How do I install scenery add-ons in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX)?

To install scenery add-ons in Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX), we either run the add-on's installer and point it to the correct FSX folder, or copy the scenery files into a folder manually and then activate that folder in Settings > Scenery Library. The most common mistake is adding the wrong folder level, so FSX cannot see the scenery and texture files.

How do I install scenery add-ons in FSX?

There are two normal ways to install scenery in FSX and FSX: Steam Edition:

• Automatic installer: the add-on includes a setup program that copies the files and may add the scenery to the library for us.
• Manual installation: we extract the download, place the files in a scenery folder, then add that folder inside FSX.

Both versions of FSX use the same basic scenery system. The menu names and library process are effectively the same, even if the actual install path on your PC is different.

Before installing any FSX scenery

First, extract the downloaded archive fully. Do not try to install scenery straight from a ZIP, RAR or 7Z file. FSX needs real folders on the drive.

We also suggest reading any included readme file before copying anything. Some scenery packages include extra effects, sounds, seasonal textures or terrain files that need a slightly different install method.

If your FSX installation sits under Program Files, Windows permissions can sometimes interfere with older add-ons. Scenery usually still works there, but if files fail to copy or settings do not stick, permissions are often the reason.

Manual installation: the method that works for most scenery add-ons

1. Download and extract the scenery package to a temporary folder so you can see its contents clearly.
2. Check the folder structure. A standard scenery package usually contains a main folder with one or both of these subfolders: Scenery and Texture.
3. Create or choose an install location. We can place the add-on inside FSX's existing Addon Scenery folder, or keep it in a separate folder elsewhere and add it through the library.
4. Copy the scenery folder into place. The folder you will add in FSX should normally be the parent folder that contains the Scenery and Texture subfolders.
5. Open FSX, then go to Settings > Scenery Library.
6. Click Add Area and browse to the scenery's main folder.
7. Select the correct folder. In many FSX installations, especially older ones, the Add Area dialogue behaves oddly. After opening the scenery folder, you may need to click in the blank white area or confirm the folder rather than opening deeper subfolders. If you select the Scenery subfolder itself instead of the parent folder, FSX may not load the add-on properly.
8. Confirm and let FSX rebuild the scenery database. FSX usually prompts for a restart or reload of scenery areas.
9. Check the scenery priority in the library. If the new scenery should override default terrain or airport data, move it higher in the list.

That is the core process for most freeware scenery from our FSX downloads library.

What should the FSX scenery folder look like?

For standard scenery, the folder you add to the library should usually look something like this:

Your Scenery Name
├─ Scenery
└─ Texture

The actual BGL files live inside the Scenery folder. Texture files, if included, live inside Texture.

If your extracted download looks like this instead:

Your Scenery Name
└─ Another Folder
   ├─ Scenery
   └─ Texture

then the folder to add in FSX is often Another Folder, not the top-level folder. This is one of the biggest reasons scenery appears to install correctly but never shows in the sim.

Where should I put FSX scenery files?

We generally use one of these two approaches:

Both methods work. We often prefer separate folders for big scenery libraries because updates and uninstalls are easier to manage.

How do installer-based scenery add-ons work?

If the scenery comes with a setup program, installation is usually straightforward:

1. Run the installer and, if needed, allow it permission to make changes.
2. Choose the correct simulator if it asks. Some older packages support multiple sims.
3. Point it to your FSX folder if the installer does not detect it automatically.
4. Finish the install and then start FSX to confirm the scenery appears in the library or loads in-sim.

Do not assume the installer picked the right location. This matters most if you have both boxed FSX and FSX: Steam Edition installed, or if your simulator lives on a custom drive.

Do FSX and FSX: Steam Edition install scenery the same way?

Yes, almost always. The scenery library, folder structure and activation process are basically the same.

The main difference is simply where the simulator is installed on disk.

Why is my FSX scenery add-on not showing up?

If the scenery installs but you cannot see it, work through these checks:

• Wrong folder level added: the most common problem. Add the parent folder that contains Scenery and Texture.
• Scenery not activated: confirm it appears in Scenery Library and is ticked or enabled.
• Priority too low: airport scenery may sit underneath another airport or landclass layer.
• Wrong sim path during install: common with auto-installers and multiple simulator installations.
• Missing textures or extra files: some packages include effects or library objects that also need copying.
• Need to restart FSX: some changes do not display properly until the sim fully reloads.
• Using the wrong airport or coordinates: verify you are actually at the scenery location and not at the default version elsewhere.

What about landclass, mesh and photo scenery?

The installation idea is the same, but placement in the scenery library matters more.

• Airport scenery usually needs to sit fairly high in the library.
• Landclass often needs careful ordering relative to other terrain products.
• Mesh typically sits lower than airport and landclass layers.
• Photo scenery may come with large texture folders and can affect performance if installed in bulk.

If a package includes specific layer-order instructions, follow them. Terrain products can technically install correctly and still display wrongly if the order is off.

How do I uninstall or update scenery in FSX?

To remove manual scenery cleanly:

1. Open Scenery Library and remove or disable the scenery area first.
2. Close FSX.
3. Delete the scenery folder from the drive if you no longer want it.

For an update, we normally remove the old entry, replace the files with the new version, then add or re-enable the scenery again if needed. Installer-based products may include their own uninstall option, but manual removal is often still possible if the scenery is self-contained.

Best practice for keeping FSX scenery organised

If you plan to install a lot of scenery, a little organisation saves a lot of trouble later.

• Keep each add-on in its own named folder.
• Do not mix unrelated airports into one generic scenery folder.
• Keep the original download and readme in case you need to reinstall.
• Make a note of library order changes when adding terrain products.
• Back up key scenery folders before large changes.

FSX handles scenery well when the folder structure is clean and the library order makes sense. Most installation problems come down to one small detail: the wrong folder was added, or the files were copied to the wrong place.