Find the FS2004 installation folder on Windows, identify it by fs9.exe, and avoid confusing the real location with AppData or VirtualStore.
The FS2004 installation folder is the directory containing fs9.exe. On 64-bit Windows, the default CD-edition path is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9; on 32-bit Windows it is normally under C:\Program Files. A custom installation may be elsewhere, so checking the shortcut target is definitive.
What is the default FS2004 folder location?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight normally uses one of these locations:
| Installation | Likely FS2004 root folder |
|---|---|
| 64-bit Windows default | C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9 |
| 32-bit Windows default | C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9 |
| Custom installation | A chosen folder such as C:\FS2004 |
The directory name is usually Flight Simulator 9, not FS2004. Installing the FS9.1 update does not create a separate simulator root.
How do I find the exact FS2004 installation folder?
The quickest method is to inspect the shortcut used to launch FS2004.
- Right-click the FS2004 shortcut on the desktop or Start menu and select Properties.
- Open the Shortcut tab and read the Target field. It should end with
fs9.exe. - Select Open File Location, if available. The folder that opens is the active FS2004 installation directory.
- Search for
fs9.exefrom File Explorer's This PC view if the shortcut is missing. With multiple results, use the executable matching the shortcut or installation you actually launch.
For add-on installers, choose the directory containing fs9.exe. Do not select Addon Scenery, Aircraft or another subfolder unless the installer specifically requests it. Our guide to placing FS2004 add-on files explains which content belongs in each folder.
How can I confirm that it is the FS2004 root folder?
The correct root contains fs9.exe alongside familiar directories such as:
AircraftAddon SceneryGaugesScenerySoundTexture
A common mistake is selecting Microsoft Games, one level too high, or an individual scenery folder several levels too low. The presence of fs9.exe is the reliable test.
Why are some FS2004 files in VirtualStore?
Windows may redirect files written by older add-ons when FS2004 is installed under the protected Program Files directories. Redirected files can appear beneath a path such as C:\Users\<your-name>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games\Flight Simulator 9.
VirtualStore is not the real FS2004 installation folder. It is a per-user compatibility location, and split files between the two directories can make scenery or aircraft changes difficult to diagnose. A custom folder such as C:\FS2004 avoids many permission problems; see our recommended FS2004 locations on Windows 11 before reinstalling. Do not simply drag an existing installation elsewhere, because shortcuts, registry references and add-on paths may still point to the old location.
Is FS9.cfg stored in the installation folder?
No. FS9.cfg is kept in the Windows user-profile data directories, separate from the folder containing fs9.exe. If you need to edit or reset that file, use the appropriate FS9.cfg path for modern Windows rather than searching the simulator root.