Transfer your Microsoft Flight Simulator licence from Xbox to PC when Xbox Play Anywhere applies, with setup steps and fixes if PC shows Buy.
Yes. Digital Microsoft Store/Xbox purchases of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 support Xbox Play Anywhere, so the same owning Microsoft account can install the PC Microsoft Store version. Nothing is moved or surrendered: one entitlement covers Xbox and PC, but it does not grant a Steam copy.
When does an Xbox licence work on PC?
Your Xbox licence works on PC when the entitlement belongs to your Microsoft account and covers the Windows version through Xbox Play Anywhere.
| How you access MSFS on Xbox | Does it provide PC access? |
|---|---|
| Digital purchase from Xbox or Microsoft | Yes. Install the Microsoft Store/Xbox app version using the purchasing account. |
| Game Pass | Only with a subscription tier that includes PC access and while the game remains available through that subscription. This is access, not ownership; see our breakdown of Game Pass access versus permanent ownership. |
| Home Xbox or family sharing | Not as an owned licence. A profile that can play through another person's Home Xbox does not automatically own the PC entitlement. |
| Boxed copy or retail code | Only if its code explicitly grants an Xbox Play Anywhere digital entitlement. A console disc alone cannot authorise a PC installation. |
| Steam | No. The Xbox entitlement cannot be converted into a Steam licence, although you can use the Microsoft Store PC version without buying the simulator again. |
How do I install my Xbox copy of MSFS on PC?
You install it from the Xbox app or Microsoft Store on Windows using the Microsoft account that made or redeemed the original purchase.
- Identify the owning account. Check which Microsoft account bought or redeemed Microsoft Flight Simulator on Xbox. Playing it on a console does not prove that your profile owns it, because Home Xbox sharing may be involved.
- Sign into Windows storefronts. Use the owning account in both Microsoft Store and the Xbox app. Mismatched Store and Xbox app accounts are a common reason the installation still shows a price.
- Open your library. Find the exact simulator you own: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are separate products.
- Install the offered PC version. Select Install rather than purchasing it again. Our account-and-storefront checklist for reinstalling MSFS on another PC covers the same ownership checks in more detail.
- Launch with the same Xbox profile. Allow cloud-backed profile data to synchronise, then download any entitled aircraft, airports and other packages that are not included in the initial installation.
The PC still needs enough storage and suitable hardware; cross-buy does not mean the Xbox installation is copied directly. Check our MSFS PC hardware requirements and upgrade guidance before starting the large download.
Why does Microsoft Flight Simulator still show Buy on PC?
A Buy button usually means the PC storefront cannot see an entitlement for the account and product you selected.
- Wrong Microsoft account: sign out of Microsoft Store and the Xbox app, restart them, and sign back in with the purchasing account.
- Wrong simulator: an MSFS 2020 purchase does not include Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
- Shared console access: if another account owns the game through Home Xbox, your account has no licence to carry over.
- Game Pass rather than ownership: PC access requires a Game Pass plan that includes PC games. A console-only entitlement is insufficient.
- Wrong storefront: the Xbox licence unlocks the Microsoft Store PC release, not Steam.
- Edition confusion: Deluxe or Premium Deluxe content may appear as separate entitled packages after the base simulator is installed. Do not repurchase the whole edition solely because the library initially displays the base application.
Check the account's purchase history before paying again. If the completed order appears under one account but the same account still sees Buy, the problem is entitlement recognition rather than a missing purchase.
Will my edition, add-ons and progress transfer?
Your edition and compatible account-bound content normally remain available in the Microsoft Store PC installation, but local files must be downloaded again.
- Simulator edition: Standard, Deluxe or Premium Deluxe entitlement follows the same MSFS title. It does not upgrade MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024.
- Marketplace purchases: items tied to the same Xbox account are generally available on PC when that item is licensed for the same simulator and platform. Platform-restricted products may be exceptions.
- External and Community add-ons: these are not transferred from Xbox. PC supports Community-folder packages and PC installers, while Xbox add-ons are restricted; our explanation of Xbox's mod limitations clarifies the difference.
- Cloud data: profile data and supported progress can synchronise through the same Xbox account. Locally installed packages, rolling cache data and some settings or controller bindings may need to be downloaded or configured again.
Can I keep playing the Xbox version afterwards?
Yes. Installing Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC does not remove the Xbox entitlement or installation. Both platforms remain authorised, although the same Xbox account should not be expected to run simultaneous simulator sessions on two devices.