How do I change time and date in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

To change the time and date in Microsoft Flight Simulator, open the weather and time controls on the World Map or Free Flight screen, switch the time setting from Live to custom, and choose the clock time and date. In an unrestricted flight, open the Weather panel from the top toolbar and adjust them there.

How do I set the time and date before a flight?

Pre-flight configuration is the most reliable method because you can check the lighting before loading into the aircraft. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 calls this area the World Map, while Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 presents it through Free Flight; panel names and positions can vary slightly between updates and platforms.

1. Select the departure location first. This ensures that any displayed local time corresponds to the correct time zone. Our guide to planning flights from the World Map covers the surrounding route controls.
2. Open the weather and time controls. Look for the flight-conditions, weather or clock control on the planning screen.
3. Disable live-time synchronisation. Turn off the option that sets the simulator clock to Live, then select a custom time.
4. Set the calendar date and clock. Check whether the interface is showing local time or UTC before entering the value.
5. Load the flight. The selected sun position and lighting should be visible once the simulator finishes loading.

You can normally keep Live Weather while using a custom clock time. Live weather and live time are separate settings, except when a multiplayer or activity mode locks them together.

Can I change the date and time during a flight?

Free Flight normally allows immediate changes through the in-flight Weather panel.

1. Move the pointer or controller focus to the top of the screen to reveal the toolbar.
2. Open the Weather panel, usually represented by a cloud symbol.
3. Turn off live-time synchronisation if it is active.
4. Adjust the date and time controls; the lighting should change immediately.

If the Weather panel is not visible, open the toolbar configuration controls and enable it. We explain the panel system and controller behaviour in our guide to revealing and operating the MSFS toolbar.

The basic method applies to MSFS 2020 on PC and Xbox and MSFS 2024 on PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5. Mouse, controller and touchpad prompts differ, but the underlying weather-and-time controls work in the same way.

Why are the time and date controls locked?

A greyed-out or missing control usually means the selected flight mode is enforcing fixed conditions.

• Live time is enabled: switch from Live to a custom or preset time.
• A live multiplayer profile is active: change the permitted flight conditions or leave that session. A hosted group may also enforce the organiser’s settings.
• You are flying a structured activity: training lessons, challenges, career missions and other scored activities can lock weather, date and time. Start an unrestricted Free Flight instead.
• The toolbar panel is hidden: enable Weather from the toolbar configuration menu.
• The setting keeps resetting: live synchronisation is still active, or the flight has reloaded its prescribed conditions. Custom time is generally a per-flight choice rather than a permanent global setting.

If the outside lighting changes but the cockpit clock still appears different, check whether that instrument displays UTC/Zulu rather than local time. That difference does not mean the simulator time failed to change.

Does changing the date provide historical weather?

No. The calendar controls the simulation date, sun position and day length, but it does not retrieve weather from that date in the past. Live Weather continues to use its live data source; use a weather preset or custom conditions when recreating a historical flight.

Our explanation of how live weather, presets and simulator time interact covers when those settings can be combined and why a live mode may override your choices.

Does changing the clock make the flight pass faster?

No. Moving the clock changes the time of day instantly; it does not accelerate the aircraft or simulation. To shorten a long cruise while keeping time moving continuously, use the simulator’s time-acceleration controls instead, taking care around autopilot changes, approaches and complex aircraft systems.