Hey,

I’m looking for tips on making the transition from 2020 to 2024 as smooth and quick as possible and would appreciate any tips in the following areas-

I am planning to stay in steam platform.

1. Edition -  since I heavily rely on many 3rd party addons I assume the standard edition will suffice?

2. How do I use existing content purchased on MSFS2020 marketplace? For example the ATR and other airports even if they are not officially compatible in 2024

3. How do I use other 2020 addons purchased on ORBX, inibuilds etc…? Do I simply drag them from the older folders to the new 2024 community folder?

4. Graphic settings - are they the same as in 2020 so I can set them up pretty quickly and get the same results? Specs are in my sig. I understand my main limitation will be VRAM as I use a 4K screen…

Any other tips you’ve learned which can make our life easier in the transition?

Thanks!

 

I can't answer them all but in my experience:

2. How do I use existing content purchased on MSFS2020 marketplace? For example the ATR and other airports even if they are not officially compatible in 2024.
They will appear in the MSFS 2024 "My Library" and can be activated as required.

3. How do I use other 2020 addons purchased on ORBX, inibuilds etc…? Do I simply drag them from the older folders to the new 2024 community folder?
Yes

4. Graphic settings - are they the same as in 2020 so I can set them up pretty quickly and get the same results? Specs are in my sig. I understand my main limitation will be VRAM as I use a 4K screen…
I also have a 3080 ti , slower RAM and a lesser Intel processor and have no problems running MSFS 2024 at 4k on a 43" monitor. 

1 hour ago, Shomron said:

1. Edition -  since I heavily rely on many 3rd party addons I assume the standard edition will suffice?

Hi:

Regarding this inquiry, take a close look at least in the aircraft list of the primary 3 versions of MSFS2024, to see if anything interests you.

The quality of default of a/c in MSFS2024 is reasonably good (I often use the airliners a lot, that are not yet available via payware). Otherwise, you will need to purchase them separately in the Standard (or Deluxe) Edition.

Today e.g., I rented the C-17 Globemaster III, because I wished to fly it, and then realized that it's a default aircraft in the Premium Deluxe Edition.

So, it depends on your personal interest in aircraft...for both GA and Airliners ...

Good luck.

2 hours ago, Shomron said:

1. Edition -  since I heavily rely on many 3rd party addons I assume the standard edition will suffice?

Ya if most of the aircraft you use are 3rd party then the standard edition would suffice. That said, IMO the Citation Longitude alone is worth the difference in price of the Premium Deluxe edition, as it's very deeply modelled for a default a/c. Similar to the Longitude, some other default aircraft in the higher editions also received extra enhancement treatment by the Working Title team, so worth having a look to see if any of those interest you.
 

Edited January 11Jan 11 by lwt1971

15 minutes ago, lwt1971 said:

Ya if most of the aircraft you use are 3rd party then the standard edition would suffice. That said, IMO the Citation Longitude alone is worth the difference in price of the Premium Deluxe edition, as it's very deeply modelled for a default a/c. Similar to the Longitude, some other default aircraft in the higher editions also received extra enhancement treatment by the Working Title team, so worth having a look to see if any of those interest you.
 

Thanks any “must have” MSFS airliners? I’m also interested in the Saab, however one is being developed by Nextgen.

1. Edition -  since I heavily rely on many 3rd party addons I assume the standard edition will suffice? - I purchased the Standard Edition. Like you, I use mostly third party addons, so it was a no brainer.

2. How do I use existing content purchased on MSFS2020 marketplace? For example the ATR and other airports even if they are not officially compatible in 2024 - I cannot remember exactly, but I think that the installation of MSFS 2024 asked me if I wanted to install all of my VERIFIED MS Marketplace purchases in MSFS 2024.

3. How do I use other 2020 addons purchased on ORBX, inibuilds etc…? Do I simply drag them from the older folders to the new 2024 community folder? Lots of airport addons are available for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. These should be available to install on ORBx Central and the IniManager respectively (or Contrail for that matter).

4. Graphic settings - are they the same as in 2020 so I can set them up pretty quickly and get the same results? Specs are in my sig. I understand my main limitation will be VRAM as I use a 4K screen - I cannot answer this one reliably, as my new PC is considerably more powerful than the previous one. Ironically, most of the settings that I am using in MSFS 2024 are very similar to those that I used in MSFS 2020. The difference is that I now have much improved performance. I am almost certain that I could raise them quite a bit higher if I had more than 12GB VRAM. That is the only limiting factor for me.

I would highly recommend going through your list of MSFS 2020 addons (particularly airports), and checking to see how you are going to install them in MSFS 2024. I worked out which airports I could install from Contrail/IniManager/Orbx Central/SimMarket, which ones would need to be installed from the MS Marketplace, which ones that were zipped up executable files, and also those that required copies of the MSFS 2020 Community folder installs. That last one was important for me. Since I was installing MSFS 2024 on a completely new PC, I did not have an MSFS 2020 installation on the same drive. I made sure to keep copies of everything in the MSFS 2020 Community folder that I would not be able to download/install from anywhere else, and backed them up on a USB stick. I copied all of these directly into the MSFS 2024 Community folder, and I have not had any problems so far.

Edited January 11Jan 11 by Christopher Low

9 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

1. Edition -  since I heavily rely on many 3rd party addons I assume the standard edition will suffice? - I puchased the Standard Edition. Like you, I use mostly third party addons, so it was a no brainer.

2. How do I use existing content purchased on MSFS2020 marketplace? For example the ATR and other airports even if they are not officially compatible in 2024 - I cannot remember exactly, but I think that the installation of MSFS 2024 asked me if I wanted to install all of my VERIFIED MS Marketplace purchases in MSFS 2024.

3. How do I use other 2020 addons purchased on ORBX, inibuilds etc…? Do I simply drag them from the older folders to the new 2024 community folder? Lots of airport addons are available for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024. These should be available to install on ORBx Central and the IniManager respectively (or Contrail for that matter).

4. Graphic settings - are they the same as in 2020 so I can set them up pretty quickly and get the same results? Specs are in my sig. I understand my main limitation will be VRAM as I use a 4K screen - I cannot answer this one reliably, as my new PC is considerably more powerful than the previous one. Ironically, most of the settings that I am using in MSFS 2024 are very similar to those that I used in MSFS 2020. The difference is that I now have much improved performance. I am almost certain that I could raise them quite a bit higher if I had more than 12GB VRAM. That is the only limiting factor for me.

I would highly recommend going through your list of MSFS 2020 addons (particularly airports), and checking to see how you are going to install them in MSFS 2024. I worked out which airports I could install from Contrail/IniManager/Orbx Central/SimMarket, which ones would need to be installed from the MS Marketplace, which ones that were zipped up executable files, and also those that required copies of the MSFS 2020 Community folder installs. That last one was important for me. Since I was installing MSFS 2024 on a completely new PC, I did not have an MSFS 2020 installation on the same drive. I made sure to keep copies of everything in the MSFS 2020 Community folder that I would not be able to download/install from anywhere else, and backed them up on a USB stick. I copied all of these directly into the MSFS 2024 Community folder, and I have not had any problems so far.

Thanks for the detailed info!

Since I have room for MSFS2020 installation in parallel, what I’ll do is remove only sceneries installed for MSFS2024 this way I won’t lose track of all potential sceneries for 2024.

What I’m left with at the end, I’ll copy manually to 2024 community folder.

I just hope those sceneries will work with no issues..

3 hours ago, Shomron said:

1. Edition -  since I heavily rely on many 3rd party addons I assume the standard edition will suffice?

If you have favorite payware aircraft check to verify they have defined 2024 versions available.  Not all do at this time. If all of yours have 2024 releases then you are good to go!  There are some 2024 code changes that affect some, and I believe at least some of the 2024 design boundaries are more strict. Seems the designers that attempt to get more sophisticated run into those boundaries more often. Not claiming a fact there. Just an observation. There are two or three I am still waiting for but I will not name names. Just wishing they would breakthrough.  I continue to fly both 2024 and 2020 for that reason. 

Oh, and on another note I have yet to find a 2020 addon airport, payware or freeware, that does not work at least reasonably well in 2024.

1 minute ago, Shomron said:

What I’m left with at the end, I’ll copy manually to 2024 community folder.

Wow! Are you not using Addons Linker?

10 minutes ago, fppilot said:

Wow! Are you not using Addons Linker?

I do. Can I use it with the 2 versions in parallel?

2 hours ago, Shomron said:

I do. Can I use it with the 2 versions in parallel?

Addons Linker is bundled as (2) versions.  You install two versions, one for each sim.  Most of the programs files are the same, but it comes with two unique .exe files. One for each sim version.  Each writes its shortcuts/symbolic links to each approapriate Community folder.

 

Edited January 11Jan 11 by fppilot

4 minutes ago, fppilot said:

Addons Linker is bundled as (2) versions.  One for each sim.  Each has its own unique .exe file.

Thanks good to know!

 

5 minutes ago, fppilot said:

Addons Linker is bundled as (2) versions.  You install two versions, one for each sim.  Most of the programs files are the same, but it comes with two unique .exe files. One for each sim version.  Each writes its shortcuts/symbolic links to each approapriate Community folder.

 

So then I just select the specific airports I want for 2024 from the original 2020 community folder, ORBX folder etc..?

39 minutes ago, Shomron said:

So then I just select the specific airports I want for 2024 from the original 2020 community folder, ORBX folder etc..?

No.  You will have a short learning curve.  You install your addons in a location you wish.  Then you point Addons Linker to that set of folders.  Once you have done that you point Addons Linker to your respective Community folders.  The Community folder for 2020 for the Addons Linker 2020 version; the Community folder for 2024 for the 2024 Addons lInker version.  

Once you have that set up, you use Addons Linker to select the addons you want in the Community folder for a partucular flight.

Most addons sources allow you to install their addons to a custom location.  Just watch closely during the install promots and you can direct most into your own defined folder location(s).  Other addons sources insist on placing their addons where they want them placed.  I usually hunt those locatons down and move those addon over to my own folder tree.  Takes some time to get the hang of that, but then it becomes quick.

The images below first show my addons folder set. The second shows that with the Scenery folder opened up.  Separate airports are then located in folders and subfolders.  Then the last image shows in the left pane and right pane what Addons Linker does from that.

 

 

Edited January 11Jan 11 by fppilot

44 minutes ago, Shomron said:

So then I just select the specific airports I want for 2024 from the original 2020 community folder, ORBX folder etc..?

That works but orbx can be set up to support both 2020 and 2024..