Reinstall GSX Pro safely in MSFS 2020 or 2024, preserve profiles, rebuild package links and fix common installer failures.
To reinstall GSX Pro in Microsoft Flight Simulator, close MSFS and Couatl, uninstall GSX Pro through the FSDT Universal Installer, then install it again for the correct MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 target. Let the installer recreate the Community-folder links; do not manually remove its managed Addon Manager files.
These instructions apply to GSX Pro on Windows PCs. The desktop installer cannot be used with the Xbox or PlayStation editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and legacy GSX for FSX or Prepar3D has a different installation process.
Should I update or reinstall GSX Pro?
Use the installer's update or file-check function first unless the installation or its Community links are clearly damaged. This is quicker and less likely to disturb a working configuration.
- Update or check files after a routine GSX update, a single missing file or an isolated Couatl error.
- Reinstall GSX Pro after moving MSFS, changing the Community-folder location, damaging package links or failing to repair repeated Couatl problems.
- Reset user data separately when incorrect stands, vehicle positions or aircraft doors persist after reinstalling. Those settings are stored outside the main package and may survive an uninstall.
How do I completely reinstall GSX Pro?
- Close MSFS and Couatl. Exit Microsoft Flight Simulator and the FSDT installer. Check the Windows notification area or Task Manager and stop Couatl if it remains open.
- Back up custom profiles. Copy
%APPDATA%\Virtuali\GSX\MSFSif you use airport profiles. If you have made aircraft customisations, also back up%APPDATA%\Virtuali\Airplaneswhen that folder is present. - Open the FSDT Universal Installer. Start it normally and approve the Windows permission request if one appears. Select the correct simulator target; MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 may use different Community locations.
- Uninstall GSX Pro inside the installer. Remove the GSX Pro product, not the entire Community folder. Do not delete the shared Addon Manager installation if other FSDT products depend on it.
- Install GSX Pro again. Allow the installer to download the packages and complete without closing it. Keep sufficient free space available on both the installation drive and the drive containing the MSFS packages.
- Let the installer rebuild its links. GSX Pro uses installer-managed links or junctions in the Community folder. Do not replace these by manually copying the package folders.
- Check activation only if requested. Replacing the files does not normally require deliberate licence deactivation. Use the installer's activation facility if it reports that GSX Pro is unlicensed.
- Test before restoring profiles. Start MSFS, load at a normal parking stand and open GSX from the simulator toolbar. Confirm that Couatl starts and the GSX menu responds before copying any backed-up configuration back.
Our supported GSX Pro installation, activation and update procedure covers simulator selection and package-link checks in more detail.
Do I need to delete GSX from the Community folder?
No; the FSDT Universal Installer should remove and recreate the GSX package links. Manually deleting only one end of a link can leave the installer believing that the package is installed when MSFS cannot load it.
Never empty the entire Community folder to reinstall one add-on. If GSX works with other add-ons temporarily disabled, restore them in small groups to identify a conflict rather than rebuilding everything.
If the installer stops with a cancellation message, follow the specific fixes for the GSX Pro “You canceled the download” error instead of repeatedly deleting managed folders.
Why is GSX Pro still not working after reinstalling?
A reinstall will not fix the problem if MSFS is reading the wrong Community folder, Couatl is being blocked or a saved profile contains the faulty configuration.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| No GSX toolbar icon | Wrong simulator target or broken Community link | Verify the MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 selection in the installer and rebuild the links. |
| Menu appears but services do not start | Couatl did not launch or was blocked | Close any orphaned Couatl process, rerun the installer check and review security software quarantine records. |
| Incorrect parking or vehicle positions remain | A custom airport profile survived the reinstall | Temporarily rename the relevant profile or the backed-up GSX profile folder and test with defaults. |
| Download repeatedly stops | Blocked connection, insufficient space or installer interruption | Check storage, permissions and security filtering; do not manually dismantle the managed installation. |
| GSX fails only in MSFS 2024 | Wrong links, incompatible configuration or simulator-specific setup | Use the dedicated MSFS 2024 GSX Pro troubleshooting checks. |
How do I reset GSX settings without reinstalling again?
Rename the relevant profile folder rather than deleting it, then launch GSX with default data. If the fault disappears, restore individual profiles one at a time; copying the whole backup back immediately can reintroduce the same problem.