How many GB is Microsoft Flight Simulator: 2020 vs 2024?
Compare Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 storage on PC, Xbox and PlayStation, including space for updates, caches and add-ons.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 needs about 150 GB for its core PC installation; reserve 200 GB or more for updates, cache and add-ons. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has a 50 GB published PC requirement, but 80–100 GB of free SSD space gives useful headroom. Xbox and PlayStation totals vary by build and installed content.
How many GB is Microsoft Flight Simulator?
The required storage depends on the simulator version, platform and content kept locally. These are planning figures rather than guarantees that every installation will occupy exactly the same amount.
| Version and platform | Published or typical size | Practical space to allow |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 on PC | About 150 GB | 200 GB or more |
| MSFS 2020 on Xbox Series X|S | Commonly more than 100 GB; varies by build and content | Check the console total and retain generous update headroom |
| MSFS 2024 on PC | 50 GB published requirement | 80–100 GB for cache, packages and updates |
| MSFS 2024 on Xbox Series X|S or PS5 | Varies by build, edition and locally installed content | Use the console storage screen as the authoritative figure |
| MSFS 2020 and 2024 together on PC | Roughly 200 GB before optional content | 300 GB or more |
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is available on PC and Xbox, not PlayStation. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is also available on PS5 and PS5 Pro. Console sizes change with simulator builds, reserved data and selected packages, so a quoted download size may not match the final installed total.
Edition names do not determine the footprint by themselves. Premium editions provide entitlement to additional aircraft and airports, but storage only increases when that content is installed or retained locally. Our guide to the processor, graphics, memory and storage requirements for MSFS covers the rest of the PC specification.
How much space does MSFS 2020 take up?
MSFS 2020 should be treated as a 150 GB minimum PC installation with at least 200 GB allocated if it will remain installed and receive updates.
The small download shown by a store or launcher may only be the initial application. The simulator then downloads its main package library, including mandatory files and optional content selected through Content Manager.
World Updates, detailed airports, aircraft and Marketplace packages can push the total well beyond the original requirement. User-installed add-ons in the Community folder also count against the drive unless they are deliberately stored or linked elsewhere.
Windows may report a surprisingly small application while the separate Official and Community folders occupy most of the space. This launcher-versus-package mismatch is a common reason simmers underestimate the installation.
Why is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 only 50 GB?
MSFS 2024 has a smaller published PC requirement because it streams far more scenery and aircraft data instead of permanently retaining the entire world on the SSD.
That 50 GB baseline can still grow through rolling cache, downloaded packages, Community add-ons and update files. We suggest allowing 80–100 GB where possible, recognising that this is practical headroom rather than an official minimum. Our explanation of how streaming and local caching make MSFS 2024 smaller covers the architectural difference in more detail.
The trade-off is internet usage. Content not held locally must be streamed again when required. A larger rolling cache can reduce repeat downloads but consumes more disk space; a smaller cache saves capacity while relying more heavily on a stable connection.
Why does the Microsoft Flight Simulator size keep changing?
Microsoft Flight Simulator uses separate core, optional, cache and add-on packages rather than one fixed application folder.
- Mandatory updates replace or add simulator packages and can alter the final total.
- Optional content includes aircraft, handcrafted airports and separately installed MSFS 2020 World Updates.
- Community add-ons range from small liveries to scenery packages occupying many gigabytes.
- Rolling and manual caches reserve space for streamed scenery. Manual caching is available where supported by the simulator version.
- Update working files temporarily consume extra room while packages are downloaded, unpacked and replaced.
- Duplicate package folders can remain after a failed or incomplete drive move, leaving both the old and new copies on disk.
A store listing therefore describes a baseline, not the eventual size after updates and a growing aircraft or scenery collection.
How can you check how much storage MSFS is actually using?
Check the package library, Community folder and cache instead of relying solely on the Windows installed-apps figure.
- Inspect the destination drive. Use Windows storage settings or File Explorer to confirm its used and free capacity.
- Locate the active package library. For MSFS 2020, the
InstalledPackagesPathentry inUserCfg.optidentifies the package root when its location is unclear. - Measure the content folders. Inspect the properties of
OfficialandCommunity. Calculating a large folder may take several minutes. - Review optional packages. Use Content Manager in MSFS 2020 or the library and content controls provided by MSFS 2024.
- Check cache allocation. Rolling-cache and manual-cache files are managed through the simulator's data settings.
On Xbox or PlayStation, use the console's game and add-on management screen. Its displayed total reflects the installed build and local content more accurately than an old download estimate.
How do you reduce the MSFS installation size safely?
Remove optional content and unwanted caches through the simulator before manually touching managed package files.
- Uninstall unused optional packages. For MSFS 2020, start with World Updates, aircraft and airports for regions you do not use. Menu wording differs in MSFS 2024.
- Clean the Community folder. Remove duplicate liveries, obsolete versions and abandoned test packages, or archive them on another drive.
- Reduce or clear the cache. Use the simulator's data settings so its cache records and files remain in step.
- Look for duplicate package libraries. Confirm which Packages location is active before removing an old copy left by a drive move.
- Move the library if necessary. Relocating packages to a larger SSD is safer than deleting managed files individually.
Do not randomly delete files from Official, particularly while the simulator or launcher is running. Missing manifests and partially removed packages can cause unavailable aircraft, mandatory redownloads or an update loop. If the aim is to remove everything rather than reclaim a few gigabytes, follow the complete MSFS PC uninstallation procedure so package folders are not left behind.
What size SSD should you buy for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
A 500 GB SSD is a sensible starting point for one simulator version, while 1 TB is more comfortable for keeping MSFS 2020 and 2024 together or maintaining a substantial add-on library.
- 500 GB: suitable for one version with moderate optional content, provided other applications have not already filled the drive.
- 1 TB: the better choice for both versions, several detailed aircraft and multiple large airports.
- More than 1 TB: useful for extensive scenery collections or several simulators sharing the same drive.
Use an SSD for the main package library. NVMe is preferable where available, but the largest practical improvement comes from avoiding a mechanical hard drive. MSFS 2020 can run from a hard disk, though loading and scenery access will be slower; MSFS 2024 should be installed on an SSD.
On Xbox Series X|S, the locally installed Series-optimised simulator must run from internal storage or compatible expansion storage rather than an ordinary USB hard drive. Xbox Cloud Gaming is different: the full simulator runs on remote hardware, so the console does not store the complete local installation.
Do not buy a drive whose advertised capacity only just matches the expected total. Formatted capacity is lower than the number printed on the box, and simulator updates need unused working space.
Why does the installer say there is not enough disk space?
An insufficient-space warning often means the updater lacks temporary working room, even when the completed installation appears capable of fitting.
- The wrong drive was checked. The launcher, package library, rolling cache and Windows temporary files may occupy different volumes.
- The package drive is nearly full. An update can require room for the old package and its replacement while files are unpacked.
- The system drive lacks temporary space. Keeping packages on another SSD does not stop Windows or the launcher using the system drive during installation.
- A previous download was interrupted. Partial update files may remain and continue consuming capacity.
Verify both the package destination and system drive, remove more data than the displayed shortfall suggests, then restart the installer. Running Microsoft Flight Simulator within a few gigabytes of a full SSD invites failed updates and repeated downloads.