This is the error I get after doing a systems restore:

"Microsoft Flight Simulator can’t open because it cannot be found. The storage device might be missing or disconnected."

As best I can tell, all the files are there.. but I can no longer start the program. ARRRG..

The MS Store shows MSFS as installed, but the PLAY button leads me to this error message.

Anyone have any ideas on what to do next?

Hit your machine with a hammer....cause that's about where I'm at with all these CTDs.

But seriously...have you tried Zendesk?  I'm thinking a registry edit possibly

If you have the SDK installed you could try using the launcher tool to start MSFS 2020, which I think bypasses the Windows launcher. fsdevmodelauncher.exe executable located in the Tools\bin folder of the SDK.

I don't know the link to download the SDK if you don't have it already, because you get it from inside the game after you enable developer mode in the Settings. I'm sure somebody has the link though.

The MS Store...again.

You may ask this guy if, and if so how, he got it running again

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/microsoft-flight-simulator-was-not-found-and-cannot-be-opened-the-storage-device-may-be-missing-or-disconnected/304852/2

(IFF he got it running again)

Kind regards, Michael

What ever you do:

DO NOT RESET THE APP

I tried this and now MSFS has disappeared from my system and MS Store.

31 minutes ago, ryanbatcund said:

But seriously...have you tried Zendesk? 

I did report it... but then tried the RESET  ☹️

The system restore destroyed the symbolic links. Too late now but I would have tried a repair rather than reset.

Looks like a reinstall is in the offing. I've had to do one with every update - thankful for a fast internet connection.  🙂 

7 minutes ago, vgbaron said:

The system restore destroyed the symbolic links. Too late now but I would have tried a repair rather than reset.

Looks like a reinstall is in the offing. I've had to do one with every update - thankful for a fast internet connection.  🙂 

I tried a Repair first, it did nothing.

How do I reinstall?

The MS Store does not show it in my library anymore.

Edited November 6, 20205 yr by Bert Pieke

Just now, Bert Pieke said:

I tried a Repair first, it did nothing.

How do I reinstall?

The MS Store does not show it in my library anymore.

I believe you first have to reinstall digital ownership. Hopefully then the main will show.

 

Vic

5 minutes ago, vgbaron said:

I believe you first have to reinstall digital ownership. Hopefully then the main will show.

 

Vic

There is no trace of that either..

Maybe another restore is in order..

19 minutes ago, Bert Pieke said:

There is no trace of that either..

Maybe another restore is in order..

try this - there are some clickable links in the response that might help.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/xbox/forum/all/i-appear-to-have-lost-ownership-of-my-digital-copy/d529c6c9-81aa-4a67-98e9-7e3f6d09794e

Good luck!

edit: be sure you are logged on with the correct MS account.

OK, next step in the saga.

Wsreset did not reset the store contents, but logging into the Internet version of the store did.

So now, the MS Store indeed recognizes that I own MSFS (again).

Started the reinstall (95 GB) with my purchases of two carenado aircraft to follow, no doubt.

This time I elected to install MSFS on the H drive, rather than on C and Move later as I did first time.  With some luck, that gets rid of the symbolic links altogether.. we shall see.

Edited November 6, 20205 yr by Bert Pieke

Sorry you have to go through all this Bert!  Ugh!  Hope you get it up and running soon.

Got the basic flightsim running... now for the added content 🙂

On 11/6/2020 at 12:17 PM, Bert Pieke said:

This is the error I get after doing a systems restore:

"Microsoft Flight Simulator can’t open because it cannot be found. The storage device might be missing or disconnected."

As best I can tell, all the files are there.. but I can no longer start the program. ARRRG..

The MS Store shows MSFS as installed, but the PLAY button leads me to this error message.

Anyone have any ideas on what to do next?

I had this same problem when attempting to move my dedicated MSFS drive to a new and faster drive.  Did the usual thing: image copy old drive content to the new drive, the change the drive letters so the new drive has the same letter as the old.  All look perfectly as it should, but now I got that error.  All I can think is the MSFS is using some internal drive id to find its install drive and ignores the drive letter.  Now if they are so stupid to be using the drive number, that really blows because if you happen to remove a drive that can change all the remaining drives' numbers.  Long story short in my case, which included not-so fun and games with the MS store as well, was a complete internet reinstall on my new drive.  There is something very brittle about a MSFS install, perhaps DRM related, but I've learned once you install it DON'T ever mess with it, which you found even includes restoring from a backup...ugh!!!  The WT_ MS response definitely applies here!

Edited November 8, 20205 yr by TheFamilyMan