How do I uninstall or remove an aircraft add-on in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
To uninstall an aircraft add-on in Microsoft Flight Simulator, first work out how it was installed. If it was a manual Community folder add-on, delete its package folder. If it came from an external installer, remove it there. If it was installed through the sim’s own content system, uninstall it from the in-sim library or content manager.
How do you remove an aircraft add-on in Microsoft Flight Simulator?
The safe way is to match the removal method to the installation method. A lot of problems come from deleting the wrong folder, or from removing only part of an aircraft package and leaving shared files behind.
| How the aircraft was installed | How to remove it | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Manual copy into the Community folder | Delete that aircraft’s package folder from Community | Deleting the wrong package or a shared dependency |
| External installer or add-on manager | Use the same installer or manager to uninstall or disable it | Manual deletion can leave entries, links or support files behind |
| Installed through the sim’s built-in content system | Remove it from the in-sim content library/manager | Looking for it in Community when it is not stored there |
Before you delete anything
- Close Microsoft Flight Simulator completely. Do not remove packages while the sim is running.
- Back up the folder first if you are unsure. Renaming it or moving it to another location is safer than deleting it immediately.
- Check whether it is a full aircraft, a livery, or a dependency. Some add-ons rely on a base package, and some aircraft share common files.
- Make a note of the exact package name. The folder name is often not the same as the aircraft name shown in the aircraft menu.
If the aircraft was installed in the Community folder
This is the most common case for freeware and manually installed add-ons. The aircraft usually sits in its own package folder inside the Community folder.
- Close the sim. Make sure Microsoft Flight Simulator is not running in the background.
- Open your Community folder. The location varies depending on whether you use the Microsoft Store, Xbox app or Steam version, and it may differ between MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024.
- Find the aircraft package folder. Look for a folder that matches the developer or aircraft name. If needed, open the folder and check whether it contains aircraft-related package files and subfolders.
- Move it out first. Cut the folder to your desktop or another temporary location rather than deleting it straight away.
- Start the sim and check. If the aircraft has disappeared and everything works normally, you can delete the backed-up folder later.
Moving the folder out first is the cleanest test. If the aircraft still appears in the menu after that, it was probably not being loaded from Community at all.
What if I cannot tell which folder belongs to the aircraft?
That happens a lot, especially with liveries and packages that use shortened developer names. Check the folder contents for clues such as aircraft configuration files, texture folders, or a package manifest that names the aircraft more clearly.
If you have several similar folders from the same developer, do not delete them all blindly. Some packages contain the base aircraft, and others only contain extra liveries, sounds, instruments or support files.
If the aircraft was installed with an external installer or add-on manager
Some aircraft are not meant to be removed by hand, even if they ultimately place files in Community. If you installed it through a dedicated installer, launcher or add-on manager, use that same tool to remove it.
- Open the installer or manager you originally used.
- Find the aircraft in the installed items list.
- Choose uninstall, remove or disable. The wording varies.
- Let the tool finish completely. Some remove links, support files or configuration entries as well as the package itself.
- Restart the sim and confirm the aircraft is gone.
This matters because some tools create symbolic links rather than copying files directly into Community. If you delete what looks like the aircraft folder without understanding how it was deployed, you may leave behind a broken library entry or simply remove the shortcut instead of the actual files.
If the aircraft came from the built-in Marketplace or content library
Aircraft installed through Microsoft Flight Simulator’s own content system are usually managed inside the sim, not by deleting Community folders. The exact screen names differ a bit between versions, but the principle is the same.
- Start Microsoft Flight Simulator.
- Open your profile, library or content management area.
- Find the aircraft package. Search by product name, publisher or aircraft type.
- Select uninstall or remove.
- Wait for the process to complete and then restart the sim if needed.
If you do not see the package in Community and also cannot find it in the aircraft list after removing it in-sim, that is normal. Many officially managed packages are stored in the sim’s own content locations rather than as simple manual add-on folders.
Why is the aircraft still showing up after I removed it?
If the aircraft is still in the selection menu, one of a few things is usually going on:
- You removed the wrong folder. The package name may not match the aircraft’s display name.
- You removed only a livery, not the base aircraft.
- The aircraft exists in two places. For example, one copy in Community and another managed by an installer or the sim itself.
- The sim has not fully refreshed yet. Close and reopen it completely rather than returning only to the main menu.
- A linked folder is still active. Add-on managers can make packages appear present even when they are stored elsewhere.
If you are troubleshooting a broken aircraft, it is often worth removing all related packages temporarily, including liveries and enhancement packs, then adding back only the core aircraft.
Can I just delete the aircraft folder?
Yes, if it is a standard manual Community folder aircraft and you are sure that folder belongs only to that add-on. In practice, we still prefer to move it out first and test.
Do not simply delete folders if:
- the aircraft was installed by a dedicated installer,
- you suspect it uses shared files,
- you are not sure whether it is the base package or an expansion,
- or the package was installed through the sim’s own library tools.
What is the cleanest way to test whether an add-on is causing problems?
For manual add-ons, the cleanest method is temporary removal rather than permanent deletion. Move the suspected aircraft package out of Community, launch the sim, and see whether the issue disappears.
This is especially useful if you are trying to fix CTDs, missing cockpit screens, duplicate aircraft entries, broken liveries or long loading times. Once you know the aircraft is the cause, you can either reinstall it cleanly or remove it permanently.
MSFS 2020 vs MSFS 2024: is uninstalling different?
The core idea is the same in both: manual packages are removed from Community, managed packages are removed through the tool that installed them. What changes is the menu wording, exact storage location and how certain add-ons are structured.
If you use both sims, be careful not to remove a package from the wrong installation. Some developers provide separate builds for each simulator, and they may live in different folders with very similar names.
Best practice when removing aircraft add-ons
- Keep a backup archive of downloaded aircraft so you can reinstall quickly.
- Store add-on downloads separately from your live Community folder.
- Use one clear method per add-on where possible, rather than mixing manual copies and manager-based installs.
- Remove related liveries and patches if you are uninstalling the base aircraft.
- Test after each change instead of removing many packages at once.
If you also need aircraft packages to install cleanly in the first place, our Microsoft Flight Simulator downloads section at Fly Away Simulation is a good place to keep your add-ons organised.