MSFS Packages folder on both C&D drives

[mtr75 653]

Thread title says it all. Not sure how this happened, but I noticed it now that I've tried to install my first livery. Here are the paths:

C:\Users\mtr_n\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe
D:\Users\mtr_n\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe

The sim is installed on the D drive.

The difference between the folders on the C and D drive lead me to believe that the sim is reading everything off the C drive (remember, sim is installed on D drive). Here are the contents of the two LocalCache folders:

C drive:

Folders:
Facilities
Packages
PC
SceneryCache
SceneryIndexes
SimObjects

Files:
Cameras.cfg
Content.xml
FlightSimulator.cfg
GRANTEDREWARDS.BIN
ROLLINGCACHE.CCC
SimConnect.xml
UserCrg.opt

D drive:

Packages

In the Packages folder on the D drive there is an Official->OneStore folder with a boatload of asobo and fs-base and microsoft folders.

So I kind of get the feeling that the sim is installed on the D drive, some of the files and folders are on the D drive Packages, but *most* (99%) of the Packages content is on the C drive. And though I'm not an expert in these matters at all, something tells me that ain't right.

Questions:
Am I correct in assuming that I should have one Packages folder with all this stuff in the same place, and not split on two drives?
Am I correct that it should all be on the same drive that the sim is on?
Can having it split like this cause performance issues?  (I'm guessing yes)
How can I fix this? Can I copy and paste files and folders and then change some settings in the sim to direct it towards the D drive? Or am I going to have to reinstall the whole thing?

I'd rather do it right at this point than half-donkey it and have problems.

Many thanks in advance for any advice!

[vgbaron 3,731]

I have exactly the same with my C & F drives. Pretty sure what you are seeing is the symbolic link structure that MS needs. Regardless of where you install, symlinks will be put on the C drive. The only way to avoid this is to allow the actual default install.

I wouldn't worry about it.  If you reinstall and put the sim on D you will still get the links on C.

Vic

[mtr75 653]

Thanks Vic, I really appreciate the answer! Gives me peace of mind.

[cianpars 1,231]

I've installed msfs on a second SSD, but i'm not sure how much of the install has gone onto the C drive.  A bit of a pain if I need to reinstall Windows.

I have bought a 1 TB M.2 SSD and intend to clone my MSFS 250 gb SSD on to it when it arrives next week. It will be interesting to see how much the increased transfer rate improves performance and loading times.  Anyone else using M.2 drives?

[turbomax 3,343]

you could check transfer rates with task manager/ressource monitor and then compare SSD vs. m.2. it depends what transfer speed your SSD/m.2 is rated at. I have both drive types, but have not tested yet, and I doubt you'll feel a difference in fps during flight. re-loading of scenery data happens gradually as you fly, not all at once, except at initial program start. might be slightly different for low flying fighter jets, at supersonic speeds but who would want that in MSFS 🙂

 

Edited January 2, 2021 by turbomax

[desbean 357]

If you look in the folders on the C drive you will find there is very little to nothing inside them besides small cfg and idx files. FSX had the same deal but in a different location. I have the same on folders on my C drive and the total of all the files is only about 10-MB. My install is on D. Some people using cache have a large file in there, not sure about that, I don't use a cache but when I did I specified it to be on a different drive.

Edited January 2, 2021 by desbean