How do I take screenshots and photos in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?
In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, we usually take screenshots by positioning the camera we want, hiding the HUD and toolbar, then using the capture tool built into PC or Xbox. The sim handles framing and lighting; the actual image file is normally saved by Windows, Steam or Xbox rather than by MSFS itself.
Is there a photo mode in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020?
Not in the same sense as a dedicated photo game mode with its own gallery, shutter button and export system. In MSFS 2020, “taking photos” really means using the sim’s camera system to compose the shot, then using your platform’s screenshot function to capture it.
That matters because two separate things are involved:
- Camera control in MSFS for viewpoint, zoom, angle, weather, time of day and aircraft position.
- Screenshot capture on your device for the actual saved image file.
How to take screenshots in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on PC
- Choose the right camera view
Start by switching to the view that suits the shot. For instrument-panel or wing views, use the cockpit camera. For air-to-air style images, use the external, showcase or drone camera. Drone view is usually the most flexible because we can move it freely around the aircraft and scenery.
- Position the aircraft and camera
Set up the scene before you capture anything. Taxi into good light, line up with a runway, orbit a landmark, or pause in cruise. Then adjust zoom, pitch and camera distance until the frame looks intentional rather than accidental.
- Hide on-screen clutter
Clean screenshots look far better without menus, labels, pop-ups and the mouse cursor. Hide the toolbar, any ATC or checklist panels you have open, and any assistance overlays such as nameplates or markers. If necessary, check your control bindings for camera and HUD toggle commands, because these can vary by setup.
- Use your PC capture method
Once the image is framed, capture it with the tool tied to your version of the sim or Windows itself. On Steam, that is usually Steam’s screenshot key unless you changed it. On the Microsoft Store or Xbox app version, many simmers use Windows screenshot shortcuts or the Xbox Game Bar capture button.
- Check the saved image
Open the screenshot in the folder or gallery used by your capture tool and make sure it is as sharp and clean as it looked in the sim. If it is not, adjust the camera, lighting or graphics settings and try again.
How to take screenshots in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 on Xbox
- Frame the shot in-game
Use external, showcase or drone views for the cleanest composition. Cockpit shots work well too, especially at sunrise, sunset or in poor weather.
- Hide the interface
Close any panels and remove overlays before you capture. The cleaner the screen, the less editing you need later.
- Use the Xbox capture function
Take the screenshot with the console’s normal capture control. The image is then stored in your Xbox captures rather than in a separate MSFS photo folder.
Which camera is best for MSFS 2020 screenshots?
| Camera view | Best for | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Cockpit | Pilot-eye views, panel shots, wing views, weather ambience | HUD elements, yoke position and reflections can clutter the image |
| External | Quick aircraft shots without much setup | Less precise than drone for carefully composed images |
| Showcase | Smooth cinematic angles around the aircraft | Control feel can vary depending on your bindings |
| Drone | Airport overviews, close-ups, formation-style shots, scenery photography | Easiest to lose orientation if movement speed is too high |
If we had to pick one, drone camera is usually the best choice for deliberate “photo” work because it gives the most freedom over height, distance and angle.
How do I make Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 screenshots look better?
Good sim screenshots are mostly about composition and timing. Raw resolution helps, but the biggest gains usually come from camera placement, lighting and a clean screen.
- Shoot in low sun for dramatic shadows and better aircraft shape.
- Use weather deliberately; broken cloud, haze and rain can add depth, while clear midday light can look flat.
- Wait for scenery to finish loading, especially around dense cities and photogrammetry areas.
- Use drone camera slowly rather than making large, jerky movements.
- Fill the frame with a subject; an aircraft against an empty sky often looks less interesting than one framed against terrain, cloud or a runway environment.
- Check anti-aliasing and render scale if your captures look soft. Upscaling and lower internal resolution can make screenshots look blurrier than you expect.
How do I hide the HUD, toolbar and labels for cleaner photos?
This is the step many people miss. A great frame is ruined quickly by toolbar icons, airport markers, traffic labels or the instrument HUD.
Before you capture, look for anything that is not part of the aircraft or scenery:
- Toolbar panels such as ATC, checklist, VFR map or camera menu
- HUD overlays and instrument assistance elements
- Nameplates and traffic labels
- Airport, POI or navigation markers
- Mouse cursor
If you cannot find the toggle quickly, open your controls settings and search for camera, HUD, toolbar or drone commands. Many players customise these, so there is no single guaranteed key layout for every installation.
Where are Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 screenshots saved?
MSFS 2020 usually does not decide the save location. The folder depends on the capture method you used.
- Steam screenshot capture: saved in Steam’s screenshot library or manager.
- Windows screenshot tools: saved to your normal Windows screenshots area or copied to the clipboard, depending on the shortcut used.
- Xbox Game Bar on PC: saved in your Windows captures location.
- Xbox console capture: saved in the console’s captures library.
If you cannot find the file, check the capture tool first, not the MSFS install folders.
Why do my MSFS 2020 screenshots look blurry, dark or strange?
Blurry or soft
This is often caused by lower render scale, aggressive upscaling, distant scenery still streaming in, or simple motion at the moment of capture. Try pausing the scene, waiting for the area to sharpen, and taking the shot again at a higher internal resolution if your system allows it.
Too dark
Night and storm shots can look excellent in the sim but muddy once captured. Change the time of day slightly, adjust cloud cover, or choose an angle where the aircraft catches more light. Even a small shift in sun position can transform the image.
Odd propeller or rotor appearance
Paused shots can freeze propellers in an unnatural way. If you want a more natural sense of motion, capture while the aircraft is still running rather than fully frozen. Be aware that active pause can also produce odd-looking aircraft states in some situations.
Best quick method if you just want a good screenshot fast
If we want a simple, repeatable method that works for most people, this is it:
- Switch to drone or showcase camera.
- Move the camera into good light, ideally early morning or late afternoon.
- Hide the toolbar and all overlays.
- Pause only if needed, and avoid it if you want natural prop blur.
- Capture with Steam, Windows, Game Bar or Xbox.
That is the core workflow most MSFS 2020 screenshotters use. The sim gives us the composition tools; the operating system or platform gives us the actual photo file.