Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is not a free 2020 upgrade. Learn what you must buy, what add-ons carry over and how to switch safely.
No. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a separate simulator, not an in-place or free upgrade for owners of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. You must buy 2024 or access it through an eligible Game Pass plan, install it separately, then re-enable or reinstall compatible add-ons under the account that owns them.
MSFS 2024 does not overwrite MSFS 2020, so both simulators can remain installed. Our practical comparison of MSFS 2020 and 2024 explains the differences in features, installation, performance and add-on handling.
Is Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 a free upgrade?
No—owning Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 does not grant a free MSFS 2024 licence or automatically convert your 2020 edition into the equivalent 2024 edition.
| Option | What it provides | What happens to MSFS 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Buy MSFS 2024 | A separate licence for the selected 2024 edition | Your 2020 licence and installation remain available |
| Use eligible Game Pass access | Access while the qualifying plan and catalogue entitlement continue | Your owned 2020 copy is unaffected |
| Stay with MSFS 2020 | No extra purchase or migration work | You continue using the existing simulator and add-ons |
There is no universal owner discount or upgrade installer. See our explanation of MSFS purchasing and Game Pass access before treating a subscription as a permanent replacement for an owned copy.
What carries over from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024?
Many add-on entitlements can carry over, but simulator settings, compatibility and ownership are separate issues.
| 2020 item | What to expect in MSFS 2024 |
|---|---|
| MSFS 2020 licence | Does not become an MSFS 2024 licence |
| Eligible Marketplace purchases | Generally remain owned when the supported account and platform entitlement is recognised, provided the product is available and compatible |
| Aircraft and airports included with a higher 2020 edition | Supported owned content may appear in the 2024 library, but it does not grant the corresponding 2024 edition |
| Add-ons bought outside the in-sim Marketplace | May require a 2024-compatible version or a new installer supplied by the developer |
| Community folder packages | Do not migrate automatically; install confirmed-compatible packages into the 2024 Community folder |
| Controls, assistance and graphics settings | Do not rely on automatic migration; check and configure them again |
| Activities and career progress | MSFS 2024 maintains its own progression and activity data |
A mistake we see constantly is copying the entire 2020 Community folder into 2024. One outdated aircraft, scenery package or utility can cause loading failures, missing controls or crashes. Check compatibility first and add packages individually. Our explanation of how Orbx add-on compatibility works in MSFS 2024 illustrates why ownership alone does not guarantee that a 2020 package will work unchanged.
How do I move from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024 safely?
The safest method is to treat MSFS 2024 as a clean installation and migrate add-ons only after the base simulator works correctly.
- Keep MSFS 2020 installed initially. This gives you a working reference for control assignments, settings and add-on configurations.
- Buy or access MSFS 2024 using the intended account and platform. MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation, so moving from a PC or Xbox copy to MSFS 2024 on PS5 is a platform change rather than an upgrade. Do not assume cross-store add-on entitlements will transfer.
- Install MSFS 2024 as a separate application. Allow enough space for its base files, rolling cache and any locally stored content. Its installation model differs because more world data can be streamed; we explain why MSFS 2024 can occupy less local storage.
- Run the unmodified simulator first. Complete the initial setup, load a default aircraft at a simple airport and confirm that controls, audio and online services work.
- Rebuild control profiles carefully. Check every axis for duplicate bindings, especially throttle, rudder, brakes and cockpit camera controls.
- Restore add-ons in small groups. Start with products explicitly marked as MSFS 2024 compatible. Test aircraft, scenery and utilities separately so a faulty package is easy to identify.
Should I upgrade or keep MSFS 2020?
Choose MSFS 2024 for its newer simulation platform and features, but keep MSFS 2020 if your priority is a stable collection of 2020-specific add-ons that have not been updated.
- Move mainly to MSFS 2024 when your essential aircraft, airports and utilities are confirmed compatible and your system and internet connection suit its streaming model.
- Keep using MSFS 2020 when a critical aircraft or specialist utility has no reliable 2024 version.
- Run both simulators while checking compatibility. This is usually safer than removing a mature 2020 installation immediately.
Can I uninstall MSFS 2020 afterwards?
Yes, but uninstall it only after MSFS 2024, your controls and your essential add-ons have been tested. Back up any 2020 Community folder packages, configuration references and third-party installer records you may need.
Removing the 2020 application does not turn its licence into a 2024 licence. It also does not fix an incompatible add-on; that package still needs a supported MSFS 2024 version.