Why does FSX start on the runway instead of the menu?

FSX starts directly on the runway because the Show opening screen option is disabled. With that setting off, FSX and FSX: Steam Edition skip the Free Flight menu and immediately load the saved default flight. Re-enable the option in General settings, then restart the simulator to restore the opening menu.

How do I make FSX show the main menu again?

Turn the opening-screen setting back on from the flight that FSX has loaded.

1. Press Alt if the simulator's menu bar is hidden.
2. Open Options, select Settings, then open General.
3. Tick Show opening screen.
4. Confirm the change, close FSX normally and launch it again.

The procedure is the same in boxed FSX and FSX: Steam Edition. Some users disable this setting deliberately to reduce the time spent at the opening screen; if loading itself is taking too long, use our checks for fixing long FSX startup times instead.

Why does FSX choose that particular runway?

Skipping the menu does not itself select a runway; FSX simply loads whichever flight is marked as the default. That saved flight controls the aircraft, airport, runway or parking position, weather, time and much of the cockpit state.

If no custom default has been saved, FSX uses its standard startup flight. If you previously saved a flight and marked it as the default, that flight will appear every time the opening screen is disabled.

Can FSX skip the menu but start at a gate?

Yes. Create a flight at the required airport, choose a gate or parking stand, configure the aircraft, then save the flight and mark it as the default. Leave Show opening screen unticked if you still want FSX to load it immediately.

Airport parking selection has a few common traps, particularly aircraft size and occupied stands, so follow our instructions for setting an FSX flight at a gate or parking position. For a ready-made alternative using a parked aircraft, our parked cold-and-dark startup package can replace the usual default situation.

Complex add-on aircraft may not preserve every switch or system state in an ordinary FSX saved flight. Where the aircraft includes its own panel-state loader, use that alongside the saved default flight.

What if Show opening screen is enabled but FSX still bypasses it?

If the box is already ticked, something may be launching a flight directly or preventing FSX from saving the setting.

• Check how FSX is launched: opening a saved .FLT file or using a shortcut configured to load one can bypass the normal opening screen. Start FSX from its ordinary programme shortcut instead.
• Exit normally after changing the option: a crash or forced shutdown can prevent configuration changes from being written.
• Check configuration access: a read-only file, restricted user profile or security tool can stop FSX retaining preferences.
• Rebuild the configuration as a last resort: close FSX, back up and rename the active per-user FSX configuration file, then restart. FSX will generate a clean one, but graphics settings and other custom configuration changes will need to be applied again.

Boxed FSX and Steam Edition can use different configuration profiles, especially when both have existed on the same computer. Make sure any repair is applied to the profile belonging to the installation you actually launch.