Learn what a GSX profile changes, where to install it for MSFS, FSX or Prepar3D, and how to fix a profile that does not load.
A GSX profile is a small configuration package that tells GSX or GSX Pro how to serve a specific airport or aircraft, including stand stop positions, pushback routes, doors and loading points. Extract it into the correct GSX user-profile folder, restart Couatl, then load the matching scenery and aircraft to confirm it works.
What does a GSX profile change?
An airport profile changes how GSX handles individual parking positions, while an aircraft profile identifies the doors and service points on a particular aeroplane.
| Profile type | Typical settings | What it must match |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Stop positions, marshaller placement, pushback directions, vehicle positions and passenger routes | The airport and, usually, the exact default or third-party scenery package |
| Aircraft | Passenger doors, cargo doors, catering points, loading positions and ground-service connections | The aircraft model or variant recognised internally by the simulator |
A profile does not install GSX, an airport or an aircraft. It only supplies configuration data for an existing installation. A profile made for one airport scenery may position vehicles incorrectly when used with another rendition of the same ICAO airport.
Where does a GSX profile go?
GSX user profiles belong in the active Windows account's roaming application-data folders, not in the MSFS Community folder or an airport's installation directory.
| Platform and profile | Typical user location |
|---|---|
| MSFS airport profile | %APPDATA%\Virtuali\GSX\MSFS |
| FSX or Prepar3D airport profile | %APPDATA%\Virtuali\GSX |
| Aircraft profile | %APPDATA%\Virtuali\Airplanes\[profile folder] |
Enter %APPDATA% in Windows File Explorer's address bar to open the correct folder without manually exposing hidden directories. Folder arrangements can differ between GSX generations, so the profile's supplied instructions take precedence. Our guides give the exact MSFS profile paths and matching procedure and the corresponding Prepar3D profile installation method.
These instructions apply to Windows PC. Console editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator cannot install GSX or loose GSX profiles.
How do I install a downloaded GSX profile?
Install a downloaded GSX profile by extracting the archive, copying its files into the appropriate user folder and restarting the Couatl engine.
- Check compatibility. Confirm the profile names your simulator, GSX generation, airport scenery or aircraft variant. Pay attention when a download distinguishes between Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024.
- Extract the archive. Do not place the ZIP or RAR archive directly in the profile folder. Open the extracted directory and read any included instructions.
- Identify the profile type. Airport profiles commonly include an
.inifile and sometimes companion files. Aircraft profiles often arrive as a named folder containinggsx.cfg. - Copy the supplied files. Preserve the package's directory structure. If it already contains folders such as
Virtuali,GSXorAirplanes, merge them at the corresponding level rather than creating a second nested copy. - Restart GSX. Restart Couatl through the available GSX controls, or close and reopen the simulator if that option is unavailable.
- Test the intended combination. Load the exact airport scenery, parking stand and aircraft for which the profile was made. Check the named pushback choices, stop position, doors and vehicle placement.
How do I know the GSX profile is active?
The clearest confirmation is that the profile's customised stands, pushback choices or aircraft service points appear in GSX. Opening the GSX menu only proves the base add-on is running; it does not prove that a particular profile was matched.
Where available, open the airport or aircraft customisation screen and inspect the active configuration source. Avoid editing and saving immediately, because doing so can create another user profile before you have established which file GSX loaded.
Why is my GSX profile not loading?
Most non-loading GSX profiles are in the wrong folder, contain an extra directory level or do not match the active scenery package.
- The archive was not extracted: GSX cannot read configuration files still held inside a compressed download.
- There is an extra folder level: a path ending in something such as
MSFS\Downloaded-profile\profile.inimay fail when the files were meant to sit directly insideMSFS. - The wrong scenery is active: profiles can be tied to a specific airport package or scenery path. The same ICAO code alone does not guarantee a match.
- Another profile takes priority: remove or temporarily relocate duplicates rather than renaming files at random. MSFS users can follow our method for matching profiles to scenery and resolving conflicts.
- The aircraft identity differs: two liveries or variants that look alike may use different internal aircraft folders, preventing an aircraft profile from being selected.
- Couatl was not restarted: reload the engine after copying or replacing profile files.
- GSX itself is not running: if the GSX menu is absent or Couatl reports an error, repair the base installation first; moving the profile again will not solve that fault.
Do not install profiles inside the GSX programme directory merely because that folder is easier to find. Updates can replace programme files, whereas the roaming user folders are intended for custom configurations.