Transferring Microsoft Flight Simulator to a New Computer: Steps and Recommendations

Paul Collair Guest

I need to recover my Flight SIm after moving to a new computer, how do I do that?

THank you

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Ian Stephens (ianstephens) Captain
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Absolutely, moving Microsoft Flight Simulator from one computer to another can be quite a routine task if approached correctly. First and foremost, do you have your purchase details and authentication credentials at hand? They're critical to ensuring a smooth transition.

Here's a straightforward step-by-step guide:

  1. Backup Your Add-ons and Settings: Navigate to your MSFS installation directory. Typically, it's under C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\. Copy any additional content or settings you've customized.
  2. Deactivate from Old PC (If Needed): Some versions of flight simulators require deactivation from the previous PC. However, for the Steam Edition, your license is tied to your Steam account. Ensure you're logged out of Steam on the old computer.
  3. Install Steam on the New Computer: Download and install the Steam client from the official Steam website.
  4. Log in to Steam: Use your credentials to log in.
  5. Download MSFS: Navigate to your library, find Microsoft Flight Simulator, and click 'Install'. Steam will handle the heavy lifting.
  6. Restore Add-ons and Settings: Once installation is complete, move the backup content from Step 1 to the respective folders on your new PC.

A couple of things to keep in mind:

  • Your add-ons and settings backup is crucial, especially if you've invested time in tweaking or purchasing third-party content.
  • Always ensure that your software and add-ons are updated to their latest versions. Compatibility is key in the flight sim world.

Remember, the beauty of the Steam Edition is its portability across devices, thanks to the cloud-centric nature of Steam's platform. As long as you can access your Steam account, you can access your purchased games and software.

Hope this helps, and if you have more questions or require further clarification on a specific step, please don't hesitate to ask!

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