Learn when to use MSFS 2024 rolling cache, which size to choose, where its file is stored, and how to move, clear or rebuild it safely.
Use rolling cache in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 if you revisit the same areas, have capped or unreliable internet, or see scenery-streaming pauses. Put it on a fast SSD and start at 16–32 GB. Disable it when storage is tight, your connection is consistently fast and unlimited, or corruption is suspected.
What is rolling cache in MSFS 2024?
Rolling cache is a circular local store for streamed terrain and imagery. The first visit still downloads scenery, but MSFS can reuse retained data on later flights; once the cache reaches its limit, the oldest data is replaced automatically. A full cache is normal and does not need routine clearing.
It is separate from installed scenery, aircraft and package files, and it is not a dependable offline archive. Our explanation of what rolling cache stores and when it helps covers those distinctions in more detail.
What MSFS 2024 rolling cache size should I use?
Start with 16–32 GB; increase it only when you repeatedly cover a large region and have ample SSD space.
| Flying and storage situation | Recommended setting | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Same airports or region regularly | On, 16–32 GB | Previously streamed scenery is more likely to remain available locally. |
| Capped, slow or inconsistent internet | On, 32–64 GB if space permits | More revisited areas can be retained, reducing repeat downloads. |
| Different region every session with fast, unlimited internet | Optional or off | Cached scenery may be replaced before you revisit it. |
| SSD nearly full | Off or smaller | Free drive space is more useful than an oversized cache. |
| Only a mechanical hard drive is available | Test off or move to an SSD | A busy hard drive can introduce pauses of its own. |
The configured size is a storage limit, not an immediate scenery download. The cache file may reserve most or all of that allocation, however, so do not assign nearly all remaining disk space. A huge cache is not an automatic performance upgrade and takes longer to rebuild.
Where is the MSFS 2024 rolling cache?
The path displayed in MSFS 2024’s Rolling Cache settings is the authoritative location. It can vary by PC edition, and a path selected previously overrides the usual default.
- Microsoft Store or Xbox app: a common parent folder is
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\. - Steam: a common parent folder is
%APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\. - Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro: there is no user-browseable file path. Use the storage controls exposed by the simulator.
On Windows, the container is normally named ROLLINGCACHE.CCC. AppData is hidden by default, and the file may not exist if caching is disabled or has not been created. It is separate from Community, Packages and installed add-on folders; do not delete those while cleaning up a cache.
How do I configure, move or resize rolling cache?
Manage rolling cache through the simulator rather than dragging its file between Windows folders.
- Return to the main menu. Open
Settings > General > Onlineand locate Rolling Cache. Use the settings search if an update or platform has moved the control. - Enable the cache and choose its size. Start at 16–32 GB unless your flying pattern or available storage justifies more.
- Select a local SSD on PC. Avoid network locations, cloud-synchronised folders and removable drives that may be disconnected later.
- For a move, create a fresh cache. Record the old path, use the in-simulator delete control, then select the destination instead of copying the old file.
- Apply the change and wait. Allow creation or resizing to finish, restart if prompted, then test a route twice because the first flight must still stream its scenery.
If a drive is disconnected or its letter changes, MSFS may lose the cache or create another elsewhere. After disabling caching, use the delete control as well if you want to reclaim its disk allocation.
Does rolling cache improve FPS or reduce data use?
Rolling cache does not normally raise average FPS because it does not reduce CPU, GPU or aircraft-system workloads. It can reduce frame-time pauses caused by downloading scenery already held locally. If new and repeated routes both load slowly, use our broader scenery-loading checks for MSFS 2024.
Bandwidth falls only when retained tiles can be reused. The first visit still consumes data, while live weather, traffic, multiplayer and updated server content remain online services. See our breakdown of data use and bandwidth controls for the other settings that matter on a capped connection.
When should I clear or rebuild rolling cache?
Clear it when the cache may be corrupted, points to a missing drive, or repeatedly produces bad scenery or loading faults in the same place.
- Test with Rolling 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 control. Let the operation finish without force-closing MSFS.
- Recreate the cache if wanted. Enable it, choose an SSD location and set a sensible limit.
- Expect another download. Previously visited scenery must be streamed again after a rebuild.
If deletion fails on PC, close MSFS completely before touching the file. Follow our safe procedure for locked, missing or unrecoverable cache files, and delete only the recorded ROLLINGCACHE.CCC.
Clearing the cache does not remove aircraft, scenery packages, Marketplace content, profiles or saved flights. Do not clear it after every simulator update or simply because it is full; both actions discard its intended benefit.
Why is the rolling cache not working?
Most rolling-cache failures come from disabled controls, unavailable storage or an incorrect path.
- Path or size controls are greyed out: enable Rolling Cache before editing them.
- The cache cannot be created: check free space, folder permissions and whether the selected drive is connected.
- An old file remains after moving: confirm the new cache works, close MSFS and delete only the abandoned
ROLLINGCACHE.CCC. - Disk space disappears immediately: reduce the configured limit rather than repeatedly deleting the file.
- Scenery faults remain after clearing: streamed server data, an add-on or graphics settings may be responsible instead.
Can rolling cache make MSFS 2024 work offline?
No. Some retained terrain may remain available temporarily, but tiles can be replaced or invalidated. Online world data, live services and scenery not already cached still need a connection; locally installed Community or Marketplace scenery is separate from rolling cache.