Set up the MSFS 2024 Community folder correctly: find the active location, install extracted add-ons, and fix packages that fail to appear.
To set up the Community folder in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, run the simulator once, identify the active Packages location, then place each extracted add-on package directly inside Community. Do not use the application install directory, leave ZIP files there, or add an extra wrapper folder above the package files.
How do I configure the MSFS 2024 Community folder?
On PC, the simulator normally creates this folder during its first successful start-up; setup is mainly a matter of finding the active folder and using the correct package structure.
- Complete the first launch. Let Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 finish its initial setup and reach the main menu. This establishes the Packages location used by that installation.
- Open the active Community folder. Enable Developer Mode in the simulator settings, open the developer toolbar's Virtual File System or VFS window, and use its package-folders view to open
Community. Menu wording can vary between simulator updates. - Verify the location if necessary. The Community folder belongs inside the active Packages location, not beside the simulator executable or in a Windows application directory. If VFS does not show it, our guide to finding a missing or inactive Community folder explains how
UserCfg.optidentifies the Packages path. - Create it only in the confirmed Packages location. If the active path exists but lacks the folder, close the simulator and create a directory named exactly
Community. - Extract the download somewhere temporary. Open ZIP, RAR or 7z archives before installation. Copy the actual package folder into
Community; compressed archives themselves will not load. - Restart the simulator. MSFS 2024 scans packages during start-up. If an installer asks for a destination, point it to this same active Community folder rather than an old MSFS 2020 directory.
For add-on installers, package management and compatibility considerations, see our complete MSFS 2024 mod installation process.
What should the Community folder structure look like?
A valid package sits one level below Community and normally has manifest.json and layout.json at the package root.
| State | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Correct | Community\publisher-aircraft\manifest.json | The simulator can detect the package. |
| Extra wrapper folder | Community\download-name\publisher-aircraft\manifest.json | The package may not appear. |
| Archive not extracted | Community\publisher-aircraft.zip | The simulator will not load it. |
A mistake we see constantly is copying the download's outer folder rather than the package inside it. Open the extracted folders until you find manifest.json and layout.json, then place the folder containing those files directly under Community.
Some downloads contain several separate packages. When each sibling folder has its own manifest and layout files, copy all those package folders rather than enclosing them in another directory.
Why is my Community add-on not appearing?
An add-on usually fails to appear because it is in the wrong Community folder, remains compressed, is nested too deeply or is incompatible with MSFS 2024.
- Wrong Packages location: custom installations and previous MSFS 2020 installs can leave several Community folders on the same PC. Confirm the active one through VFS or
UserCfg.opt. - Incorrect nesting: remove the outer wrapper so the folder containing
manifest.jsonis directly insideCommunity. - Simulator not restarted: close and reopen MSFS 2024 after adding or removing packages.
- Safe Mode active: third-party packages are intentionally suppressed when the simulator starts in Safe Mode.
- MSFS 2020 compatibility problem: some older packages work in MSFS 2024, but compatibility is not guaranteed. Keep the two simulators' Community folders separate.
- Package conflict or corruption: remove the latest additions, test the affected package alone, then restore other add-ons in small groups.
Can I move the Community folder to another drive?
You can store Community add-ons elsewhere, but simply dragging the folder to another drive breaks the active path. Use a properly configured directory junction or add-on linking tool; our instructions for moving the MSFS 2024 Community folder safely cover both approaches.
Is the Community folder available on consoles?
The manually accessible Community folder is a PC feature. Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro do not expose the simulator's package directories for manually downloaded add-ons, so console users must obtain supported content through the simulator's own content systems.