I would like to install and use the latest and greatest MSFS, but cannot sensibly download 100+ Gb on a 6Mb/s  (700Kbytes/sec) internet connection.   The complete programme is apparently available on 10 double layer DVD's from various sources.  Reading some posts on this forum, it would seem that  one needs an XBOX account to activate the simulator - is this a once off event or is it needed every time the simulator is started?  If the latter then there would appear to be an ongoing monthly cost to keep this acccount live - a real killer unless I have misinterpreted the information!!

A further question relates to the need to have disc #1 in a dvd drive in order to operate the simulation - is it correct that if this disc is converted to an ".iso" file on the pc this requirement is bypassed.  I have purpose built a Win 10  mini-ATX dedicated to flight simulation which does not have a permanetly attached DVD drive so would definately prefer not to have this attached during simulation.  What utility programme would be best for preparing the .iso file and how would it be made visible to the simulation instead of the DVD?

I am a retired electronic engineer and have over 1000hours solo on gliders recently, and more than 250 hours dual and solo on DH Chipmunks - albeit over 60 years ago now!!

I would appreciate any guidance that  all you knowledgable pundiits can offer.

OldHand

@OldHand, welcome to AvSim. I've moved your post to the forum most likely to get you an answer.

18 minutes ago, OldHand said:

I would like to install and use the latest and greatest MSFS, but cannot sensibly download 100+ Gb on a 6Mb/s  (700Kbytes/sec) internet connection.   The complete programme is apparently available on 10 double layer DVD's from various sources.  Reading some posts on this forum, it would seem that  one needs an XBOX account to activate the simulator - is this a once off event or is it needed every time the simulator is started?  If the latter then there would appear to be an ongoing monthly cost to keep this acccount live - a real killer unless I have misinterpreted the information!!

A further question relates to the need to have disc #1 in a dvd drive in order to operate the simulation - is it correct that if this disc is converted to an ".iso" file on the pc this requirement is bypassed.  I have purpose built a Win 10  mini-ATX dedicated to flight simulation which does not have a permanetly attached DVD drive so would definately prefer not to have this attached during simulation.  What utility programme would be best for preparing the .iso file and how would it be made visible to the simulation instead of the DVD?

I am a retired electronic engineer and have over 1000hours solo on gliders recently, and more than 250 hours dual and solo on DH Chipmunks - albeit over 60 years ago now!!

I would appreciate any guidance that  all you knowledgable pundiits can offer.

OldHand

Unfortunately, MSFS is an online type sim. All the scenery are stream from Azure server and recommend a 50MB/s. There is an offline style mode but it doesn't look anything like when you are online. Also, MSFS is in active development.  30-40GB update is not uncommon. I think it will stress your internet connection beyond maybe what you are accustom too. 

Edited December 22, 20214 yr by fogboundturtle

I can't be near as much help as many others here but let me start by saying that in my opinion getting the disks would be a waste of time, effort and money.  This is because you will likely have large updates on a regular basis (20 Gig updates).

It is quite possible to download large files on slower connections.  I've done it in the past.  It just takes longer.

An XBox account: first - its free.  second, if you have Win10 you probably have an MS account and from there you just need the XBox app and a 'gamertag' which you can choose but they will happily assign one.

If you can, get faster internet and join the fun.

I installed MSFS on a 6 Mbps connection.. took a long time, but it worked.

Have now upgraded to a 25 Mbps connection and am much happier 🙂

I would agree that the DVDs are not the way to go.

Hi OldHand. As per the above; 

I don’t think MSFS is a goer for you until rural internet speeds catch up with the rest of the UK.

Whilst Xbox accounts are free, installing the sim on dvd is still going to be extremely problematic as once installed it will want to download an enormous update to bring it up to the latest version.

Any idea when/if your area is going to get an internet upgrade?

I bought the Steam Version of MSFS as I was having problems with the MS store bought version and (from Memory) you don't need an Xbox account to get going with the Steam version. However, you would still receive the updates which can be large as they are the same size as the MS version.  I also have a slow internet connection (thought not quite as slow as you) because I live in an Australian country town and we have a copper connection to a local box where Fibers take over and the copper wire is the speed limiting factor. So we are both second class citizens. 

 

  

 

Welcome Oldhand !

No pundit here, just simmers like you 😉 !

The disk version will not spare you huge downloads even to start the sim after you have uploaded all the disks to your HDD/SSD. The sim has evolved a lot since these disks were printed.  Not recommended as others said above.

The sim is sold in two ways : as a standalone downloadable product and there is no subscription fee then or  you can subscribe a Xbox Gamepass which allows you to play it and also play about 100 other games on your PC (and not only on a Xbox) for a fixed monthly subscription. 

For the first solution (standalone) you can buy it with MS at their store or with Steam. I  advise to go with Steam which is much more user-friendly.

Your internet speed is really low not only to download the sim and its regular updates but also to play at a reasonable level of details to enjoy its beauty. The MS servers stream to the users the imagery and some other data in real time. A subjective opinion of course but within the MS specs.

I had a lousy ADSL connection which was not much better than yours (around 5 Mbps).  As the fiber will not come soon to my village I went for a 4G internet connection with my mobile provider to get something around 50 Mbps.  Another solution, depending on where your are located, is to subscribe to Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet. Both have a cost of course.

 

Hi  all,

Thanks for all the good advice you have provided - I'm grateful that you have dissuaded me from the DVD route, I would have had to buy a double layer DVD reader to use them anyway.

Seems my best option is to go for a fibre connection as soon as its viable here and to download from Steam rather than from the Microsoft store.

In the meantime I will continue to use Flightgear as I splashed out on an Alpha Flight Controls yolk - I need to get value for money out of that!!   FG is OK as far mas it goes - but in my view lacking in realism on many of the models.  Having said that, it is a remarkable achievement for a group of very talented programmers but doesn't address bugs and difficulties with any great uurgency.