This question has been on the back of my mind ever since the beta:

Is there a logical reason for having the installation path be: x:/user/username/appdata/local/packages/crazylongdirectorynamethatlookslikeapassword&wkey8z931#(#)(*@^&../

Why not X:/Program Files/MSFS/

This isn't a rhetorical question - I'm actually curious if there is something about the way that MSFS is packaged that warrants or necessitates installing it in that path. It certainly causes a few headaches - especially since the community folder is something that is meant to be accessed by mere mortals on a regular basis. Some addons like AIG actually encounter the 256 character limit on path names and require registry edits and/or symlinks to function properly as a result. 

I'm guessing this is a windows store thing? Similar to the steamapps path? Good lord Microsoft, you already have folders for applications that you yourself created - why not put program files in the program files directory? Is there some architectural or security related reason to use such a cryptic path? Why does the directory look like an API key? 

Have people encountered problems with changing the install to a shorter path? I recall this causing problems during the beta. 

To make it easier, once you get to the folder you can add it to your file explorer Quick view, and pin it to your Taskbar or desktop if you wish. Saves you the trip. 

The free Addon linker is even a better way to manage your add-ons. 

Also AIG has a setting in it (during install?) to circumvent the issue

Edited January 7, 20224 yr by OneOfMany

It has to do with the way Windows installs and keeps track of MS Store applications. Steam is similar, it needs to keep track of apps it installs.

For MSFS, during installation, one does have the option to install the large amount of data (the "Official" and "Community" folders) to a location of your choice. It is highly recommended that at the "Installation Manager" screen, one browses to a nice short path, such as C:\MSFS, or if you have a second drive such as an SSD or NvME drive D, use the path D:\MSFS. Doing that means that your community folder will be C:\MSFS\Community (or D:\MSFS\Community).

The one caveat to that is that anytime the sim wants to install an update, one MUST check the path shown on the Installation Manager screen, and if not correct, browse to the correct path.

...jim