Hi All, 

Having had excellent help here previously I'm imposing on the generosity of Forum Members for a MSFS query.

I should perhaps start off by saying I have had MSFS on my setup for a couple of years now. I have added a few Scenery addons, along with a few extra Aircraft. I have to date, not experienced (Thankfully) the many problems some Forum users have written of in these Forums. Mostly my setup has behaved admirably 🙂  It was until today originally loaded onto my SSD 'D' Drive   (My Win 10 O.S. is on it's own SSD 'C' Drive)  This Computer is dedicated to my Flight Sim setup and has a couple of older HDDs for file storage etc. plus an external HDD for file back-up purposes.  The Computer is a 'Wired 2 Fire' prepared Flight Sim Computer. (I can add all the technical information from the invoice if necessary - it means little or nothing to me I'm afraid)

I recently installed an M.2 SSD on my System  because my Current  'D' SSD, that had my MSFS installed on it, was running out of space. 

Today I used the 'App & Features' facility on my Windows 10 O.S. 'Settings'  in order to 'Move' the MSFS Flight Sim program onto my new M.2  'J' Drive.   (I just 'Clicked' the 'Move' Option and the Computer system seemed to do the 'Move' operation with very little information being shown.)

After a while I restarted my Computer, 'Clicked' on the Original shortcut for MSFS on my Desktop and the Simulator started as usual.  (Maybe loading a little faster than previously - that could be expected, but wasn't the reason I 'Moved' the program.)

I've made a short test flight and all seems fine but, having looked at my System Drives information, I wonder if any of you knowledgeable, Forum Members can answer a couple of queries please?

(I am something of a Computer 'Numpty' so please bear that in mind when replying if possible)

When I look at my Desktop Folders in the 'This PC' list,  my original 'D' Drive, that contained MSFS program, still shows all the Sim. folders that were there before, including the 'WpSystem' and 'XboxGames' Folders.   AND my new M.2  'J' Drive, also shows the same files.   I have the Microsoft Game Sim.  (not the Steam version).

Looking at the  'Properties'  by right clicking on the Drives, I see that the  original 'D' Drive is still almost full but the new M.2 'J' Drive doesn't appear to have the Sim File content on it  - albeit the Folder showing content of the Drive suggests all the MSFS Files/Folders are indeed on that 'J' Disc.

My quandary is; What is happening? Has my MSFS Program been 'Moved' or not?

Can I 'Delete' the Files/Folders from my 'D' Drive.  (i.e. has that space been freed up?)

An added anomaly would appear to be the 'Community' Folder. That Folder at least, appears to be still on the 'D' Drive. 

I apologise if my questions make no sense, but frankly I just don't understand if I've 'Moved' my Sim Program or not - or what I might do now?

Thanks in advance if anyone can offer any assistance.

 

Kind Regards, 

Blue

Possibly, you moved only the game, less than 2GB and did not select the option to move the content as well.

If you did that, all you will have on your J drive is the game and a series of links back to your D drive.

Edited February 23, 20242 yr by Reader

Hello Reader,

Sincere thanks for taking the trouble to respond to my plea; your diagnosis appears spot-on as I didn't realise moving other stuff was necessary 😞 I'm most grateful for your help.

May I impose upon your generosity by asking a follow-up question please?

Can I therefore now, go back to the 'Apps & Features' application and 'Move' the rest of it - or have I cocked it up completely?

Clearly I didn't read enough when I used the feature (for the first time ever)  it's just I am rather worried when trying out such things, as I've read of so many horror stories with our Flight Sim. and Computers are a rather dark Art to me 😞  

As said, I'm something of a Computer 'Numpty'  - my Grandaughter is usually my Technical advisor when it comes to my 'phone queries but clearly she doesn't do Flight Sims 🙂

Thanks again for your help - you are most kind.

Regards, 

Blue 

Edited February 23, 20242 yr by Bluescaster

I would guess that you will be able to reverse your action and move the game back to your D drive.
Then you can start again, with the box ticked.

Thank you Reader. I will take your advice and try that tomorrow - when I've gotten up the courage 🙂  Many thanks again for your help.

Kind Regards, 

Blue

please tell us how you went because I to have just installed a new larger SSD because my current one was full

of only my flight sim

One more way to tackle this would be to move the packages folder (containing the Official and Community folders) by hand, and then editing the last line of the UserCfg.opt file to point to the new location.  If you copy rather than move.. you can test it and make sure it works before deleting the original folder(s).

Update:

I'm afraid I tried your suggestion 'Reader' but without success. It may well be that nothing in fact, had been copied across to my new  'J' Drive in the first attempt. I say this as the folders appeared empty. Also, upon trying the move again today, the 'Apps & Features'  facility informed me that my MSFS program was located  (still) in my 'D' Drive (the original Drive I first downloaded it to).

In any event, I went to the Apps & Features facility via 'Options' and went through the  'Move' selections again but (as with the first attempt) Windows appeared to be 'Moving' but then stopped at the end only this time with a notice on screen and an Error Code.  (0x80073 d0b should that be of use to anyone.)  I did search the Error Code on the Web but didn't feel competent to be clicking on things I don't understand, so took no action on remedies suggested there.

I re-tested my MSFS and it still works perfectly. 

I then went to my 'J' Drive and deleted the empty folders that had appeared there as a result of my attempted 'Move' operation. All that is, except a folder named, 'WindowsApps'.  That folder I'm unable to delete as it tells me I don't have the correct permissions. I've tried changing permissions, but came up against stuff I didn't understand sufficiently to proceed so left well alone.

After deleting the other folders, I again re-tested my MSFS and thankfully, it still works as expected.

Hello Bert Pieke 🙂  Many thanks for your input (and your help from way back! )  -  I think I understand your suggestion and assume the bulk of my MSFS will be on the  new 'J' drive as a result of doing as you suggest? 

I'm not familiar with the 'UserCfg.opt' file but could find it and I am familiar with editing config files in  FS2004 (which I still use 🙂 )  I certainly think it is worth trying, thank you.

Many thanks again to you both for advice given here - What a super Forum this is  🙂

Kind Regards, 

Blue

 

 

I always find these types of posts fascinating.  I have tried to move programs in my up to date win10 system but have never seen this 'move' command.  As described above, I go to APPS AND FEATURES, scroll down, find the program, left click - and the only option boxes displayed are MODIFY and UNINSTALL.  However, event the modify box is greyed out.  This is true for every app in the list.  I have full admin rights to everything too.  

I have simply never got this 'feature' to work or even display as I suspect it only works in 'apps' (vs programs) installed via the MS Store.  I do envy those that have that ability.

I am guessing that it did work but that it only moved the game part.
You can find the usercfg.opt file at
AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\UserCfg.opt

The last line is the path to where MSFS is installed.
Note the folder and then move that entire folder to your J drive.
Once you have done that, in the usercfg.opt file, replace the D in the path with J and it should work.

If you decide to follow Bert's good advice and copy, rather than cut and paste, then before you
strat MSFS, rename the original folder, by adding an X to its file name.
Then you will know that the game is reading the J drive.

2 hours ago, Mike S KPDX said:

I always find these types of posts fascinating.  I have tried to move programs in my up to date win10 system but have never seen this 'move' command.  As described above, I go to APPS AND FEATURES, scroll down, find the program, left click - and the only option boxes displayed are MODIFY and UNINSTALL.  However, event the modify box is greyed out.  This is true for every app in the list.  I have full admin rights to everything too.  

I have simply never got this 'feature' to work or even display as I suspect it only works in 'apps' (vs programs) installed via the MS Store.  I do envy those that have that ability.

Hi Mike, I'm unable to advise you regarding your response, save to say my installation is indeed the Microsoft Game Store version. I only recently read of the 'Move' facility in a PC Pilot Magazine, so thought that, as it sounded so simple, even my limited knowledge might be able to implement such a change. As you know it wasn't to be but I'm learning thanks to generous folk such as 'Reader' and Bert Pieke.

Reader/Bert, I have located the  'usercfg.opt' file but there is a complication (sorry, it's probably me -  😞 ) I seem to have two (2) installations!?!   One on  my 'C' Drive (where my Win 10 O.S. lives)  'C' Drive was always intended for the O.S. only. The other where I expect MSFS installation to be, my 'D' Drive. 

I thought I might be able to add a screen shot but couldn't, sorry.  😞 

Here is a copy of the 'usercfg.opt'  path line you indicated  -  both path lines are the same in each Drive folder, but the  'C Drive' path has the little blue arrows (Shortcut symbols ??) on the Folders, including the 'Local cache' folder that, when 'Clicked', brings up the folder containing the   'usercfg.opt'  file. I hope this makes sense??

InstalledPackagesPath "C:\Users\ BLUESCASTER \AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages"

 

I don't know why my MSFS is shown on BOTH Drives (C & D ) but don't really want to try Bert's idea of Copying files until I'm sure I've understood what's happening. As I said, at present, although I'd like to put the installation on the new 'J' Drive, I don't want to disable my setup.

Thanks anyway for your help so far guys - I very much appreciate the time and trouble you have already spent.

 

Kind Regards, 

Blue

7 minutes ago, Bluescaster said:

I don't know why my MSFS is shown on BOTH Drives (C & D ) but don't really want to try Bert's idea of Copying files until I'm sure I've understood what's happening.

This is the correct install.. the C drive folders link to the D drive folders.  If you change the line in one, you will see it also in the other... try it as a test!

Hi Bert, Thank goodness for that I thought I'd messed something up!!??  - You are a fine fellow - Thanks.

Further: 

3 hours ago, Reader said:

The last line is the path to where MSFS is installed.
Note the folder and then move that entire folder to your J drive.
Once you have done that, in the usercfg.opt file, replace the D in the path with J and it should work.

 

I'm grateful for your further response Reader,  but am struggling to know  which .....entire folder .....  to copy and Move to my 'J' Drive. 

 InstalledPackagesPath "C:\Users\BLUESCASTER\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages"

is it,  the 'Packages' Folder (that then contains the  \Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe  ) or maybe just the 

\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe  folder??   Each Folder seems to contain a vital part of the thing I'm looking to 'Move'.      I'm sorry to be such a pain but thank you both anyway.

 

Kind Regards, 

Blue

Like Bert says, it will be the Packages folder.
It should be very large and contain a "Community" folder and an "Official" folder.
If you leave the name, then the last line of your usercfg.opt file should be amended
to read:  InstalledPackagesPath "J:\Packages".
At that point, if you wanted to, you could change the folder name from "Packages" to 
say "Microsoft Flight Simulator".
If you choose to do that, the last line of the usercfg.opt file should be amended to read:
"J:\Microsoft Flight Simulator".
In either case, MSFS should work from your new drive.

Edited February 24, 20242 yr by Reader

Thanks Reader - most grateful. (And of course Bert did mention the 'Packages' folder in his earlier message - Thanks Bert)

It's late here now so I think this will keep until the morning. 

Many, many thanks to you both. I will update you when I try moving the 'Packages' folder.

 

Kind Regards, 

Blue