Hi Simmers,

I have not been on flight sim for a while. Can someone help me understand the difference in buying from Steam vs Xbox. Also, I plan to use my PC and do not have Xbox or any other console. Is it not possible to download the sim and manage/tweak stuff anymore? Or is it all pre-configured into (Low, Med, High & Ultra) settings only? How about managing addon from ORBX, REX Studios, A2A or PMDG etc?

Thanks for your help in advance.

veemaniq

It makes very little difference where you buy it. If you have a lot of stuff on Steam, get it there. 
 

It is possible to do all the things you say. There’s no difference between this and any previous PC sims in terms of availability of free and paid addons, tweaking and changing graphics and so on. 

1 hour ago, veemaniq said:

Hi Simmers,

I have not been on flight sim for a while. Can someone help me understand the difference in buying from Steam vs Xbox. Also, I plan to use my PC and do not have Xbox or any other console. Is it not possible to download the sim and manage/tweak stuff anymore? Or is it all pre-configured into (Low, Med, High & Ultra) settings only? How about managing addon from ORBX, REX Studios, A2A or PMDG etc?

Thanks for your help in advance.

veemaniq

From what I read the only decision point for you is Steam or MS Store. It’s all the same no matter which Store you purchased from and as for the rest (tweaking settings and installing Orbx, Rex and the rest) you will be pleased at how capable and competent the vendors have become in letting you install their wares without having to have a CS degree. Push button is the name of the game here and all parties do it with aplomb. Enjoy, Blue skies and let us know how it goes for you. 
-B

PS Even tho I purchased both 2020 and 2024 from the MS Store many folks swear by Steam and would have it no other way at least for MSFS. YMMV. TANSTAAFL. HNY2026!

Edited December 31, 2025Dec 31 by btacon

The key difference between Steam and Microsoft Store is that you can use your Microsoft Store purchase of MSFS on XBox, should you ever also use XBox to fly MSFS.  Steam purchases cannot be used on your XBox.

Otherwise, both Steam and the Microsoft Store are pretty similar.  Steam has caused less issues before for people installing MSFS, so there is that, but it has been a while since the Microsoft Store last caused installation issues (the last time was earlier this year, but it was resolved rather quickly).

 

 

Thank you, JonathanC, btacon and abrams_tank. I appreciate your prompt response and I will go with Xbox. Need to get back in sim and will have to figure out few things 🙂

Happy flying everyone!

veemaniq