Have any of you ever switched from the FS2020 disk version to the downloadable  retail version? And if so, how did you go about? (Fyi, I owe the disc version of FS2020)

I am asking because I am planning on buying a new computer in the near future, one which certainly won't have a disc drive installed. I would very much hate to turn all 10 FS2020 discs into ISO-files, transfer these files to the new contraption and then install FS2020 from there. I can imagine, as I have a valid product key, that it must be possible to connect to the MS Store with the new computer and download and install FS2020 from there. Would save me tons of time. Or am I wrong and wouldn't this be possible?

Hi there,

No way in my understanding, according to MSFS FAQs:

Retail disc version - How to uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator – Microsoft Flight Simulator Support (zendesk.com)

Cheers,

 

Maybe this copy and paste from a conversation will shed some light. - 

 

" NeoKingRthur
Co-pilot
May '21
I think it’ll just be easier to just install directly from the Microsoft Store or Steam. :man_shrugging:t2:
Overtime, the DVD version will become so outdated as more and more updates gets introduced in the future.

In the end, you can do DVD swapping to install all 10 DVDs, only for you to redownload 190 GB of Updates after you’re done. Which is technically the whole game anyway, that you can just go ahead and straight download the 190 GB through the Store, and skip the whole DVD installation.

yindengxie
May '21
@Player532611505,
THANKS for your help!

I will try it.

yindengxie
May '21
@Neo4316,
THANKS for your info.

If I install directly from the Microsoft Store or Steam, must I pay it again?

NeoKingRthur
Co-pilot
May '21
Well that’s the thing to check. Ideally, the serial number that you have redeemed when installing the DVD version the first time should be locked onto your Microsoft Account.

So check in the Microsoft Store for MSFS using the same account, if you have it already set to Owned, then you should be able to download the app without needing to pay for it again… But just like in my previous posts. I’m just guessing here.

yindengxie
May '21
@Neo4316,

THANKS for your help!

I will try it.

yindengxie
May '21
@Neo4316，@Player532611505

Thank you very much for your enthusiastic help and support.

Neo4316: you are right ! I have registered an account in the Microsoft Store with MSFS DVD, so I downloaded the update file from the Internet. Now, MSFS is fully restored and everything is working normally.

Thank you again for your great support.

Dengxie  "

 

I also bought FS2020 disk version and made an ISO of disk1.

From the Store I install with the account I initially used to redeem the disk purchase code and when the install starts and asks for disk1 I mount the ISO.

 

Edited August 24, 20223 yr by jcomm

I was informed that on my new PC an iso file containing DVD 1 of FS2020 should be open and then I would be able to download FS2020 from MS Store. The iso file, though, should always be opened before running MSFS2020

1 minute ago, jcomm said:

I also bought FS2020 disk version and made an ISO of disk1.

From the Store I install with the account I initially used to redeem the disk purchase code and when the install starts and asks for disk1 I mount the ISO.

 

Our replies were at the same time. Thanks a lot anyway JComm

Now I will have to find out a way to create an autoexec.bat file that will mount the iso file at Windows' start up. Do you have any idea?

Edited August 24, 20223 yr by hvw
Additional information

Usually when you mount it by clicking on the ISO file it'll keep mounted along successive Windows sessions, including full shutdowns.

Whenever I start my Windows 11 sim PC I check if DISK1 is mounted. If not I click on the DISK1 ISO and the disk becomes available again 🙂

9 minutes ago, jcomm said:

Usually when you mount it by clicking on the ISO file it'll keep mounted along successive Windows sessions, including full shutdowns.

Whenever I start my Windows 11 sim PC I check if DISK1 is mounted. If not I click on the DISK1 ISO and the disk becomes available again 🙂

Great, I will give that a try. Thanks again.

 

Later. No such luck here, Jose. Windows 10 apparently doesn't restart iso files.

Edited August 24, 20223 yr by hvw

2 hours ago, hvw said:

Great, I will give that a try. Thanks again.

 

Later. No such luck here, Jose. Windows 10 apparently doesn't restart iso files.

🙃

Well, "long" goes the time I used Win 10.... Will never look back since I installed Win 11 🙂

22 minutes ago, jcomm said:

🙃

Well, "long" goes the time I used Win 10.... Will never look back since I installed Win 11 🙂

That's why, amongst others, I will buy a new pc 🙂 (My current PC doesn't "tolerate" the upgrade to W11)

You have probably already bought addons from the marketplace. A new account will cause you to lose it all. One good option is a cheap portable ($40 USD) usb powered DVD drive. The drive will be handy every once in a while for any other DVD you want to play on the new computer. Everybody should have one kicking around anyway.

After installing MSFS with drive, throw it in the closet. In about 6 months you'll probably need it again for something else.

3 minutes ago, Fielder said:

You have probably already bought addons from the marketplace. A new account will cause you to lose it all. One good option is a cheap portable ($40 USD) usb powered DVD drive. The drive will be handy every once in a while for any other DVD you want to play on the new computer. Everybody should have one kicking around anyway.

I haven't used a DVD drive in at least 6 years, if not more. 

56 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

I haven't used a DVD drive in at least 6 years, if not more. 

Congrats ! 🙂 I am still on floppy discs