Learn how to transfer flight simulator add-ons between PCs using ZIPs or installers, avoiding folder, licence and compatibility errors.
Yes. For most PC flight simulators, you can download an add-on on one computer, copy the original ZIP file or installer to a USB drive, external disk or network share, then transfer it to your gaming PC. Extract and install it only on the gaming PC, following the add-on’s instructions.
This is a general PC flight simulator workflow; no special transfer utility is required. Moving the untouched download is safer than copying files from an existing installation, which may depend on licence activation, configuration entries or additional components stored elsewhere.
How do I transfer a downloaded flight simulator add-on?
- Check compatibility first. Confirm the add-on is intended for the exact simulator and generation installed on the gaming PC. An FSX aircraft will not work in Microsoft Flight Simulator merely because both run on Windows, and MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 packages are not automatically interchangeable.
- Keep the complete original download. Transfer the ZIP, RAR, 7z archive or installer without renaming its internal files. For a multi-part archive, copy every numbered part into the same folder.
- Choose a transfer method. A USB drive, external SSD, local network share or fully downloaded cloud folder will work. A file larger than 4 GB cannot be stored on a FAT32-formatted drive; use exFAT or NTFS when large packages fail to copy.
- Copy it to the gaming PC’s local disk. Do not run an installer directly from removable storage or an online-only cloud placeholder. A local working folder avoids disconnections and incomplete file access.
- Scan and extract the package. Check the file with your security software, then unpack it into a temporary folder. Our ZIP extraction checklist for simulator add-ons explains how to avoid incomplete extraction and doubled folders.
- Install it for the correct simulator. Use the included readme or installer rather than guessing the destination. Test one transferred add-on before installing a whole collection.
Which files should I copy to the gaming PC?
| Download type | What to transfer | What to do on the gaming PC |
|---|---|---|
| ZIP, RAR or 7z archive | The original complete archive | Extract it locally, inspect the folder structure, then install it |
| EXE or MSI installer | The installer and any accompanying data files | Copy locally and run it there; activation or internet access may still be required |
| Multi-part archive | Every archive part | Place all parts together and begin extraction from the first part |
| Already-extracted add-on folder | The complete folder only if the instructions describe a manual installation | Place it in the simulator’s specified add-on directory |
| Marketplace or account-managed content | Usually nothing manually | Sign in on the gaming PC and install it through the supported in-simulator or account library |
Where do transferred add-ons go?
The destination depends on the simulator and package type; transferring the file does not change its installation procedure.
For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, manually installed packages normally go into the active Community folder. Its location varies with the installation method and chosen content path, so use our instructions for finding the correct MSFS 2020 Community folder. In a typical package, the folder placed there contains manifest.json and layout.json; if those files are another folder deeper, the package is probably nested incorrectly.
MSFS 2024 also uses an active Community location for compatible manual packages, but do not assume that an older package works unchanged. The practical folder checks are covered in our guide to installing transferred scenery in MSFS 2024.
FSX add-ons may contain separate aircraft, gauges, effects, sounds or scenery files. Copying only the aircraft folder can therefore leave blank instruments or missing visual effects; follow the component-by-component process in our manual FSX aircraft installation instructions.
For X-Plane, manually installed content commonly belongs under Aircraft, Custom Scenery or Resources/plugins, depending on its type. Prepar3D packages should use their supplied installer or documented add-on method rather than being dropped into an arbitrary simulator folder.
Can I copy an already installed add-on?
You can often copy a self-contained, manually installed add-on, but reinstalling from the original download is more reliable. Installer-managed products may also place files in shared folders, create configuration or scenery-library entries, install supporting software, and store settings outside the simulator directory.
If the original add-on used an installer, run that installer on the gaming PC. Copying its visible aircraft or scenery folder alone may produce an add-on that appears in the simulator but has missing gauges, textures, sounds or dependencies.
Will transferred payware and Marketplace add-ons work?
Transferring a payware installer does not transfer its activation automatically. The gaming PC may need the same purchaser account, a serial or licence file, an internet connection, and an available device activation under the publisher’s terms.
Account-managed and encrypted Marketplace packages should be installed through the supported library on the gaming PC rather than copied from another installation’s cache. Do not try to bypass activation or copy protected content between accounts.
This manual transfer method applies to PCs. Xbox and PlayStation consoles do not accept arbitrary PC add-on archives from a USB drive; console content must use the simulator’s supported distribution system.
Why does the transferred add-on not appear?
- The archive was copied but never extracted. Simulators generally cannot load an add-on directly from its download archive.
- The folder is nested one level too deep. This is especially common with MSFS Community packages after extracting a ZIP into a second same-named folder.
- The wrong simulator version was selected. Check the product description, included readme and required simulator generation.
- A dependency is missing. Some aircraft, scenery and libraries require a separate base package or supporting files.
- The transfer was incomplete. Compare the file size on both PCs and copy it again if extraction reports an unexpected end, damaged archive or missing volume.
- Only part of an installed product was copied. Reinstall from the original archive or installer so that gauges, effects, configuration entries and licence components are included.