MSFS stands for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Learn when it means MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024 or the wider series, and how it differs from FSX.
MSFS stands for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Simmers use it for Microsoft’s flight-simulation series generally, and often as shorthand for the 2020 release. To avoid ambiguity, write MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 when discussing a specific version; MSFS alone does not reliably identify which modern simulator you mean.
Is MSFS the same as Flight Simulator 2020?
MSFS often means Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, but the abbreviation is not exclusive to that release. Its official title is simply Microsoft Flight Simulator, so the community added “2020” or “FS2020” to distinguish it from earlier and later editions.
Since Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a separate release, context now matters. Our comparison of MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 explains where their features and content differ.
Common Microsoft Flight Simulator abbreviations
| Term | Usual meaning |
|---|---|
| MSFS | Microsoft Flight Simulator as a series, or an unspecified modern release |
| MSFS 2020 | The Microsoft Flight Simulator release from 2020 |
| FS2020 | Another common name for MSFS 2020 |
| MSFS 2024 | Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 |
| FSX | Microsoft Flight Simulator X, a separate older simulator |
FSX should not be used as another name for modern MSFS. For the practical distinction, see our comparison of FSX with MSFS 2020 and 2024.
What does MSFS mean on an add-on download?
On an add-on page, “MSFS” identifies the Microsoft Flight Simulator platform but may not confirm compatibility with both 2020 and 2024. Check the stated simulator version, installation instructions and included documentation before downloading or moving files.
A mistake we see constantly is assuming an FSX aircraft will work in MSFS because both simulators come from Microsoft. Their add-on formats and systems differ; our explanation of FSX add-on compatibility with modern MSFS covers the limitations.
Is MSFS an acronym?
MSFS is most precisely an initialism when spoken as the four letters “M-S-F-S”, though people commonly call it an acronym. In writing, expand it to “Microsoft Flight Simulator” on first use, then specify MSFS 2020 or MSFS 2024 whenever the version affects the answer.