How do I find or change the MSFS 2024 install location?

On PC, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has two locations: the app installed by Steam or the Xbox app, and the Packages folder used for downloaded content and Community add-ons. Find the latter through UserCfg.opt and its InstalledPackagesPath line; move each location with its correct method rather than dragging folders blindly.

Which MSFS 2024 install location matters?

The location you need depends on what you intend to move, repair or modify.

The app directory is not necessarily where add-ons belong. A mistake we see frequently is opening the Steam installation folder, creating a Community folder there and wondering why Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 ignores it.

How do I find the MSFS 2024 Packages folder?

The active Packages folder is the path recorded in UserCfg.opt, even if you selected a custom drive during installation.

1. Close Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Closing Steam or the Xbox app as well prevents a running process from rewriting the configuration file.
2. Open the configuration location. Steam installations normally use %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\UserCfg.opt. Xbox-app and Microsoft Store installations normally use %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\UserCfg.opt.
3. Open UserCfg.opt in a text editor. Find the InstalledPackagesPath entry, usually near the bottom. The quoted value is the active folder.
4. Open that path in File Explorer. A working package location will normally contain the Community folder and other simulator-managed content folders.

If the file is missing, launch MSFS 2024 once, complete its initial setup and close it normally. Also check that you are viewing the correct Windows account and the 2024 configuration rather than an old MSFS 2020 file. Our platform-by-platform folder breakdown covers the default locations and ways to identify the active copy.

To find the core Steam app, open its library properties and use the installed-files browsing control. In the Xbox app, open the game's management and files controls. Microsoft Store files may sit inside the protected WindowsApps structure; do not take ownership of that folder merely to access or move the simulator.

How do I change the MSFS 2024 install location?

Move the core app with its platform's storage tool, but move the Packages folder only after updating InstalledPackagesPath.

Moving the Steam or Xbox-app installation

• Steam: create or select a Steam library on the destination drive, then use the game's installed-files option to move the installation folder.
• Xbox app or Microsoft Store: use the game's management or files option to change its drive. If no move option is available, use the platform's supported uninstall-and-reinstall process rather than dragging files out of WindowsApps.

Moving the app does not automatically guarantee that the Packages folder or rolling cache moves with it. Those locations can remain on the original drive.

Moving the Packages folder

1. Exit the simulator and launcher completely. Back up UserCfg.opt before editing it.
2. Create a destination on the new drive. A simple path such as D:\MSFS2024\Packages avoids permissions and folder-nesting problems.
3. Copy the entire active Packages folder. Copying first is safer than deleting or moving the only working copy. Preserve its internal folder structure.
4. Edit InstalledPackagesPath. Point it at the folder that directly contains Community, for example InstalledPackagesPath "D:\MSFS2024\Packages".
5. Launch MSFS 2024 and verify the result. Check that installed add-ons appear and that the simulator does not begin an unexplained full content download.
6. Delete the old copy only after testing. This releases the original drive space without risking a complete redownload if the new path is wrong.

Use an internal SSD where possible. External drives can work, but a disconnected device or changed drive letter makes the configured path unavailable. For a fresh installation, our advice on planning MSFS 2024 storage during initial setup helps keep the app, packages and cache on the intended drives.

Which folder should I move to free drive space?

Move the Packages folder or rolling cache first when they consume more space than the core app.

MSFS 2024 streams much of its content, so the largest location varies with offline packages, add-ons and cache settings. Inspect the active Packages folder and cache size before moving anything. Change or recreate the rolling cache through the simulator's own settings rather than moving an open cache file manually.

Never point MSFS 2024 at an MSFS 2020 Packages directory. Their content and manifests should remain separate; our guidance on separating the two simulators across drives explains the safer layouts.

Why does MSFS 2024 download everything again after moving?

An unexpected large download usually means the simulator cannot find the content at the path recorded in UserCfg.opt.

• The path points one level too high or too low, often because copying created Packages\Packages.
• You edited the MSFS 2020 file or a configuration belonging to another Windows account.
• The destination drive is offline or its drive letter has changed.
• The launcher remained open and restored the previous configuration.
• Only part of the package structure was copied.

Exit the simulator before accepting a large redownload, compare the configured path with the real folder and confirm that Community sits directly inside it. A normal simulator update can also download content, so the timing alone does not prove that the move failed.

Where is the Community folder after changing location?

The active Community folder is <InstalledPackagesPath>\Community.

Move existing add-ons with the Packages folder or copy them into that new Community directory. Avoid an extra nested level such as Community\Community\addon-name, which prevents detection. Once the path works, our instructions for placing MSFS 2024 scenery in the active Community folder cover the add-on structure.

Can I change the install location on Xbox or PS5?

On Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, use the console's storage-management controls to move the whole game to supported storage.

Consoles do not expose UserCfg.opt, the Packages path or a user-accessible Community folder. Playable-storage restrictions still apply, so an external device suitable for archiving a game may not necessarily run it directly.