Learn what MSFS rolling cache stores, when to turn it on or off in MSFS 2020 and 2024, how large it should be and when to rebuild it.
Rolling cache in Microsoft Flight Simulator is a fixed-size disk file that saves recently streamed terrain, aerial imagery and photogrammetry for reuse. Leave it on if you revisit areas or have slow, capped or unreliable internet; turn it off if a fast connection performs better without it, storage is tight, or cache activity causes problems.
What does the rolling cache store?
The rolling cache stores world data downloaded while you fly. Once it reaches its configured limit, older scenery tiles are replaced automatically by newer ones—hence the name “rolling” cache.
It does not contain installed aircraft, Marketplace packages, Community add-ons, control profiles, live weather or logbook data. It also does not download the whole world for offline use; only scenery already streamed during your flights can be reused.
Where a separate Manual Cache option is available, it reserves selected map areas in advance. Rolling cache instead fills and replaces itself automatically as you fly.
Should MSFS 2020 rolling cache be on or off?
For most simmers, the best starting point in MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 is to leave rolling cache enabled at its default size and change it only for a clear reason.
| Factor | Leave it on | Consider turning it off |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | Slow, unstable or metered | Fast, stable and unlimited |
| Flying habits | You revisit the same airports or regions | You usually fly in different parts of the world |
| Storage | A healthy SSD has ample free space | The drive is slow, nearly full or heavily used |
| Troubleshooting | Scenery loads normally | Cached scenery appears stale or corrupt, or cache writes cause pauses |
Neither setting is universally faster. Rolling cache offers little benefit on a first visit because the scenery still has to be downloaded; its value appears when you return to the same tiles. Menu wording and storage controls vary between simulator versions and platforms.
How large should the rolling cache be?
Start with the simulator’s default and increase it only if you repeatedly fly across a broad region. A larger file does not preload scenery, sharpen textures or guarantee offline flying.
Leave ample capacity for simulator updates, temporary files and installed scenery. On PC, use a fast local SSD where a cache-location selector is available; avoid slow hard drives, cloud-synchronised folders and removable storage. Dense photogrammetry consumes cache space faster than ordinary terrain.
For the MSFS 2020 menu location and the distinction between rolling, manual and online data, see our guide to managing Data settings and cache.
Does rolling cache improve FPS or scenery quality?
No. Rolling cache does not increase the simulator’s maximum scenery quality or directly raise average FPS. It can reduce repeated network transfers and sometimes lessen late-loading terrain or brief pauses, but a slow or busy cache drive can produce pauses of its own.
If scenery remains soft, check online world data, photogrammetry, bandwidth limits, server delivery and level-of-detail settings rather than continually enlarging the cache. MSFS 2024 users can follow our slow scenery loading checks to isolate those causes.
How do I test rolling cache properly?
Compare both settings with the same repeatable flight and judge scenery delivery, pauses and network use rather than FPS alone.
- Set a baseline. Use the same aircraft, airport, route, graphics options and weather preset.
- Test with caching on. Fly the route once to populate the cache, then repeat it. Comparing only the uncached first run gives a misleading result.
- Test with caching off. Apply the change and repeat the same route without altering graphics settings.
- Compare the symptoms. Watch terrain loading, photogrammetry detail, bandwidth use and pauses.
If pauses occur only with caching enabled, the selected drive may be slow, nearly full or busy. Rolling cache is not a universal stutter fix; our broader MSFS stutter diagnosis covers CPU, graphics and add-on causes.
When should you clear the rolling cache?
Clear and rebuild it when one area remains malformed, scenery refuses to update, problems follow an interrupted cache move or resize, or you are testing unexplained stutters or crashes. Routine clearing after every flight or simulator update only removes its bandwidth-saving benefit.
- Return to the main menu. Open Rolling Cache under the simulator’s online or data settings while no flight is running.
- Delete the cache. Use the in-simulator control rather than deleting unknown files while MSFS is open. Turning caching off may not remove the allocated file, so check the delete control or configured location.
- Restart and retest. Revisit the affected area with online world data enabled. The first load will use more bandwidth because fresh scenery must be downloaded.
- Recreate it if required. Choose a sensible size and, where supported, a healthy SSD location.
Our version-specific clearing instructions explain the controls in more detail. If crashes continue with the cache disabled, check add-ons, drivers and memory pressure because the cache is not the sole cause.
Does clearing rolling cache delete add-ons?
No. It removes only cached streamed world data, not Community or Marketplace content, aircraft, control mappings, settings or logbook records. Previously visited scenery simply has to download again.
Can rolling cache replace an internet connection?
No. Some recently visited terrain may remain available, but older tiles are automatically replaced and online services still require a connection. For reliable offline use, install the simulator’s supported offline data and expect less detailed scenery than streamed aerial imagery and photogrammetry.