Simply CANNOT reinstall MSFS2020 . Have been trying for WEEKS - YouTube, contact Microsoft, etc. Also seem to have lost XBox and cannot reinstall THAT🥶

Win 10, basic flt sim. installed from Store. Been simming for 30 years.

What is the BEST way to reinstall MSFS2020 after uninstall ?

Would really like some help.

Dave Hinson

@DaveH

• Firstly, try downloading and installing the official Microsoft Gaming Services Repair Tool.
  Available on this page, under "downloadable version" :-

https://support.xbox.com/en-GB/help/games-apps/troubleshooting/gaming-services-repair-tool

• A corrupt install of Gaming services is a common reason for MSFS not installing or running.
  
  

• Next, reboot your PC.

• Now, go into the Microsoft Store app and log out.
  
  

• Next, open the Xbox app and log out.

  (If you no longer have the Xbox app installed, you can reinstall it on the Microsoft Store app. Just search for 'Xbox')
  
  

• Reboot your PC again.
  
  

• Now, open up the Microsoft Store app and login. Keep it open.

• Open up the Xbox app and log in. Keep it open.
  
  

• Go into the Xbox app or the Microsoft Store app, find MSFS in your library and choose install. (Either of these apps can install MSFS).
  
  GOOD LUCK!
  
  Background

  MSFS cannot run without a working copy of their Gaming Sevices app. This app is so easily corrupted that MS had to develop and widely distribute an app that reliably fixes it. I run this repair tool regularly.
  
  Another common reason MSFS will not install or run is when the data credentials between the Microsoft Store app and the Xbox app fall of out sync or become corrupted. Logging out of both, rebooting, then logging back into both helps 'reset' this issue.
  
  If the above does not work, the nuclear option is to reinstall Windows. I note that you are still using Windows 10, which is now a 16 year old operating system. It could be a good point to upgrade to Windows 11 as Win 10 was created at a time when MSFS didn't exist. Running MSFS on a Win 10 operating systems means more bespoke files need to be installed and working, for MSFS to install and run. Win 11 comes with MSFS's required dependencies already onboard..

Edited Monday at 06:37 PM2 days by JYW

20 minutes ago, JYW said:

If the above does not work, the nuclear option is to reinstall Windows. I note that you are still using Windows 10, which is now a 16 year old operating system.

I concur with JYW. Windows was deprecated and discontinued support Oct 13, 2025. Using an out of support OS puts you, your computer and most importantly it puts your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) at grave risk. Your best bet is a Win11 upgrade before anything else IMO. Blue skies,

-B

Edited Monday at 06:43 PM2 days by btacon

35 minutes ago, btacon said:

I concur with JYW. Windows was deprecated and discontinued support Oct 13, 2025. Using an out of support OS puts you, your computer and most importantly it puts your Personal Identifiable Information (PII) at grave risk. Your best bet is a Win11 upgrade before anything else IMO. Blue skies,

-B

My Windows 10 ESU stil gets lots of updates and has been running a lot more stable than Windows 11 during the last years where the latter was comromised over and over again by bad updates and unwanted AI <censored> ........

Well that’s your choice of course. ESU ends October 12, 2027. Win 10 is not immune to AI Compromise either btw

-B

23 minutes ago, Ojisan_alpha said:

My Windows 10 ESU stil gets lots of updates and has been running a lot more stable than Windows 11 during the last years where the latter was comromised over and over again by bad updates and unwanted AI <censored> ........

I was talking purely from the perspective of running MSFS.

Windows 11 contains a raft of DLLs and other files that are required by MSFS. 'Compatible' (not native) versions of these files are installed by MS when MSFS is installed on a Win 10 machine. It's a potential hassle that's not worth taking IMHO. Win 11 is optimized for MSFS and I don't believe anyone who claims that MSFS runs better on a 16 year old OS.

Supporting what other posters have suggested, you should upgrade to Windows 11 if you aren't getting Extended Security Updates (ESU). Microsoft's October patch Tuesday fixed 1,102 Windows vulnerabilities. AI is aiding both defenders and attackers, it's finding stuff that has been lurking in code for years.

If you are getting ESU, you're still not getting performance updates. I'd be surprised if MSFS didn't run faster on Windows 11 with the same hardware, and it's free...

29 minutes ago, flyingscampi said:

Supporting what other posters have suggested, you should upgrade to Windows 11 if you aren't getting Extended Security Updates (ESU). Microsoft's October patch Tuesday fixed 1,102 Windows vulnerabilities. AI is aiding both defenders and attackers, it's finding stuff that has been lurking in code for years.

If you are getting ESU, you're still not getting performance updates. I'd be surprised if MSFS didn't run faster on Windows 11 with the same hardware, and it's free...

Yep, there is no downside to upgrade

Many thanks to all who responded. I have been out of town but will try your suggestions today, and let you know how they came out.

Dave

THANKS, AGAIN, guys. Finally got it up. Don't know which suggestion worked, but I did have to get the Gaming Service Repair Tool.

Also, following discussions about Upgrading to Win11 - how do you get the free installation?

Dave

2 hours ago, DaveH said:

THANKS, AGAIN, guys. Finally got it up. Don't know which suggestion worked, but I did have to get the Gaming Service Repair Tool.

Also, following discussions about Upgrading to Win11 - how do you get the free installation?

Dave

Your welcome Dave. Glad you finally got there.

I helped, and posted all of those instructions because I could feel your pain! I had one occasion, back in 2021, when nothing I did could get MSFS2020 to install. There wasn't as much knowledge about the causes of this at that time.

Keep the gaming services repair tool handy in a folder somewhere on your PC. You may well need it again in the future!

Edited Tuesday at 05:55 PM1 day by JYW