Where are MSFS 2024 configuration and log files located?

On Windows, MSFS 2024's main configuration folder is %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 for Steam and %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache for Microsoft Store/Xbox app installations. Steam diagnostics such as Report-loading.toml share its folder; Store builds put that report in LocalState. Crash records live in Windows, not a standard MSFS log folder.

MSFS 2024 file locations on Windows

Press Windows key + R, paste the relevant path below and press Enter. This avoids having to reveal the hidden AppData folder manually.

%APPDATA% normally expands to C:\Users\<name>\AppData\Roaming, while %LOCALAPPDATA% expands to C:\Users\<name>\AppData\Local. Windows profile redirection can change the physical drive, so the environment-variable paths are safer than typing a full path.

Installing MSFS 2024 or its streamed content on another drive does not normally move these per-user folders. Configuration files are also separate from the executable, Packages and Community directories; our guide can help you identify the active Packages and Community folders.

Which MSFS 2024 files contain configuration settings?

UserCfg.opt is the principal local configuration file and records graphics options plus the active InstalledPackagesPath. Close the simulator and make a backup before editing it; if it is missing or points to the wrong content directory, follow our steps to check and restore UserCfg.opt.

• UserCfg.opt: local simulator options and the Packages path.
• exe.xml: instructions for starting compatible external utilities with the simulator. It may not exist until something creates it; see how to locate and edit exe.xml safely.
• FlightSimulator.CFG: simulator-managed state found in some installations. Do not copy an older MSFS 2020 version over it.
• Content.xml, scenery indexes and streamed-package data: generated content records rather than ordinary preference files. Removing them can force a rebuild, so do that only for a specific troubleshooting reason.
• Controller profiles: these are cloud-synchronised account data rather than a simple, dependable text file beside UserCfg.opt. We cover where MSFS 2024 controller profiles are stored separately.

Add-ons can keep their own settings under the Community package, Windows user folders or a vendor-specific directory. There is no single MSFS folder containing every add-on's configuration.

Where are the MSFS 2024 crash logs?

MSFS 2024 does not normally create one permanent, comprehensive crash log in its configuration folder. Use Windows Reliability Monitor or the Application log in Event Viewer to identify a crash, then check for an optional dump only if deeper diagnosis is required.

1. Record the failure time. Reproduce the crash if practical and note the time closely, because Windows records many unrelated events.
2. Open Reliability Monitor. Press Windows key + R, run perfmon /rel, select the failure and inspect its technical details.
3. Check Event Viewer. Run eventvwr.msc, open Windows Logs and then Application, and inspect Error entries matching the crash time. An Application Error or Windows Error Reporting entry may show the faulting module and exception code.
4. Look for a dump only if needed. Check %LOCALAPPDATA%\CrashDumps, but do not expect a file after every crash. Windows dump capture must be enabled or requested by the crashing process.
5. Preserve relevant evidence. Copy the event details, dump or package report before launching repeatedly; diagnostic files and reports can be replaced or cleaned up.

Is Report-loading.toml a full simulator log?

No. Report-loading.toml is primarily a package-loading report, useful when MSFS stalls during startup, rejects content or fails to mount an aircraft or scenery package. It is not a complete chronological record of a flight and may not explain graphics-driver, memory or hardware-related crashes.

Developer Mode's Console can show live aircraft, scenery and script errors, but those messages should not be treated as a guaranteed permanent log. Record or export the relevant entries before closing the simulator.

Why can't I find the folder or file?

The usual causes are selecting the wrong distribution path, checking an MSFS 2020 folder or looking for a report that has not yet been generated.

• Launch MSFS 2024 once: the per-user folders and several files are created during or after the first successful start.
• Use the correct edition: Steam uses the Roaming path; Microsoft Store, PC Game Pass and Xbox app installations use the Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe package folder.
• Avoid the old simulator path: MSFS 2020 used different folder names, including Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe for its Store build and a Steam folder without 2024.
• Check file extensions: Windows may display UserCfg.opt or Report-loading.toml without making the extension obvious in search results.
• Close the simulator before editing: MSFS can overwrite an open configuration file while shutting down or synchronising account data.

Can I access these files on Xbox or PlayStation?

No. These paths apply only to the Windows PC version of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5/PS5 Pro do not expose the simulator's configuration, package-report or Windows event files through a desktop-style filesystem.