Find safe free Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, learn what PC and console users can install, and avoid malicious or incompatible downloads.
You can download free Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons more safely from an established library such as our MSFS freeware section. On PC, verify the simulator version, file contents and installation notes before using it. Xbox and PlayStation users cannot install ordinary third-party downloads; they must use the simulator’s built-in content channels.
Which free MSFS downloads should I choose?
Choose a download with a named author, a clear simulator version, installation instructions and any required dependencies. Aircraft, scenery, liveries and utilities may all be free, but a livery can require a separate aircraft and scenery may rely on additional object libraries.
Avoid anonymous re-uploads, password-protected archives with no explanation, pirated payware and anything asking you to disable security protection. If you want a manageable shortlist rather than browsing every category, start with our hand-picked selection of free MSFS mods.
How do I check whether an MSFS add-on is safe?
No download source can remove every risk, so inspect each file before installation. Our practical freeware safety checklist covers archives, installers, security scans and common warning signs in more detail.
- Read the complete listing: confirm who created it, what it changes and whether it targets Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 or both.
- Scan before installing: check the downloaded archive and extracted files with maintained security software.
- Inspect the archive: a conventional MSFS package commonly contains
manifest.jsonandlayout.json. Utilities and installer-managed products can use different structures, so compare the contents with the supplied instructions. - Treat executable installers cautiously: an installer is not automatically unsafe, but it requires more trust than an ordinary package copied into the Community folder.
- Reject suspicious demands: freeware should not require a crack, key generator, unrelated browser extension, account password or disabled antivirus protection.
Will downloaded add-ons work on PC, Xbox and PlayStation?
Ordinary third-party freeware downloads work only with the PC versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator; consoles use content distributed inside the simulator.
| Platform | External freeware downloads | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 on PC | Yes | Packages marked for MSFS 2020, normally installed in the active Community folder |
| MSFS 2024 on PC | Yes | Prefer packages explicitly marked for MSFS 2024; do not assume every 2020 add-on is compatible |
| Xbox Series X|S | No | The in-simulator Marketplace or official content catalogue |
| PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro | No | Built-in content channels in MSFS 2024; MSFS 2020 was not released on PlayStation |
How do I install a downloaded MSFS add-on?
Most conventional PC packages are extracted into the active Community folder, but external utilities and installer-managed products may work differently. For aircraft-specific details, use our MSFS aircraft installation walkthrough.
- Confirm compatibility: check the simulator generation, required base aircraft and listed dependencies.
- Extract the archive: do not leave the add-on inside its ZIP, RAR or 7Z file.
- Check the folder depth: the package folder containing files such as
manifest.jsonshould sit directly inside Community, not inside an extra wrapper folder. - Use the active Community folder: its location varies with the PC edition, installation method and any custom packages path. MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 can use different locations.
- Restart the simulator: packages added while MSFS is running may not be detected until the next launch.
Why does a downloaded add-on not appear in MSFS?
The usual causes are an unextracted archive, an extra folder level, the wrong Community folder or an incompatible package. Missing dependencies and liveries installed without their required aircraft are also common.
If the installation looks correct, temporarily move other third-party packages out of Community and test the new add-on by itself. This identifies conflicts without deleting anything. Restore packages in small groups until the conflicting add-on becomes clear.