Identifying the Correct Community Folder for MSFS 2020 Add-On Installations

Pro Member Trainee
jameslenzini Trainee
Joined: Nov 24, 2021 Posts: 3
Asked
Sat Dec 23, 2023 9:22 pm

Trying to install new airplanes, etc. I found it here. Says extract to community folder but an explorer search shows like 20 folders starting with the word community all under the Microsoft flight simulator sub folder. Using the PC but I have lots of Xbox folders too.

Answers 1 Answers

Jump to latest
Pro Member Captain
Ian Stephens (ianstephens) Captain
Joined: Feb 22, 2012 Posts: 828 Ian Stephens is an expert on this topic. Read his bio here.
Expert Answered
Fri Dec 29, 2023 11:18 pm

First off, great to hear you're expanding your MSFS 2020 experience with new aircraft and add-ons. It's a common area of confusion, but fret not; I'm here to guide you through the process.

Identifying the Correct Community Folder

When it comes to MSFS 2020, the Community folder is your go-to destination for all third-party content. This includes aircraft, scenery, liveries, and more. The confusion arises because MSFS creates multiple folders with similar names, especially when synced across platforms like Xbox and PC. Here's a step-by-step guide to finding the correct folder:

  • Open File Explorer on your PC.
  • Navigate to your MSFS installation directory. This can vary based on where you installed the game but is typically found under C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_[RandomString]\LocalCache\Packages\Community.
  • If you installed MSFS through Steam, the path might be different, often under C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common.
  • Look for a folder named simply Community. This is where you should install your add-ons.

If you're still having trouble locating the folder, consider using the MSFS settings. In the game, go to Options > General > Developers, and enable Developer Mode. This will allow you to see the path to the Community folder in the developer console.

Installation of Add-Ons

Once you've located the correct Community folder, installation is straightforward:

  • Download the add-on and extract it using a program like WinRAR or 7-Zip.
  • Copy the extracted folder directly into the Community folder.
  • Restart MSFS 2020 for the changes to take effect.

Remember, these steps are applicable to both MSFS 2020 and X-Plane 12 if relevant.

Additional Tips

  • Always ensure your add-ons are compatible with the latest version of MSFS 2020.
  • Organize your add-ons within the Community folder for easier management.
  • For larger collections, consider using a mod manager tool to streamline the process.

Hope this clarifies things for you. If you have any more questions or need further details, feel free to ask!

Still does not answer your question? Ask a new question!

If the question and answers provided above do not answer your specific question - why not ask a new question of your own? Our community and flight simulator experts will provided a dedicated and unique answer to your flight sim question. And, you don't even need to register to post your question!

Ask New Question...

Search

Search our questions and answers...

Be sure to search for your question from existing posted questions before asking a new question as your question may already exist from another user. If you're sure your question is unique and hasn't been asked before, consider asking a new question.

Related Questions

Flight Sim Questions that are closely related to this...