Where is the MSFS 2024 StreamedPackages folder?

On Windows PC, the MSFS 2024 streamed packages folder is %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\StreamedPackages for Microsoft Store/Xbox app installs, or %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\StreamedPackages for Steam. It is separate from both the protected game installation and the Community add-on folder; Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 users cannot browse it.

How do I open the MSFS 2024 StreamedPackages folder?

Paste the complete path for your PC installation directly into File Explorer’s address bar.

1. Open File Explorer. You do not need to enable hidden files or browse manually through AppData.
2. Paste the matching path. Use %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.Limitless_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\StreamedPackages for the Microsoft Store or Xbox app release. Use %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024\StreamedPackages for Steam.
3. Press Enter. Windows expands %LOCALAPPDATA% or %APPDATA% to the profile belonging to the signed-in Windows user.

A mistake we see constantly is looking inside WindowsApps, the Steam library or the drive containing the simulator executable. Those are application locations, not this per-user streamed-content folder.

Why is StreamedPackages missing or empty?

A missing or empty StreamedPackages folder usually means the wrong storefront path or Windows profile is being checked, or MSFS 2024 has not yet populated the cache.

• Wrong PC release: Steam and Microsoft Store/Xbox app installations use different profile directories.
• Wrong Windows account: each Windows user has separate AppData folders.
• No cached content yet: launch Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and use the aircraft or area whose files you expect to be streamed, then close the simulator normally before checking again.
• LocalState and LocalCache were confused: the Microsoft Store streamed folder is under LocalState, not the main LocalCache\Packages directory.

Do not create an empty folder to install an add-on. MSFS 2024 creates and manages StreamedPackages itself; creating it manually does not redirect streamed content.

Is StreamedPackages the same as the Packages folder?

No. StreamedPackages is simulator-managed per-user data for content delivered from the cloud, while the main Packages directory contains areas such as Community and locally installed package content.

The active main package location is recorded as InstalledPackagesPath in UserCfg.opt. If that is the folder you need, use our instructions for finding UserCfg.opt and reading its package path. Appending StreamedPackages to a custom InstalledPackagesPath is not the reliable way to locate the profile cache described above.

Can I delete StreamedPackages or put add-ons in it?

Do not put manually downloaded add-ons in StreamedPackages, and do not delete it as routine housekeeping. Its contents can be replaced or overwritten whenever Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 streams or repairs a package.

PC add-ons belong in the active Community directory; our Community-folder setup instructions explain how to find and use it. Editing files directly inside StreamedPackages is unreliable because their names, structure and cached state are controlled by the simulator.

If troubleshooting instructions specifically require clearing this folder, close MSFS 2024 first. The simulator can fetch required streamed files again, but expect additional bandwidth use and longer loading while the cache is rebuilt. If the aim is to retain content locally, use the simulator’s content controls rather than moving cached files manually; see our explanation of streamed versus installed MSFS 2024 content.