I am having trouble, not been able to start the sim for several days as getting a "false" instruction: "Please insert game disc...." but the disc is and has been continuously inserted. Perhaps my CD drive faulty?

But TBH now wish I had purchased the download version. Does anyone know if it would be possible to convert from a CD version to a download version so am no longer dependent upon the reading the CD?

In the tips section I did a quick tutorial (maybe more than1 year ago) on how to copy certain files of the CD to a usb stick. Then it works without any CD in your drive. Only the usb stick must be present in any port instead.

Hope it works for you...

Edit: actually it is 3 years ago...

 

Edited June 25, 20232 yr by Avi8tor

Thanks for the suggestion. I am thinking I may just re-purchase the Deluxe Version for $89.99 (about £70) and re-install it. May be worth it to avoid further hassle. Hopefully I will be able to re-install the a/c and scenery addons I have already purchased. But many were at the Microsoft Store and I don't seem to have downlinks for these. Hmmm

The last thing i would buy today is any software that required a CD to run. If I can't get a direct download, I wouldn't buy it. 

Have decided to do it.

I assume I should uninstall the current programme first. However, when I go to the uninstall prompt in Control Panel, MSFS 2020 does not come up as a programme on my PC? Any suggestions how I should proceed. Presumably when I try to install the download version, it will detect that I already have a version on my PC and ask if I wish to overwrite it?

1 hour ago, AviatorMan said:

Have decided to do it.

I assume I should uninstall the current programme first. However, when I go to the uninstall prompt in Control Panel, MSFS 2020 does not come up as a programme on my PC? Any suggestions how I should proceed. Presumably when I try to install the download version, it will detect that I already have a version on my PC and ask if I wish to overwrite it?

First save your Content!  Folder that contains community and official folders.

1 hour ago, AviatorMan said:

I assume I should uninstall the current programme first. However, when I go to the uninstall prompt in Control Panel, MSFS 2020 does not come up as a programme on my PC? Any suggestions how I should proceed

As I said above, first drag the content folder to a new folder on the same drive.

Then enter "apps" into the Windows search bar (bottom left, next to the start button).

In the Apps & Features, you should find MSFS.  You can choose to uninstall.

When installing the new copy, it will pause after the initial 2 GB core, and offer to install the Content.

There, browse to the new folder you created, and it should find your Content and reuse it.

1 hour ago, AviatorMan said:

But many were at the Microsoft Store and I don't seem to have downlinks for these. Hmmm

If you install with same MS Windows account, these purchases should still be there, saved in "The Cloud".

Thanks for all of the suggestions, Bert. 

Here is an update for anyone interested: Have purchased, downloaded and successfully installed the Deluxe Edition (same version I had purchased 3 years ago CD Version), and everything seems to work fine. All addons purchased in the MS Store automatically reloaded. Otherwise I have decided the safest route forward is to re install the addons I purchased elsewhere (mostly Just Flight) using the downlinks available. Black Square Bonanza and Baron already installed and ready to fly!