See which MSFS 2024 content can be downloaded locally, what must still stream, and how World Updates and rolling cache affect offline use.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 lets you download some owned aircraft, airports, liveries and World Update packages for local use, but not the complete streamed world. Global terrain, aerial imagery, photogrammetry and live data remain cloud-delivered. A rolling cache can retain recently streamed scenery, but it is not a full offline download.
Streaming is fundamental to MSFS 2024 rather than merely an alternative installation method. That design also explains why the initial simulator download is comparatively small.
What can be downloaded in MSFS 2024?
MSFS 2024 supports local installation only for package-based content that exposes an install option in its library.
| Content | Local download | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Core simulator files | Yes, automatically | These do not include the complete cloud-rendered world. |
| Owned aircraft, liveries, airports and scenery | Sometimes | The item must offer an install or download action in the content library. |
| World Update packages | Yes | Only the packaged airports, points of interest and other enhancements are installed; the entire region is not saved offline. |
| PC Community add-ons | Yes, manually | The add-on is local, but it may still depend on streamed world data or online services. |
| Global terrain, aerial imagery and photogrammetry | No complete download | These remain streamed, although recently used data can enter the rolling cache. |
| Live weather, traffic and multiplayer | No | These services require a network connection. |
World Updates are a common source of confusion. Installing one does not download every road, building, terrain tile or aerial image for that country; follow our steps for installing and managing World Update packages to see exactly what is stored locally.
How do I download content rather than stream it?
Use the simulator's library controls; do not copy managed Marketplace folders by hand.
- Finish any simulator update. Package controls can behave incorrectly when the client and content catalogue are out of step.
- Open My Library or the content-management screen. The precise label and layout can vary between simulator builds and platforms.
- Select the aircraft, airport, livery or scenery package. Check its status to see whether it is streamed, installed or disabled.
- Choose Download or Install when offered. If there is no local-install action, that package is stream-only or is not available for local installation on that platform.
- Wait for installation to finish. Verify that the status changes to installed before closing the simulator.
On PC, MSFS places managed content in its Packages structure. If storage space is the reason for changing this behaviour, use our guide to find or move the MSFS 2024 package location safely. Consoles manage these files through their own storage systems.
Should you install or stream each package?
Install frequently used packages, stream occasional ones, and use rolling cache only for repeated scenery coverage.
- Install locally when you fly the same aircraft or airport regularly, have variable broadband, or want to avoid retrieving that package again.
- Leave content streamed when it is used rarely and SSD space matters more than predictable loading.
- Install a World Update when you regularly use its hand-crafted airports and points of interest, not because you expect the whole country to work offline.
- Use rolling cache when you revisit the same areas but do not need permanent, individually managed scenery packages.
Local installation reduces downloading for that specific package. It cannot eliminate bandwidth use while the simulator is still retrieving terrain, imagery, photogrammetry, weather or traffic around it.
Does downloaded content make MSFS 2024 work offline?
No: downloading selected packages does not turn Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 into a fully offline simulator.
Some installed aircraft and scenery may load without retrieving their package again, provided platform authentication and the simulator's offline conditions are satisfied. The surrounding world can still lose detail or fall back when cloud scenery is unavailable, while live weather, multiplayer and other online services stop working.
If reliable offline operation matters, sign in and complete all downloads before disconnecting, then test the exact aircraft and location you intend to use. Do not assume that an installed airport also includes the terrain and imagery surrounding it.
Is rolling cache the same as downloading scenery?
No: rolling cache is an automatically managed store of recently streamed world data, not a permanent regional download.
Once the cache reaches its size limit, older data can be replaced. It also does not provide a dependable way to pin a country or flight route for offline use. Our rolling-cache management guide explains where it is stored, when to clear it and what it can retain.
Why is the download option missing or stuck?
The usual cause is that the item is stream-only, although account, update and storage problems can produce similar symptoms.
- No install button: the publisher or simulator has not exposed that package for local storage on your platform.
- Content is missing from the library: confirm that you are signed into the account which owns the entitlement.
- Download remains queued: finish pending simulator or package updates, restart the simulator and check available storage.
- Installed item does not appear: make sure it is enabled and remove any conflicting duplicate from the PC Community folder.
- World Update scenery looks incomplete: confirm that online world data is enabled; the downloaded package does not contain the entire underlying region.