When resinstalling MSFS 2024 from scratch this week to make a clean install before pulling the FSLabs A321, the PMDG 777-300 and yesterday the iFly 737 MAX, I used the usual steps that make a complete reinstall of MSFS 2024 piece of cake, including moving the Packages and Rolling Cache to a folder / drive different from the defaults by editing "UserCfg.opt"...

I then fetched the PMDG OC3, the FSLabs and the iFly managers and installed all of the aircraft, and even tested each for a short circuit around LPPT (BTW! They look and feel AMAZING !!!! all of the three 🤩 )

Well, today while searching for their documentation I found, to my surprise, that there were no FSlabs, iFly or PMDGs in my Community folder 😞

I had created F:\MSFS under which I place the "Packages" and Rolling Cache file, but "F:\MSFS\Packages\Community" had no signs of my new 3 airliners ???? Where were they??? 🤔

Well, under "C:\MSFS" because I finally found the culprit being a typo when I edited the "UserCfg.opt" and instead of replacing the "C" with an "F", left the "C" there 😕

No big deal - with FS 2024 not started, edited again, changed the "C" to "F", manually moved all of the PMDG, iFly and FSLabs aircraft folders from the fake C:\MSFS\Packages\Community to same path under F:, and just had to edit the iFly Ap to fix the typo there too. All was working flawlessly ...

Should this have been in P3D I guess I would have been forced to uninstall and then reinstall all of it ...

After you completed your install, did you not find fragments of MS2024 tucked away in other folders on C drive?

I find that, especially after updates, the structure gets totally out of control. 

10 minutes ago, tamsini said:

After you completed your install, did you not find fragments of MS2024 tucked away in other folders on C drive?

I find that, especially after updates, the structure gets totally out of control. 

Nope, it was clean.

The steps I follow when installing FS 2024 are:

0) Install to the default folders;

1) Run MSFS one first time

2) After leaving the first MSFS 2024 session, edit "UserCfg.opt" and change the path to the Pcakages folder

3) Create the new location and move all of the files/ folders from the default location to the new one.

4) Eventually to the same with the Rolling Cache file and then...

5) Restart the simulator and if the Rolling Cache file was also moved to teh new location, make sure it is reflected under the Online configuration...

I change the packages path after installation by opening 'My Library' and clicking the settings cog.

40 minutes ago, flyingscampi said:

I change the packages path after installation by opening 'My Library' and clicking the settings cog.

That's an alternative way, yes, but I prefer to edit the "UserCfg.opt" file 🙂 because I also take the chance to set the FPS limit to 30 ...

22 hours ago, jcomm said:

When resinstalling MSFS 2024 from scratch this week to make a clean install before

In saying you are reinstalling can you adivse where from. Are you installing from the Windows Store or from within the XBox for PC app?

I ask because when installing from the XBox app it asks where you want to install and also moves critical files from my MSFS2020 install into the the new MSFS2024 install folder. I have no idea why it does that other than knowing it does not put the 2020 folder back if I uninstall 2024.

Cheers

David

8 minutes ago, howevr said:

In saying you are reinstalling can you adivse where from. Are you installing from the Windows Store or from within the XBox for PC app?

I ask because when installing from the XBox app it asks where you want to install and also moves critical files from my MSFS2020 install into the the new MSFS2024 install folder. I have no idea why it does that other than knowing it does not put the 2020 folder back if I uninstall 2024.

Cheers

David

Well, for me and since the transition to xBox App even during FS 2020 times, always through the xBox App.

I can't really help you regarding FS 2020 because I have long erased it from my disks, way before FS 2024 was launched...

Yes, the Packages folder of FS 2024 includes subfolders for FS 2020 and FS 2024, and I guess that's meant for those FS 2020 aircraft that you want to port to FS 2024, but I didn't know that uninstalling FS 2024 with FS 2020 installed would get important FS 2020 install files lost? 

I will try to ask any of my friends with both sims installed and will report back....

 

Thanks for that. its really strange. The folder it moves is the the actual 2020 install files. You can go into XBox settings and to the install location. Then watch the the folder 2020 move back and forth between my 2020 install location and 2024 location by simply changing the install path in the XBox app.

Cheers

David.

I don't have MS2024 installed (yet) but the  potential for a new MS2024 install to mess with my custom MS2020 installation has me spooked a bit- I would not want that changed.  I have MSFS2020 its own 2tb NVMe drive and and a second empty 2tb NVMe drive for a future MSFS2024 installation.  What hoops do I need to jump through to keep all my all my MSFS2020 stuff where it currently resides and a new MSFS2024 on its own separate 2tb drive?  Thanks

Bruce

All of those with both installs, who have probably reinstalled FS 2024 at least once, should be able to answer your question...

I don't have both installed, just FS 2024, and under the "Packages" folder there are indeed two subfolders, one reading FS 2020 the other FS 2024, but I never really understood the use of the FS 2020 one, and most of what FS 2024 is get's stored under yet another one "StreamedContent" folder.

Last week someone reported that when installing FS 2024 and then uninstalling it, the FS 2020 content got messed up, but I have at least one friend which has beaten me in the art of uninstalling, has FS 2020 installed and from time to time uninstalls FS 2024, and never reported any problems.

OFC you should preferably have both installed outside of the normal default folders... 

I copy&pasted your question and Copilot answered with 😁:

"

You're absolutely right to be cautious—MSFS2020 setups can be finely tuned, and no one wants a new install trampling over their carefully curated sim world. The good news is that you can absolutely keep MSFS2020 and MSFS2024 separate, especially with your dedicated drives. Here’s how to make that happen smoothly:

### 🛫 Before Installing MSFS2024
1. **Back Up Your MSFS2020 Configs**: Just in case, back up your `UserCfg.opt` file and any custom settings or add-ons.
2. **Leave MSFS2020 As-Is**: Since it’s already on its own 2TB NVMe, you don’t need to touch it.

### 🛬 Installing MSFS2024 on the New Drive
1. **Use the Xbox App or Microsoft Store**: When you purchase MSFS2024, install it via the Xbox app.
2. **Change the Install Location**:
   - In the Xbox app, go to **Profile > Settings > General > Game install options**.
   - Set the default install location to your second 2TB NVMe drive.
3. **During Installation**:
   - The launcher will install to your system drive (C:) by default—this is normal and small in size.
   - When prompted for the **Install Packages Path**, choose a folder on your second NVMe (e.g., `E:\MSFS2024`).
   - This ensures all large content (Official and Community folders) lives on the new drive.

### ✈️ After Installation
- **Verify the `UserCfg.opt` File**: Make sure the last line points to the correct install path for MSFS2024.
- **Use Add-on Linker (Optional)**: If you want to manage shared add-ons between versions, tools like Add-on Linker can help, but be cautious about compatibility.

This setup keeps both versions sandboxed and avoids any cross-contamination. You’ll be flying high in both sims without turbulence. Want help setting up symbolic links or optimizing load times next?"

Edited June 22, 2025Jun 22 by jcomm

Thank you for that helpful advice.

Bruce

On 6/21/2025 at 11:27 PM, brucewtb said:

I don't have MS2024 installed (yet) but the  potential for a new MS2024 install to mess with my custom MS2020 installation has me spooked a bit- I would not want that changed.  I have MSFS2020 its own 2tb NVMe drive and and a second empty 2tb NVMe drive for a future MSFS2024 installation.  What hoops do I need to jump through to keep all my all my MSFS2020 stuff where it currently resides and a new MSFS2024 on its own separate 2tb drive?  Thanks

Bruce

Bruce:  no hoops whatsoever, at least that was the case here for a Store install of both sims not long ago when my Win 11 install became corrupted and I decided then was the time for spring cleaning so did a complete reinstall of everything including Win 11.  I always follow the KISS method, never re-route anything I just stick with Default install locations for all.  I have both 2020 and 2024 installed on a single 2Tb NVMe stick.   I created another partition on that drive to install Win 10 on for a couple of games that do better in Win 10. And despite both sims, addons, and two other games on the one stick I still have over half free.  I have a 2nd identical 2Tb NVMe and it's used only as a clone now.  And somewhere not far down the road I may uninstall 2020 as I'm not using it--it's there only as back up for server issues etc w/ 2024.  Of course if n when 2020 gets removed I'll have 1.5Gb free so more than ample space going forward.  2024 is a very lean install by comparison as you would know.

Edited June 24, 2025Jun 24 by Noel

Is there any benefit to doing this and moving your Packages, Community and Cache directories away from FS itself aside from just saving disk space?

I've left FS2024 installed exactly where the Microsoft Store/Xbox app installed it all and just created myself a handy shortcut on the desktop to my Community folder for managing my add ons. Works pretty well for me.