How do I uninstall or reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024?
Uninstall or reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PC, Xbox or PS5, with steps to protect add-ons, settings and progress.
To uninstall or reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, back up or move your Community add-ons, remove the game through its original storefront or console storage menu, then reinstall it from the same account and platform. For a clean reinstall, also remove leftover package and cache files; a normal uninstall may leave them behind.
What should I back up before uninstalling MSFS 2024?
Back up anything stored locally before removing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The application, downloaded packages and add-ons may occupy separate locations, so uninstalling the main application does not tell you exactly what will be preserved.
- Community add-ons: Copy or move the entire
Communityfolder somewhere outside the MSFS installation tree. - Custom files: Preserve configuration files, controller notes, screenshots and third-party aircraft data that you cannot recreate easily.
- Third-party installers: Keep installer files, product keys and licence details for add-ons installed outside the in-sim Marketplace.
- Package location: Record the existing package path if you plan to reuse downloaded content rather than perform a completely clean installation.
Storefront, package and Community locations vary between Steam and Microsoft installations. Use our guide to identify the correct MSFS folders on your PC before deleting anything.
Should I repair, reinstall or completely remove MSFS 2024?
Use the least disruptive option that matches the fault: update or verify damaged application files first, reinstall the base application second, and reserve a clean removal for persistent package, cache or add-on problems.
| Option | Choose it when | What happens to local content |
|---|---|---|
| Update or verify | The simulator is outdated, an update failed or application files may be damaged | Packages, add-ons and settings are usually retained |
| Normal reinstall | The launcher or base application will not start correctly | Old package, cache and Community files may remain |
| Clean reinstall | Problems survive verification, or stale add-ons and package files are suspected | All local simulator data is removed unless backed up |
Before downloading the simulator again, follow the appropriate MSFS 2024 update and verification procedure. On Windows, Repair is less destructive than Reset; Reset may remove local application data.
How do I uninstall and reinstall MSFS 2024 on PC?
- Close the simulator and its launcher. Exit Steam or the Xbox app as appropriate, and make sure MSFS is no longer running.
- Protect the Community folder. Move it outside the simulator's package structure. Starting with an empty Community folder prevents an incompatible add-on from contaminating the new installation.
- Uninstall the base application. For Steam, open the Library, right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and use the uninstall option under Manage. For an Xbox app or Microsoft Store installation, uninstall it through the Xbox app's management controls or Windows Installed apps.
- Decide whether to retain the packages. Keeping existing package data can reduce the next download, but it can also preserve the fault you are trying to remove. Do not reuse it for a clean reinstall.
- Remove leftovers only if required. A standard uninstall may retain the Community folder, package data, rolling cache and configuration files. Follow our full procedure for removing every local MSFS file when a clean installation is necessary. Do not take ownership of or manually alter protected Windows application folders merely to recover space.
- Restart Windows and reinstall from the original storefront. Use the same Steam or Microsoft account that owns the simulator. Changing storefronts can require a separate licence and may prevent old package files from being reused.
- Complete the first launch. Sign in with the correct account, allow mandatory content to finish, and confirm the storage location if the installer asks for one.
- Test the clean simulator. Load a default aircraft at a default airport before restoring add-ons. Add Community packages back in small groups so that a faulty package is easy to identify.
If you deliberately retain an old package folder, select the exact location expected by the installer. Choosing the wrong parent folder can create a second package structure and trigger another large download.
How do I reinstall MSFS 2024 on Xbox Series X or S?
On Xbox Series X|S, uninstall the game through My games & apps, then reinstall it from your owned library or active subscription catalogue.
- Highlight Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and press the controller's menu button.
- Open Manage game and add-ons and select the uninstall option. Use Uninstall all only when you intend to remove the game and its locally installed add-ons.
- Reinstall it from your full library using the same Xbox account.
- Allow cloud data to synchronise, then reinstall any separately managed content that is missing.
Deleting the game is different from deleting saved data. Do not erase local and cloud saves unless you accept that account settings or progress may be reset.
How do I reinstall MSFS 2024 on PS5 or PS5 Pro?
On PlayStation 5, delete Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 from the home screen or the console's storage settings, then reinstall it from Game Library or its original installation source.
- Highlight the simulator, press the Options button and choose Delete, or remove it through the Games and Apps section of storage settings.
- Leave saved data untouched unless resetting it is part of deliberate troubleshooting.
- Open Game Library and reinstall the simulator under the same PlayStation account.
- On first launch, use the same linked simulator account and download any entitled add-on content again where necessary.
Does uninstalling MSFS 2024 delete add-ons and progress?
Uninstalling can delete locally installed add-ons, but it does not normally cancel licences or purchases attached to your account. Marketplace packages may need downloading again, while files placed manually in Community are safe only if you backed them up.
Account-backed progress and settings usually return after synchronisation, but not every third-party file is cloud-saved. Cloud synchronisation can also restore a troublesome profile setting after reinstalling, which is why reinstalling the application is not the same as resetting all simulator data.
Will reinstalling Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 fix crashes?
Reinstalling fixes missing or corrupt local files, but it will not correct every MSFS 2024 crash. Incompatible Community add-ons, graphics drivers, account authentication, online service faults and unstable hardware can produce the same symptom.
Test with an empty Community folder, a default aircraft and an ordinary airport before restoring anything. If a clean installation still fails, use our MSFS crash-troubleshooting checks rather than repeatedly downloading the simulator.