How can I fix an installation error in Flight Simulator X?

Hi,

That “Unable to load FSX” message can come from a few different places, and the fix depends on when you’re seeing it (during the FSX installer, first launch after install, or every time you start FSX). If you can pin that down, we can get you sorted pretty quickly.

First things to try (safe, common fixes)
1) Reboot and run the installer correctly

1. Reboot the PC (clears stuck installer services).
2. Right-click the FSX setup and choose Run as Administrator.
3. Temporarily disable antivirus “real-time protection” during install (some suites block FSX writing DLLs).
4. Install to the default path (avoid custom folders if possible for the first pass).

2) Make sure Windows isn’t blocking the installer

1. If you downloaded the installer, right-click the file, Properties, and see if there’s an Unblock button/tick box.
2. If you’re installing from DVD, inspect the disc for scratches and copy the contents to a folder on the drive first, then run setup from there.

3) If FSX is already installed but won’t start (“Unable to load…” on launch)
This is often a corrupted config or a bad add-on DLL/EXE launch entry.

Try this quick reset:

1. Go to your FSX config location and rename the main config so FSX rebuilds it on next start.
2. Then start FSX once and see if it gets to the main screen.

If you tell me your OS (Win 10/11) and which FSX (boxed, Steam Edition, Acceleration/Gold), I’ll give the exact file path(s) so you don’t have to hunt.

A couple targeted questions so I don’t send you down the wrong path

1. What is the exact wording of the error message (and does it show during installation or when launching FSX)?
2. Which version are you installing: FSX boxed/DVD, FSX Gold/Acceleration, or FSX: Steam Edition?
3. What Windows version are you on (10 or 11), and are you installing to the default location or a custom folder?
4. Do you have any add-ons already installed, or is this a clean install attempt?

Post back with those details (even a screenshot of the error text is fine) and I’ll walk you through the precise fix step-by-step.