How do I move Microsoft Flight Simulator to another drive?
Move Microsoft Flight Simulator to another drive without a full redownload. Covers Steam, Xbox app, Packages, Community and UserCfg.opt.
On Windows, move Microsoft Flight Simulator’s platform-managed app through Steam, the Xbox app or Windows storage settings, then copy its separate Packages folder and change InstalledPackagesPath in UserCfg.opt. Keep the old files until the simulator recognises the new location; deleting them first can turn a simple move into a complete redownload.
What parts of Microsoft Flight Simulator need moving?
Microsoft Flight Simulator is split between the platform-managed application and a separate package root containing locally installed simulator content.
| Component | What it contains | How to move it |
|---|---|---|
| Platform-managed app | The executable and core application files | Use Steam, the Xbox app or Windows storage controls |
| Packages root | Locally installed official content and the Community folder | Copy it and update InstalledPackagesPath |
| Community folder | Third-party aircraft, scenery and other add-ons | Move with the package root or relocate separately |
| Rolling or manual cache | Cached scenery data | Relocate or recreate it through the simulator’s cache settings |
Moving the Steam or Xbox app installation alone may leave most of the simulator on the old drive. Changing InstalledPackagesPath has the opposite limitation: it redirects package content but does not move the application itself. Our explanation of the MSFS app, Packages and Community locations helps identify which part is consuming the space.
Where is UserCfg.opt in MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
UserCfg.opt is the Windows configuration file containing the active InstalledPackagesPath; its location depends on the edition and platform.
| Edition and platform | Typical UserCfg.opt location |
|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 — Steam | %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\UserCfg.opt |
| MSFS 2020 — Xbox app or Microsoft Store | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\UserCfg.opt |
| MSFS 2024 — Steam | %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\UserCfg.opt |
| MSFS 2024 — Xbox app or Microsoft Store | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\UserCfg.opt |
Paste the relevant path into File Explorer’s address bar. If it does not exist, search your Windows user profile for UserCfg.opt; redirected profiles, abandoned installations and having both editions installed can produce different or duplicate locations.
Open the file in a text editor and find the line beginning InstalledPackagesPath, usually near the end. The active Community folder is normally Community inside that package root. When several configuration files exist, use the one belonging to the edition you are moving and confirm that its path leads to the populated package folder.
How do I move MSFS to another drive without downloading it again?
The safest method is to copy the active package root, redirect the simulator to that copy and remove the source only after a successful test.
- Prepare the destination drive. Check that it has enough space for the complete source folder plus future updates. Give an external drive a stable drive letter and keep it connected whenever Microsoft Flight Simulator runs.
- Close the simulator and its platform client. Finish or cancel active content downloads, close Microsoft Flight Simulator, then exit Steam or the Xbox app. Copying live package files can leave an incomplete destination.
- Record the active Packages path. Back up
UserCfg.optand copy the existing value ofInstalledPackagesPath. Check that this location contains your installed content rather than an empty folder left by an earlier installation. - Move the platform-managed application if required.
- Steam version: create or select a library on the destination drive in Steam’s storage settings. Open Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Properties, select Installed Files and use the move-installation control.
- Xbox app or Microsoft Store version: open the game’s Manage and Files controls and choose the destination drive. Some installations expose a Move option under Windows Settings, Apps and Installed apps instead.
WindowsAppsdirectory. If no supported move control appears, leave the application there and move the much larger Packages folder instead. - Copy the complete package root. Create a destination such as
D:\MSFS\Packagesand copy everything from the oldInstalledPackagesPath. Copy rather than cut so that the working source remains available if anything fails. In MSFS 2020, the destination root should directly contain the existingOfficialandCommunityfolders; do not accidentally createPackages\Packages. - Edit InstalledPackagesPath. Replace the old value in
UserCfg.optwith the destination, for exampleInstalledPackagesPath "D:\MSFS\Packages". Keep the quotation marks, point to the package root rather thanOfficialorCommunity, and ensure the file remainsUserCfg.optrather than becomingUserCfg.opt.txt. - Launch Microsoft Flight Simulator. If an installation or content screen asks for a package location, select the destination containing the copied data. The simulator should inspect or recognise those files. Stop before accepting the operation if it proposes downloading the entire content library.
- Verify before deleting the old folder. Load a flight, check an installed aircraft and confirm that a known Community add-on appears. Close the simulator, remove the old package folder and empty the Recycle Bin only after those checks pass.
Moving between physical drives still requires every local file to be copied once. This procedure avoids downloading the same content again from the internet; it cannot make the local transfer instantaneous.
Why does MSFS want to download everything after the move?
A full download prompt usually means the simulator is reading the wrong package path or the copied folders are nested at the wrong level.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The installer finds little or no existing content | InstalledPackagesPath points above or below the package root | Point it to the folder directly containing the preserved package structure |
The destination contains Packages\Packages | The source folder was copied into another folder with the same name | Move the inner contents up one level or point the configuration to the inner folder |
| The edited path has no effect | The wrong edition’s UserCfg.opt was changed | Check the MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 configuration files separately |
| The change disappears | The simulator was running, the file was saved with the wrong extension or another copy was edited | Close the simulator, reveal file extensions and edit the active file |
| Official content works but add-ons are absent | The populated Community folder was not copied | Check InstalledPackagesPath\Community and restore the missing add-ons |
| Steam reports that the move is complete but the old drive remains full | Steam moved only its managed application files | Move the separate Packages root and check cache files |
| Windows reports access denied | Protected application files were moved manually | Restore them and use the platform’s storage controls |
The mistake we see repeatedly is deleting the source before testing. Platform file verification may repair the application, but it does not guarantee that separately stored official packages or Community add-ons can be recovered without another transfer or download.
Does the method differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024?
Both editions use the app-plus-packages model, but MSFS 2024 streams more world content and may have less permanent package data to transfer.
| Edition | What usually frees the most space | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 | Moving the package root containing official content and Community add-ons | The large local content library must retain its existing folder structure |
| MSFS 2024 | Moving the app, Community add-ons, downloaded packages and retained cache data | Streamed world content is not a permanent library that needs copying |
For a new installation or a 2020-specific relocation, our MSFS 2020 installation guide for another drive covers the Steam and Xbox app choices in more detail.
Control profiles, account entitlements and cloud-associated data are not normally stored in the package root. Some third-party add-ons keep settings elsewhere in the Windows user profile, so moving Community content does not necessarily move every add-on preference or licence file.
Should I move only the MSFS Community folder?
Move only the Community folder when third-party add-ons are consuming the space and you want official packages to remain where they are.
Do not set InstalledPackagesPath to the Community folder itself. That setting expects the parent package root; pointing it directly at Community can make official content appear missing. A folder junction or an add-on management arrangement can keep the simulator’s expected Community path while storing the actual files elsewhere.
Use our focused instructions for moving the MSFS 2020 Community folder or the separate methods for relocating MSFS 2024 Community content. These are safer than redirecting the complete package root when only add-ons need another drive.
Can I install MSFS 2024 on a different drive from the start?
Yes. Select or create a library on the desired drive before installing through Steam, or choose the destination offered by the Xbox app or Windows storage settings.
When setup offers a Packages or content location, choose a normal writable folder on that drive rather than a protected application directory. If no package choice appears, complete the initial launch, close the simulator after it creates UserCfg.opt, then set InstalledPackagesPath before downloading large optional content or installing Community add-ons. The same principle applies to MSFS 2020.
Can I move Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox or PlayStation 5?
Console editions must be transferred with the console’s built-in storage controls; UserCfg.opt applies only to Windows PCs.
- Xbox Series X|S: use the console’s move or copy controls. Microsoft Flight Simulator can run from internal storage or compatible expansion storage; ordinary USB storage can hold the game for archiving but not run the Series-optimised version directly.
- PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 can run from the internal SSD or compatible installed M.2 storage. USB extended storage can archive the PS5 game, but it must be copied back to playable storage. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was never released on PlayStation.