I came on here to post this, but I noticed someone else has already posted a similar "success" story to finally getting the "mandatory update". While continually clicking "check for updates" just to be given the same message over and over that there isn't an update, I search "xbox" in the Microsoft Store. An app came up that I didn't have on my PC, so I installed it. Once opened, MSFS was one of the games listed. I tried opening it and it eventually gave me the same mandatory update message, taking me back to the Microsoft Store home page. I clicked on "Downloads and updates" and then "check for updates" once again. It finally worked!!
So for those of you who like checklists:
If you don't have the xbox app, think you might, not sure at all:
1. Go to the Microsoft Store
2. Search for xbox app and install it
3. Open newly installed xbox app, sign in if it doesn't automatically sign you in, and then return to the "downloads and updates" page in Microsoft store and click "Check for updates". If it doesn't work, try opening MSFS through your newly installed xbox app, wait for the prompt to update, and then return to Microsoft store to check for update.
If you already have the xbox app on your PC:
1. Try signing out and back in, or better yet, uninstall the xbox app completely.
2. Once uninstalled, follow steps 1-3 above.
I hope this helps!
