Install MSFS Map Enhancement in MSFS 2020 correctly, enable the required data settings, clear stale cache and fix blank or unchanged imagery.
Install MSFS Map Enhancement for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 as a separate Windows application, not in the Community folder. Close the simulator, install the utility from its official release package, run it with the permissions it requests, choose an imagery source, start the redirection service, then launch MSFS 2020 with online data enabled.
Where does MSFS Map Enhancement go?
MSFS Map Enhancement belongs in Windows as an external application; it does not go in Community, Official or Content Manager. It redirects the simulator’s streamed map requests through a local service rather than adding a conventional scenery package.
This distinction prevents a mistake we see constantly. If a download is an aircraft or scenery folder containing files such as manifest.json, follow our Community-folder instructions for conventional MSFS 2020 mods. An installer or executable for Map Enhancement stays outside the simulator’s package folders.
- Microsoft Store and Steam PC editions: the installation principle is the same because the utility works with streamed imagery, not the simulator’s installation path.
- Xbox: Map Enhancement cannot be installed because Xbox does not run external Windows utilities.
- Add-on managers: do not use them for Map Enhancement; they manage package folders rather than local network services.
How to install MSFS Map Enhancement in MSFS 2020
Install and start the utility before opening Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 so its local redirection service is ready when the simulator requests map tiles.
- Close MSFS 2020. Also stop and exit any older Map Enhancement installation before updating it.
- Obtain the official Windows release. Use a release that lists MSFS 2020 support. If it arrives as a compressed archive, extract it to a permanent folder first rather than running it from inside the archive.
- Run the supplied installer or application. Let an installer use its normal application location; do not direct it to
Communityor the main MSFS folder. Avoid combining files from different releases. - Approve only the permissions it needs. The utility may request administrator access or a firewall exception because it operates a local service and may change local routing or hosts rules. Verify that the package is the developer’s official release rather than disabling Windows security indiscriminately.
- Select an imagery source. Use a source you are authorised to access and provide any credentials requested by that source. Availability, usage limits and access requirements can change independently of MSFS.
- Start the redirection service. Wait until the application reports that it is running, then leave its service active while flying. Whether the window may be minimised or closed to the notification area depends on the release.
- Launch MSFS 2020. Load a familiar area and compare distinctive roads, fields and coastlines rather than judging the result from an airport apron alone.
Which MSFS 2020 data settings must be enabled?
MSFS 2020 must be allowed to request online world imagery or Map Enhancement has nothing to redirect.
Open Options > General Options > Data and check the following:
- Online Functionality: on.
- Bing Data World Graphics: on.
- Rolling Cache: delete the existing cache and switch it off for the first test. It can otherwise serve old tiles and make the utility appear ineffective.
- Data limits: make sure the simulator has not reached a configured usage limit.
- Photogrammetry: optional. Leave it on for Microsoft’s 3D city geometry, or turn it off while diagnosing colour mismatches and unusual overlays.
Manual cache regions can also conceal an imagery change. Remove or update a cached region before comparing sources. Once everything works, you may test Rolling Cache again, but clear it whenever stale imagery returns.
Why is Map Enhancement installed but not working?
Most failures come from cached tiles, blocked local traffic, an unavailable imagery source or routing changes left behind after the utility closed unexpectedly.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The scenery looks unchanged | Old rolling or manual cache data, or the service was started too late | Close MSFS, clear its caches, start Map Enhancement first and then relaunch the simulator. |
| Blank, missing or chequered tiles appear | The selected source is unavailable or its traffic is blocked | Stop redirection and confirm standard Bing imagery works. Then check the utility’s status, source access and specific firewall permission. |
| The service reports access denied or will not start | Insufficient Windows permission or a blocked helper process | Verify the official package, run it with the requested elevation and permit that application rather than turning off security protection. |
| MSFS loses online imagery after the utility closes | Local routing or hosts changes were not restored | Reopen the utility and use its Stop, Restore or Default action; the exact label varies by release. Restart Windows before testing standard Bing imagery again. |
| Replacement imagery works but 3D cities look mismatched | Photogrammetry is being overlaid on imagery from a different source | Turn Photogrammetry off temporarily. If the aerial layer then looks correct, the installation itself is working. |
MSFS 2020 does not reliably replace all streamed scenery during an active flight. After changing the source, cache or network settings, use our restart-and-reload procedure for MSFS scenery rather than repeatedly returning to the main menu.
How do I uninstall Map Enhancement safely?
Stop its redirection service and restore standard map routing before removing the application.
- Close MSFS 2020.
- Open Map Enhancement and stop the service.
- Use its restore or default-imagery function if one is provided, especially if the utility changed hosts, proxy or local routing settings.
- Exit and uninstall the application through Windows or its supplied uninstaller.
- Restart Windows and clear the MSFS rolling cache before testing standard Bing imagery.
Do not simply delete the programme folder while its service is active. That can leave MSFS trying to contact a local redirection service that no longer exists, resulting in blank scenery or failed online data.