Should I use rolling cache in MSFS 2024, and how?
Use rolling cache in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 if you revisit the same areas, have a data cap, or see scenery-streaming pauses. Put it on a fast SSD and start with 16–32 GB. Disable it when storage is tight, your connection is consistently fast and unlimited, or cache corruption is suspected.
When should rolling cache be on or off?
Rolling cache should be enabled when reusing downloaded world scenery is more useful than reclaiming the drive space.
| Flying and storage situation | Recommended setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You regularly fly from the same airports or across the same region | On, starting at 16–32 GB | Previously streamed terrain and imagery can be read locally instead of downloaded again. |
| You have capped, slow or inconsistent internet | On; consider 32–64 GB if storage permits | A larger cache retains more of the places you revisit and reduces repeated downloads. |
| You fly somewhere different every session using fast, unlimited internet | Optional; use a modest cache or turn it off | Old scenery may be evicted before you return, so the cache offers little benefit. |
| Your SSD is nearly full | Off or set to a small size | Free drive space is more valuable than a large scenery cache. |
| The cache would have to sit on a slow hard drive | Move it to an SSD or test with it disabled | A busy mechanical drive can introduce pauses rather than remove them. |
The cache automatically replaces its oldest data when it reaches the limit. A full cache is therefore normal and does not need routine clearing.
How do I configure rolling cache in MSFS 2024?
Configure rolling cache from Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's general online or data settings, using the settings search for rolling cache if an update or platform has moved the controls.
- Open the rolling-cache settings. Return to the main menu, open Settings, and locate the online-data controls.
- Enable Rolling Cache. This allows streamed world data to be retained locally for later flights.
- Choose an SSD location on PC. Prefer an internal SSD with comfortable free space. Avoid network locations, cloud-synchronised folders and removable drives that may not always be connected.
- Set the size limit. Start with 16–32 GB for normal use. Choose 32–64 GB when you repeatedly cover a large region and have enough spare storage; choose less when drive capacity is limited.
- Save the settings. Allow the simulator to create or resize the cache before starting a flight.
- Test a repeated route. The first flight must still download scenery. Any benefit appears when you revisit data that remains in the cache.
The selected size is a storage limit, not an instruction to download that much scenery immediately. However, the cache file may reserve the chosen capacity on the drive, so do not allocate nearly all remaining free space.
Can I move rolling cache to another drive?
PC users can move it by selecting a new cache location in the simulator's settings; console versions manage the physical storage location and may expose fewer controls. We recommend creating a fresh cache on the destination SSD rather than copying the old file, and keeping it separate from Community and installed package folders.
Close Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 completely before manually removing an abandoned cache file. Never delete nearby package or add-on folders when cleaning up the old location.
Does rolling cache improve FPS or reduce data use?
Rolling cache does not normally increase average FPS, because it does not remove CPU, GPU or aircraft-system workloads. It can reduce frame-time spikes caused by waiting for scenery downloads, particularly over an area already stored locally. Persistent stutters on both new and repeated routes need broader diagnosis through our MSFS 2024 FPS and scenery-stutter checks.
It reduces bandwidth only when the simulator can reuse retained tiles. The first visit still consumes data, while live weather, traffic, multiplayer and updated server content remain online services. Our breakdown of MSFS 2024 data use and bandwidth controls explains which other settings matter on a capped connection.
When should I clear or rebuild rolling cache?
Clear rolling cache only when it may be corrupted, points to a missing drive, or repeatedly produces bad scenery or loading problems in the same location.
- Test with the cache disabled. Save the change and repeat the problem flight. If nothing changes, the cache is unlikely to be responsible.
- Use the built-in delete or clear control. If that control is available in the rolling-cache settings, use it instead of deleting unrelated simulator files.
- Recreate the cache. Enable it again, select an SSD location and choose a sensible size.
- Expect a slower first revisit. The rebuilt cache is empty, so scenery must be streamed again.
Do not clear it after every simulator update or whenever it reaches its limit; that discards its benefit. If disabling the cache stops crashes, rebuild it before testing again. If crashes continue, follow our step-by-step MSFS crash troubleshooting sequence.
Can rolling cache make MSFS 2024 work offline?
No. Rolling cache is not a dependable offline scenery archive, and retained tiles can be replaced or invalidated. Some cached terrain may remain available temporarily, but online world data, live services and content not already stored locally still require a connection; locally installed Community scenery is separate from rolling cache.