For various reasons, I'm planning to reinstall and change over MSFS 2020 CD version, to download one on PC platform.

Regarding stability and installation flexibility, what are the differences between Steam and Store version?

I would be grateful of anyone’s suggestion.          

 

I believe Steam is less of a headache. Just my $.02.

On 11/29/2025 at 1:02 AM, airpath47 said:

For various reasons, I'm planning to reinstall and change over MSFS 2020 CD version, to download one on PC platform.

Regarding stability and installation flexibility, what are the differences between Steam and Store version?

I would be grateful of anyone’s suggestion.          

 

6 years later, 2 or 3 installs/reinstalls of 2020, 3 of 2024 into different OS, all installs and all updates done with ZERO problems...using the MS Store.

MS Store here.  Steam is so 80's.  😯

dd

I like Steam, but I think for MSFS it's better through the MS Store. In the case of MSFS Steam doesn't download the sim itself, it just downloads the installer which is only a few mb and then the installer actually downloads and installs the sim when you run it first time. All this install time counts towards your Steam 'play time' if that matters to you.

When I got MSFS five years ago, Steam was more stable than MS Store. Now it's almost the same, except for two things:

1) with the Store version, you may not have access to some folders. This doesn't happen with Steam. 

2) in some countries, MS Store may be cheaper than Steam, or viceversa.

1 minute ago, Luis Hernandez said:

1) with the Store version, you may not have access to some folders. This doesn't happen with Steam. 

No, you can install the Store version in a custom folder and have access to everything. It's easy to do. 

Really no difference between Store and Steam anymore as Xbox is pretty much dead. Previously the Store version made sense if you had a PC and an Xbox and wanted to play on both - one purchase got you that. Steam version didn't let you do that. But it doesn't matter anymore. 

Beyond that, there's a small difference in how the beta tests works - both steam and store have access to the beta, they just do it a bit differently.

I have had the Store version since 2019 Tech Alpha and have never had issues. Steam works great too, from what I've read. 

15 hours ago, JonathanC said:

Really no difference between Store and Steam anymore as Xbox is pretty much dead. Previously the Store version made sense if you had a PC and an Xbox and wanted to play on both - one purchase got you that. Steam version didn't let you do that. But it doesn't matter anymore. 

I can see a very slight advantage for the Store version: if you want to use the Cloud version (for example, during travel), unless my understanding is incorrect. Other than that, it's as you say.

1 hour ago, Luis Hernandez said:

I can see a very slight advantage for the Store version: if you want to use the Cloud version (for example, during travel), unless my understanding is incorrect. Other than that, it's as you say.

Nah, for the cloud version you need to subscribe to game pass. You can't just buy it as a one time purchase from the store and then use it on the cloud.. that's not the same thing. You can subscribe to game pass and then use it on cloud or local.. but you need to stay subscribed. 

I bought a new PC a few weeks ago and was impressed how FS2020 (from Microsoft store) downloaded and updated itself; this included my control settings - I'd been dreading having to do that. It did take many hours. 

I do wish that Microsoft would be more forward in explaining why it's beneficial to register stuff. Even my Windows 'Sticky Notes' got updated. 

19 hours ago, Luis Hernandez said:

When I got MSFS five years ago, Steam was more stable than MS Store. Now it's almost the same, except for two things:

1) with the Store version, you may not have access to some folders. This doesn't happen with Steam. 

2) in some countries, MS Store may be cheaper than Steam, or viceversa.

Point 1 is the most annoying thing for me having the store version.  I acually got my msfs2020 and 2024 product keys via CD keys (which call themselves "Loaded" now).

It seemed a bit pointless installing Steam as I would not use if for anything else.  My PC is mainly used for internet access and MS Office when it is not being used for Flightsimming.

Thank you all.