Uninstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 from Steam or Microsoft Store, remove leftover Packages files, and protect Community add-ons.
To uninstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, use Steam’s Library uninstall command for the Steam edition, or Windows Settings or the Xbox app for the Microsoft Store edition. This removes the simulator application, but its large Official and Community package folders may remain, especially if you chose a custom content location.
Before removing MSFS 2020
Back up anything you want to keep and record the simulator’s package location before uninstalling it.
- Close the simulator and related utilities: exit Steam or the Xbox app after checking that MSFS is no longer running. Close add-on linkers, traffic tools and other programs using its files.
- Back up the Community folder: copy any manually installed aircraft, scenery and liveries you want to retain. Our Community-folder and manually installed add-on guidance explains what belongs there.
- Record the Packages location: this is where the large Official and Community directories are stored. If you are unsure which copy is active, locate the Packages folder actually used by MSFS 2020 before deleting anything.
How do I uninstall the Steam edition?
The Steam edition should be removed through the Steam client rather than by manually deleting its installation directory.
- Open your Steam Library and find Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Open the game’s management menu by right-clicking its Library entry.
- Select Manage, then Uninstall and confirm the removal.
- Wait for Steam to finish before checking the separate Packages location for leftover Official or Community files.
Steam can report the simulator as uninstalled while many gigabytes remain elsewhere. The small Steam-managed application and the content downloaded by MSFS’s own installer are not necessarily stored together.
How do I uninstall the Microsoft Store edition?
The Microsoft Store edition can be removed through Windows Settings or the Xbox app used to manage the installation.
- Open Windows Settings and go to the installed-apps list. Windows 10 may label this area Apps & features, while Windows 11 uses Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Flight Simulator, open its menu and choose Uninstall.
- Alternatively, use the Xbox app, open the simulator’s menu and select its uninstall command.
- Check the recorded Packages location after Windows finishes, particularly if you selected another drive during the original content download.
Do not take ownership of the protected WindowsApps directory or remove Gaming Services merely to uninstall MSFS. Windows should remove the registered application; the downloaded simulator packages are the files that may need separate attention.
What does the normal uninstall leave behind?
A normal uninstall may leave downloaded content, add-ons, caches and configuration files outside the storefront-managed application directory.
| Item | What usually happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Simulator application | Removed by Steam, Windows or the Xbox app | Use the proper storefront uninstall command |
Official packages | May remain in the Packages location | Delete them for a clean removal or keep them to reduce a later download |
Community add-ons | May remain, particularly in a custom location | Back up wanted add-ons before deleting the folder |
| Settings and caches | Some local files may remain; synchronised settings can return after reinstalling | Remove them only if you want a clean configuration reset |
| External add-on folders | Usually unaffected | Remove them through their own installer or add-on manager |
How do I remove the leftover Packages files?
To reclaim all the space, delete the active Official and Community directories after the platform uninstall has completed.
The default package locations are commonly:
- Steam:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages - Microsoft Store:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages
These defaults are not reliable if you selected another drive. Before uninstalling, open UserCfg.opt and inspect the InstalledPackagesPath entry near the end. Steam normally stores that file under %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator; the Store edition normally keeps it in the package’s LocalCache directory.
- Open the recorded Packages location and confirm that it contains the simulator’s
OfficialandCommunitydirectories. - Delete only the simulator content. If the configured path points to a broad drive or shared directory, do not delete the entire parent folder.
- Check for separate caches and configuration files if you want a genuinely clean reset. Our full residual-file removal checklist covers the remaining package, cache and configuration locations.
- Empty the Recycle Bin if Windows placed the deleted files there; otherwise the disk space will not be released.
If Windows reports that a file is in use, restart the PC and try again before opening Steam, the Xbox app or an add-on utility. An access-denied message inside WindowsApps usually means you are targeting the protected application directory rather than the user-managed Packages folder.
Should I keep the Packages folder for a reinstall?
Keep the Packages folder when the downloaded content is known to be healthy; delete it when freeing disk space or troubleshooting suspected package corruption.
- Keep it for a routine launcher reinstall or when avoiding a complete content download. Point the in-simulator installer at the same Packages location and let it verify what is present.
- Delete it for a clean reinstall intended to fix damaged Official packages, persistent loading failures or unwanted add-ons.
Do not merge Steam’s Official\Steam content with the Microsoft Store edition’s Official\OneStore content. The installer may verify or download files again when changing storefront editions.
Will uninstalling remove Marketplace purchases?
Uninstalling removes local files, not ownership of Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace purchases.
Reinstall the same storefront edition and sign in with the same Microsoft account to regain access to entitled content, although the packages may need downloading again. Manually installed Community add-ons and externally managed products are different: retain your backups, installers and any required activation details.