Is Steam still the way to go (vs. Marketplace)? Same question for add-ons - any advatange in getting them via the Marketplace?

Sufficient dedicated SSD size assuming I plan to get many add-ons (mostly airliners and airports)? For P3D 1 TB was sufficient.

Thanks for any feedback

Steam is still the best way to go.

1TB SSD is sufficient.

Both Steam and the MS Store offer advantages, there's no real clear winner; pick which one suits you best.

I would recommend Steam. While I have used apps from the Microsoft Store and not had problems on my PC I have seen numerous others with issues with the MS version. Steam always updates the client reliably and imo is a nice hub for all my other games too.

The only things I have downloaded from the in-game marketplace are the G1000 NXi and some world updates. If the rest of the products install like those then I'd say there's no issues with getting addons in-game. I make the conscious decision though to buy direct when I can to support the developers, I already own game pass anyway so Microsoft gets there cut from me regardless.

For storage 1TB is easily plenty. Since I don't use rolling or manual cache my installation plus addons (including 737/A320/FBW/etc) takes up less than 200GB.

Worth to mention I've never used steam. What is game pass?

 

 

Game pass gives access to a bunch of games. Mainly Microsoft owned studios. So MFS is on there. If you've never used game pass before there is a $1 signup for the first month. Really good if you just want to try MFS and don't want to commit to buying it. If you get MFS through game pass it will download through Microsoft Store. So also a good way if you want to see if your MS has any issues. You can then cancel game pass after the first month and just buy MFS outright if you don't want to keep game pass.

8 minutes ago, suncoastflyer said:

Game pass gives access to a bunch of games. Mainly Microsoft owned studios. So MFS is on there. If you've never used game pass before there is a $1 signup for the first month. Really good if you just want to try MFS and don't want to commit to buying it. If you get MFS through game pass it will download through Microsoft Store. So also a good way if you want to see if your MS has any issues. You can then cancel game pass after the first month and just buy MFS outright if you don't want to keep game pass.

Thanks!

3 hours ago, Shomron said:

For P3D 1 TB was sufficient.

Don't make the mistake I did if you're into addons for MSFS..  I thought 1TB would be more than enough storage for flight sim, but smashed through that in 12 months (current game install plus addons is sitting at 1.3TB)

Think big for storage if you're a bit of an addon collector!  

2 hours ago, Shomron said:

Worth to mention I've never used steam. What is game pass?

If you've never used Steam and don't have the Steam client installed, then either way is good. The only advantage to having the Microsoft store version that I can see is that if you have a Xbox then you can also use it there. Both Steam and MS Store versions are basically wrappers to get the game running. Both versions also require you to have a Xbox ID.

If you do get the Steam version and ever have problems, do not run the File Integrity Check (something Steam users are use to doing with other titles) as it will cause a complete reinstall. Other than that Steam seems to have less problems.

Which ever version you get, install it to a custom location not far off the root path (so that you never run into too long filepath/filename problems) Also, Microsoft versions that people let install to the default path are sometimes completely locked and people are then unable to modify anything or even move community mods out once put there.

Either install will place files in a few different locations, but the main folder you install to is where the bulk of the files go (mine is currently 231GB). Addons can add to that. My addon folder is currently  34.22GB (some people's are much larger and some are much smaller). I recommend that you use MS Addon Linker to handle/control any mods you do get.

Steam, just for the fact that you can actually install ReShade without it being a massive headache. 

48 minutes ago, The Moose said:

Don't make the mistake I did if you're into addons for MSFS..  I thought 1TB would be more than enough storage for flight sim, but smashed through that in 12 months (current game install plus addons is sitting at 1.3TB)

Think big for storage if you're a bit of an addon collector!  

Thanks can I start with 1 and then add another one if needed just for the additional add-ons?

3 hours ago, suncoastflyer said:

I have seen numerous others with issues with the MS version

This is from OPERATOR ERROR.  No problems ever using the MS version, and that includes an initial install, two reinstalls, and all updates.

1 TB is a lot.

What is your usual habits in simming ? Do you collect lots of aircraft, lots of liveries and lots of sceneries ?

You will not need things like orthos and such like for other sims, which need a lot of space. This data will all be streamed while you fly, from the Microsoft servers.

The Sim in Premium Deluxe is ~130 GB, every second month there is a new world update, which can add ~5 GB (usually ~100 new POI buildings and a couple of handcrafted airports).

A large payware aircraft with a couple of liveries can be like 5 GB. Like the BAe 146 with all variants and all factory liveries installed. My DC-6 install with 5 liveries needs about 1.5 GB.

A really large payware airport can be ~2 GB. Many are far less.

Meshes can be huge, but if they are worth it is very debated, I would say. I don't think they are worth the hassle. I have an Alaska Mesh which is 10 GB but also has an airport included. Well, I don't really see a difference to the default Mesh tbh. Not gonna buy any more. Also aven't seen any new ones being released lately, propably they are not exactly top-selling products.

Just to give you some rough numbers to calculate with.

 

 

Can't speak about the Steam version. I don't have issues with the version bought at Microsoft Store.

However, this thing gets updated every month. Mandatory.
I have a checklist I run to make my updates hassle free. Best to make sure before updating MSFS that one updates WIndows, updates all app in the MS STore, renames the community folder, deletes context.xml and such things.

If I do it by my checklist, I don't have any problems with the mandatory monthly updates.

Oh one difference: if you buy something in the ingame marketplace, MS takes a cut. If you hae the steam version, first Steam gets an cut and then MS gets a cut. So devs get propably less from stuff sold on steam via the ingame marketplace.

Edited May 21, 20224 yr by darshonaut

Mine sits comfortably on a dedicated 500GB SSD, it's currently using 280GB. That's with all the world updates, 5-6 add on airports and about the same number of add on aircraft (including the PMDG 737 and the Fenix A320).

You don't really need 1TB of space for MSFS, as gone are the days of huge ortho sceneries. As all the world scenery is streamed, the only add on scenery you need (IMO) is airports, but even there the default ones in many places are leaps ahead of previous generation sims.

Regards to Steam or Windows store - up to your preference really. I have the Windows store version and have never had any problems with updates or anything. What's nice is that since I own an Xbox I can also download it to that for no extra cost - which you couldn't if you have the Steam version. Other than that there's not really any difference between the two.

I use Steam and it works well enough and I can use my Steam wallet to buy stuff in the marketplace. 

 

Unless you're going nuts with add-ons, 1TB should be fine. I have my MSFS and DCS on the same 1TB NVME, though my DCS install (Steam) is significantly bigger than my MSFS.