How do I reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?

To reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, back up or rename your Community folder, uninstall the simulator through Steam, the Xbox app or Windows, then reinstall it using the same account and storefront. Keep the Packages folder to avoid downloading core content again, or remove it for a genuinely clean reinstall.

Should I repair MSFS 2020 before reinstalling it?

Try repairing MSFS 2020 first if the launcher will not start, an update failed or the installation has only recently developed a problem. The storefront repair and file-verification procedures are quicker and may avoid a large download.

MSFS 2020 separates its relatively small application from the much larger Packages folder. This distinction determines what type of reinstall you need.

How do I reinstall MSFS 2020 on the same PC?

A standard reinstall replaces the application while allowing you to reuse downloaded aircraft, scenery and world data.

1. Confirm the owning account and purchase channel. Reinstall through the same Steam or Microsoft account used to obtain the simulator. Steam ownership and Microsoft Store ownership are not interchangeable.
2. Find the Packages folder. Record the folder containing Community and Official. If you cannot locate it, use our folder-location guide for the different MSFS installations. The InstalledPackagesPath entry in UserCfg.opt can also identify the active location.
3. Back up local content. Copy or rename the Community folder and save any flight plans, utility profiles or other files you created locally. If the Packages folder sits inside an app-managed directory, move or copy it somewhere the uninstaller cannot remove.
4. Uninstall the base application. Steam users should uninstall it from their Steam library. Microsoft Store and Xbox app users can uninstall it from the Xbox app or Windows installed-app settings.
5. Choose whether to retain the packages. Keep them for a faster reinstall. For a complete reset, remove the Official and Community content, caches and residual settings by following our clean removal checklist.
6. Install MSFS 2020 again. Use the original storefront and sign in with the account that owns the licence and any Marketplace content.
7. Select the correct content path. On the first launch, point the installer at the preserved Packages root. Select the folder containing Community and Official, not the Official subfolder itself.
8. Complete the content check. Allow the installer to verify the retained files and download anything missing or outdated. Optional aircraft, edition upgrades and World Updates may need reinstalling through Content Manager.
9. Test before restoring add-ons. Start a default aircraft at a default airport with an empty Community folder. Restore add-ons in small groups only after the simulator runs correctly.

Can I reinstall MSFS 2020 without downloading everything again?

Yes, provided the existing Official packages are preserved and the installer is pointed at their correct parent folder. MSFS 2020 should scan reusable content, although changed, incomplete or damaged packages will still be downloaded again.

A full download prompt usually means the wrong folder was selected. Stop before creating a second installation and check that the chosen directory directly contains both Official and Community. Depending on the storefront, Official may then contain a OneStore or Steam subfolder.

Uninstalling does not erase your simulator licence or Marketplace ownership. Those remain associated with the owning account, but locally installed Community add-ons are not protected by that ownership or by the simulator's content manager.

Why did reinstalling MSFS 2020 not fix the problem?

Reinstallation will not fix a fault caused by retained add-ons, synchronised settings, external utilities or an incorrectly reused package folder.

• The same crash returns: test with Community empty and disconnect add-on managers or utilities that inject content into the simulator.
• The installer requests the entire download: the preserved Packages folder was not selected correctly, or its Official content is incomplete.
• Aircraft or Marketplace purchases are missing: check the owning Microsoft account and install the optional content again through Content Manager.
• Control or assistance settings return: account synchronisation can restore them after reinstalling. Reset the affected profile inside the simulator rather than repeatedly reinstalling the application.
• Problems begin after restoring Community: one or more add-ons are incompatible, duplicated or installed one folder too deep. Check how to put Community add-ons back in the correct folder, then add them in batches to identify the culprit.