Stop MSFS 2020 downloading content every launch by fixing its Packages path, storage access, incomplete updates or rolling-cache behaviour.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 usually downloads content every launch because it cannot find or retain the installed Packages folder, an update never completed, or the apparent download is streamed scenery rather than core files. Verify the active package path, keep that drive available and writable, then repair only the package that is looping.
What is MSFS 2020 actually downloading?
The stage at which data moves identifies whether this is a broken package installation or normal online scenery streaming.
| What you see | What it means | Is repetition normal? |
|---|---|---|
| A brief Checking for updates stage | MSFS is comparing its package manifests with the available versions. | Yes, provided it finishes without downloading the same large package. |
| An installation screen showing a package name, percentage or gigabyte total | A core, official or optional package is being downloaded or repaired. | No, not if the same package and size return after every clean restart. |
| Decompressing or heavy disk activity with little network traffic | The installer is unpacking files already downloaded. | Let it finish; interrupting this stage can create an update loop. |
| Network usage while flying | Bing scenery, photogrammetry, weather, traffic or multiplayer data is being streamed. | Yes, when those online features are enabled. |
A simulator update or newly installed World Update can legitimately require one substantial download. Repeating the identical download on every launch is the fault condition.
How do I stop MSFS 2020 downloading packages repeatedly on PC?
On PC, fix the package path before reinstalling anything; the small game client and the much larger content library are stored separately.
- Confirm that data is really being downloaded. Note the package name and total shown by MSFS, then compare network and disk activity in Windows Task Manager. Decompression can look like another download even when the network is nearly idle.
- Close MSFS and inspect UserCfg.opt. The final
InstalledPackagesPathentry tells the simulator where its content is stored. Its location differs between Microsoft Store/Xbox app and Steam installations, so use our edition-specific guide to finding and reading UserCfg.opt. - Point it at the existing package root. The selected folder should directly contain
Officialand, normally,Community. A mistake we see often is selectingOfficialitself or an empty folder with a similar name, causing MSFS to create a second library and download everything again. Our PC package-location checks help distinguish the active folder from abandoned duplicates. - Make the storage available before launch. If packages are on another drive, it must be connected, mounted and using the same drive letter before MSFS starts. A fixed local drive is preferable when removable, network or synchronised storage repeatedly disappears.
- Check free space and write access. Updates need room for both the download and temporary unpacking. Review Windows Security or third-party security history for blocked writes and create a narrow exception only if a genuine MSFS file was blocked; do not disable protection or take ownership of the protected
WindowsAppsfolder. - Resume using the existing folder. If the installer asks where to place content, select the verified package root rather than accepting a new empty default. Allow downloading and decompression to finish, reach the main menu, and exit normally once so the package state is saved.
- Repair only the failed item. If one optional aircraft, airport or World Update keeps returning, remove and reinstall that named item through Content Manager. Do not delete the entire
Officialfolder to fix one damaged package.
Before deleting any duplicate package folder, temporarily rename it and confirm that MSFS still loads all expected aircraft and scenery from the verified location. This avoids erasing the only complete copy.
Why does the same MSFS update return after restarting?
A repeated mandatory update usually means its files were downloaded but never unpacked, validated or recorded successfully.
Ensure there is ample free space, allow the decompression stage to complete and close the simulator normally. If MSFS never reaches the main menu, follow our targeted fixes for an update loop before the main menu; they cover package-path, permissions and platform-specific update failures without requiring an immediate full reinstall.
Avoid repeatedly cancelling the installer, force-closing MSFS during decompression or switching between different destination folders. Each can leave partial files that the next launch must check or fetch again.
Why does scenery keep downloading while I fly?
Scenery streaming is normal when Bing Data World Graphics, Photogrammetry or other online services are enabled.
Rolling cache retains some previously visited scenery, but it is finite: old data is replaced as the cache fills, and clearing or deleting the cache makes those areas download again. Do not reset it routinely. If corruption is suspected, use our safe rolling-cache reset procedure once and let the cache rebuild.
To stop scenery network traffic completely, disable Bing world data and photogrammetry under General Options > Data, or disable online functionality. MSFS will then use installed offline scenery, with a noticeable reduction in ground detail. This does not fix a looping package update; it only stops streamed online data.
How do I stop repeated downloads on Xbox?
Xbox users cannot edit UserCfg.opt, so repeated package downloads must be handled through storage management and MSFS Content Manager.
- Let the base-game update and any decompression finish before quitting.
- Check Manage game and add-ons for a pending simulator update and ensure the installation storage has enough free space.
- Fully quit and restart MSFS if Quick Resume restores a stalled update session.
- Remove and reinstall only the named package through Content Manager when one add-on repeatedly fails.
- Avoid clearing reserved space or local saved data as a routine fix, because doing so can force cached or installed content to be rebuilt or downloaded again.
Should I reinstall MSFS 2020?
Reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 only after verifying the active Packages path, storage access and the identity of the failed package.
Reinstalling the small launcher does not correct a bad InstalledPackagesPath, while deleting the full content library can turn a repairable loop into another very large download. If reinstalling becomes necessary, record the working package location first and preserve confirmed-good content until the new installation recognises it.