Learn how to autosave flights in FSX and Steam Edition, choose FSXSave or AutoSaver, set rotating saves, and recover after a crash.
FSX and FSX: Steam Edition do not include a built-in timed autosave. To save flights automatically, install an autosave utility, choose an interval, and retain several rotating save slots. FSXSave adds retention and ground-save controls, while AutoSaver is a lighter option for periodic recovery saves on long flights.
Which FSX autosave utility should I use?
Choose FSXSave for more control over saved-flight rotation, or AutoSaver when you only need straightforward interval saving.
| Option | Best for | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| FSXSave | Configurable intervals, ground saving and limiting how many files are retained | It is an FSX/SP2-era package, so Steam Edition users should check its included compatibility and installation notes |
| AutoSaver | Simple periodic recovery saves during long flights | It offers a lighter feature set and must remain active as directed by its documentation |
| Manual Save Flight command | Important stages such as before descent or approach | Reliable, but not automatic |
You can get the FSXSave package with retention and ground-saving controls, or use the lighter AutoSaver interval utility. Install only one autosave tool initially; running two can create duplicate files and make recovery confusing.
How do I set up automatic saves in FSX?
- Close FSX. Download one autosave package and extract the archive to a temporary folder rather than trying to run it from inside the compressed file.
- Read the included instructions. Follow the package's stated installation method and folder path. Older boxed-FSX modules and external utilities are not necessarily installed in the same way, and Steam Edition uses a different main installation folder.
- Start the autosave tool. Launch it or enable it inside FSX exactly as its documentation specifies. Confirm that it remains active after the flight has loaded.
- Set the interval. Ten minutes is a sensible starting point. Use five minutes if crash recovery matters more than occasional save pauses; choose a longer interval if a complex aircraft hesitates whenever FSX writes a flight.
- Keep rotating saves. Retain several files instead of repeatedly overwriting one. If FSX crashes while the newest save is being written, the previous slot should still be usable.
- Configure ground saving if available. Enable it when you want recovery points during start-up and taxi. Disable it if you only need airborne snapshots and want fewer files.
- Test before a long flight. Fly briefly, wait for at least one interval, then verify that a new saved flight appears and can be loaded.
We still recommend a deliberate manual save before descent, an oceanic crossing or another critical phase. Autosave intervals can otherwise leave you several minutes behind the point you expected to recover.
What does an FSX autosave restore?
An FSX autosave restores a standard saved-flight situation, but it may not reproduce every system managed by a third-party add-on.
Position, aircraft selection and the normal simulator situation should return. A sophisticated aircraft's FMC/CDU programming, custom failures, panel state or externally managed systems may require that developer's own state-saving feature. External weather, multiplayer traffic, AI traffic and ATC sequencing can also resume differently.
Treat autosaving as crash recovery rather than a perfect suspended session. Test the exact aircraft and add-ons you intend to use; a successful restore in a default aircraft does not prove that a complex add-on cockpit will return in the same state.
How do I recover the latest autosave after a crash?
Restart FSX, open its saved-flight loading screen and select the newest completed autosave rather than blindly choosing the file with the highest slot number.
If that save fails or appears incomplete, load the previous rotating slot—the crash may have occurred while the latest file was being written. Our saved-flight loading instructions for FSX cover the normal restore process and the difference between saving a situation and loading a flight plan.
Why is the autosave utility not creating files?
First test FSX's normal Save Flight command. If a manual save also fails, the fault is usually FSX's saved-flight folder or Windows write access rather than the autosave interval.
- Confirm that the utility is running or loaded after FSX starts.
- Check that the interval is enabled and that you have waited through a complete interval.
- Make sure Windows security, controlled-folder protection or a synchronised Documents folder is not blocking writes.
- Test with a default FSX aircraft to rule out a third-party aircraft conflict.
- Check whether security software quarantined an older executable or module.
- Avoid running two autosave utilities at the same time.
If FSX cannot create ordinary saved flights either, work through our fixes for blocked FSX saves and settings before reinstalling the autosave tool.