Need to jump through hoops to use something like ReShade on the encrypted Store version. No thanks. Steam version is better. 

I bought it through the MS store and it's died a couple of times. Once was my local setup and once was XBox Live (or whatever actually is used). I've had to get MS support to help me fix it. I'd have gone with the steam version had I known it existed.

Most instructions I've seen online pertain to the Steam setup paths, this has caused me some problems.

So I'd say Steam it.  In fact,if the MS store acts up again I may just eat the $$$ and get it on Steam.

I have bought MSFS on Steam when it was on sale, but haven't installed it yet. Am I wrong in the assumption that having a Steam version will prevent me from buying an installing addons from MS market store? And only addons that have been published on steam, will work? And what about the Fenix A320? And what about all the freeware from Flightsim.to?

 

12 minutes ago, jlund said:

I have bought MSFS on Steam when it was on sale, but haven't installed it yet. Am I wrong in the assumption that having a Steam version will prevent me from buying an installing addons from MS market store? And only addons that have been published on steam, will work? And what about the Fenix A320? And what about all the freeware from Flightsim.to?

 

The Marketplace within the sim works the same for both editions, MS Store and Steam. Same for freeware from Flightsim.to and elsewhere. And payware not obtained via the Marketplace.

What can NOT be done is use Marketplace items bought within the MS Store version sim within the Steam version sim and vice versa.

And IF one wishes to use the sim on XBox, then ONLY MS Store sim version purchases can be used on XBox (if the item is XBox compatible).

...jim

 

Edited September 7, 20223 yr by JimBrown

"What can NOT be done is use Marketplace items bought within the MS Store version sim within the Steam version sim and vice versa."

Will the same addons be available on both platforms, or can there be addons which is only available on Steam (or ms store)?

Addons are available in both platforms (or at least I don't know of any Steam-exclusives). But, if you have some addons bought through Steam, don't expect your purchases to show up in the MS Store version (or even the Cloud one).

There is one major difference between the Steam Version and the MS store version that no one talks about. The MS store version installs the simulator files (FlightSimulator.exe) in a special folder with file permissions that block you from doing anything with them. While this doesn't sound like a big deal initially, I have run into issues.

For example: I have a Corsair Simitar mouse. This mouse has 12 programable thumb buttons. I can program these buttons to send key strokes to change the camera view for example. You create a profile in the Corsiar software and program the buttons to send whatever keystrokes you want. You then have the option to attach the profile to an executable so the profile will run whenever you launch the application, in this example FlightSimulator.exe. With the MS store version the corsair software does not have permission to attach the profile to FlightSimulator.exe. This is very annoying. I tried my very best to take ownership of the MS Store version file permissions but was unsuccessful on every attempt. It was so annoying, I bought the Steam version of MSFS 2020 which installs the simulator files in the normal steam library path without the annoying file permissions set by Microsoft.

I'm sure this situation described above effects very few of you. Just beware. You get less control with the MS Store version. I will never use the MS store version of MSFS 2020 again.

Hi

I tried MSFS in the early days using the £1 XBOX  offer. Based on that experience I bought the full version via the MSFS Store. However each time there was an update I found installing was a real pain. Finally the whole thing crashed and I just couldn’t get it to reinstall.   Eventually I decided to forego the money already spent, and paid for the Steam version. OK I lost a Carenado aircraft purchased through the Store, but I’ve never looked back.  Updating is a doddle and I’ve had no problems downloading purchased aircraft. Also very straightforward to manipulate files if necessary. We all have different experiences but I personally would recommend the Steam version. Hope that helps.

 

I did not know what Steam was or did prior to the release of MSFS.  I learned just enough (almost nothing) to install the Steam version of MSFS.  Now - two years later I still don't know what Steam is or does.  What ever - it is in the far distant background of my MSFS life.  As far as I know - I have little or no interaction with it.  I click on the MSFS icon on my desktop and soon I am flying.

Once in a while Steam tells me it is updating itself and other times it tells me it has failed to synchronize.  I don't know what any of that means but it seems to have NO impact on MSFS.  

I've accumulated over 300 hours flight time while maintaining my ignorance of Steam.

I have over 200 add ons to MSFS but they seem to have nothing to do with Steam.

I know nothing about Steam and proud of it because it seems to work flawlessly. 

 

Edited September 16, 20223 yr by TacomaSailor
??

Steam or not good for u TacomaSailor. I have the sim for about 18 months, I got Steam so far I am a happy camper.  Steam seem s to keep it very simple, not to complicated

 a newer version of the X-Box app (currently in beta) will allow you to change where you can install your games.