPilot 623]

10 GB downloaded so far...80 more to go 😑

 

46 minutes ago, MrSpeaker said:

Kinda off topic but can I install in on a separate dedicated drive? Not sure if this works the same way as fsx and p3d that Im  used to. Just want to make sure

 

Yes, when you click "Install" at the Microsoft Store page it gives you a selection of your available drive to install. I selected my new nvme drive and it installs there, or at least I hope it will..

[NightOfDreams 370]

Download window crashed when I plugged in a different USB mouse. Thank God I was only 400 mb into the download when I realized that happens. Since then haven't touched the laptop at all and it's been good... only 45 minutes to go after waiting all frickin day!

Edited August 17, 2020 by NightOfDreams

[ChaoticBeauty 6,692]

I didn't have to so far, but I would urge you not to pause the download and close the client. I rebooted my system to prepare it for an overnight download, after safely pausing the download and shutting down the game, and then the client attempted to set up my experience and load the game without being fully downloaded. The set-up prompts were full of gibberish and after passing all the steps, the screen would go black with only the loading bar slowly filling, only to do nothing once it was full. I had to find the installation files and delete what I think were some configuration files for the download to resume where it left off.

By far the worst download client/launcher I've ever seen. Very disappointing. This should never have left Beta. Also avoid plugging or unplugging any USB devices, as it will cause the client to freeze and eventually shut down on its own.