Hi Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to move flight sim 2020 from my old dell computer to my new dell computer? It is the steam version. I only want to move flight sim 2020 Steam and related files without having to REDOWNLOAD the whole flight sim program again. Going to a faster and larger SSD boot drive. Thanks in Advance. Al

There are a couple of ways you can do this.

1. Remove the MSFS drive from the old PC, fit it into new PC and copy the MSFS files to the new SSD
2. Fit new SSD into old PC , copy MSFS files and then transfer SSD to new PC
3. Copy MSFS onto an external HD and then transfer to new SSD (will be slower & also adds a step: old drive > ext drive > new SSD)

In all cases you will use Steam to manage & move the files, instructions here:

https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4BD4-4528-6B2E-8327

For example lets say you fit the drive from the old PC with MSFS into your new one.

1. After you install Windows on the new SSD download Steam. Sign in and ensure that it has designated the new SSD as a Library Folder location. If not you can go into Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders and make a new lib folder. For example C:\MSFS 2020
2. You then need to go into Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders.
3. Now point Steam to the EXISTING MSFS installation on the old drive. It will take some time. 
4. Once that is done go back to Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders, select MSFS from the list and hit the MOVE button. 
5. Select the new SSD library location. Its a large transfer so it will take time. 

Thats how I did it when I moved my games.  I'm sure you'll get more replies also, maybe others will have a faster way. I've never tried moving Steam games using Windows Explorer file manager so I dont know if that would be faster/slower. 

 

It probably can be done, but personally I think it's safer to just backup your Community folder and copy that to your new PC, and then just start a fresh install and leave it for a few hours. Unless you're on a metered connection I don't see the point in all the extra faff required and the potential issues which might arise from mis-copied files.

1 hour ago, Tom Wright said:

It probably can be done, but personally I think it's safer to just backup your Community folder and copy that to your new PC, and then just start a fresh install and leave it for a few hours. Unless you're on a metered connection I don't see the point in all the extra faff required and the potential issues which might arise from mis-copied files.

Sounds like the most fool proof way to do it without taking chances on having to  troubleshoot a problem on a brand new PC. 

Just move the official and community folders to the new drive and point the MSFS installer to them.

Edited November 5, 20214 yr by Tuskin38

5 hours ago, Tuskin38 said:

Just move the official and community folders to the new drive and point the MSFS installer to them.

I have read this before... but what exactly is meant by this?

Are you supposed to move the parent folder "Packages" or how does this work..?

Not sure how else you can point to "them"..

6 hours ago, Bert Pieke said:

I have read this before... but what exactly is meant by this?

Are you supposed to move the parent folder "Packages" or how does this work..?

Not sure how else you can point to "them"..

Make a folder on the drive you want the MSFS data files to be on (for example, G:\MSFS2020). Copy the existing Community and Official folders to the new folder.

When installing MSFS, at the "checking for updates" screen (may be called something else if it is a brand new install) you will be given the option, at the bottom of the screen, to select where you want the data files to be installed. Browse and select the folder created above (G:\MSFS2020). Continue on with the install. The installer will see the Official folder and its data and will not download all the data files, only those that may be missing or in need of an update.

By the way, this option should be checked every time an update is released to ensure that the update will be applied to the existing installation.

...jim

Note: I have no idea if this will work if the MSStore version was originally installed to the default location due to possible security issues. It should work without issue with the Steam version.

Edited November 6, 20214 yr by JimBrown

be  just as  easy  just to  download  again might take  abit  longer  least you know  you will have  a fresh  install  again

Thanks everyone, I have everything working- but I did have to reinstall into the new drive.  I uninstalled the MSFS before reinstalling-thinking it would take everything out of the old SSD. BUT the new version of MSFS goes to the older SSDfor the config files.  I even changed the name on the old drive, and yet it reated a new MSFS folder and that's where the userconfig file along with other config file are kept.  I would prefer everything to be on the new SSD. Any suggestions?