FS2004 (MSFS 2004) won’t start or run on Windows 11

FS2004 on Windows 11 – practical things to try

Yep, FS2004 can be a bit picky on newer Windows builds, but you can usually get it running with a few basics. Here’s what I’d try in order.

1) Install/run it “old-school”

1. If you haven’t already, install FS2004 to a simple folder outside Windows protected paths (avoid Program Files if you can). Example:
   C:\FS2004\

2. After install, run the sim once by right-clicking fs9.exe and choosing “Run as administrator”.

2) Compatibility + fullscreen tweaks
Right-click fs9.exe → Properties → Compatibility:

• Try “Run this program in compatibility mode” (start with Windows XP SP3, if that doesn’t help try Windows 7).
• Check “Disable fullscreen optimizations”.
• Check “Run this program as an administrator”.

3) Reset the config (common quick fix)
A corrupt or mismatched config can stop startup (or crash right after the splash).

1. Find your FS2004 config file:
   C:\Users\YOURNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\FS9\FS9.cfg

2. Rename it to:
   FS9.cfg.bak

3. Start FS2004 again and let it rebuild a fresh config.

4) Test with default settings / no add-ons
If you’re using any add-on aircraft/scenery/modules, one bad module can stop FS9 from launching.

1. If it starts and then dies when loading a flight, try forcing it to load a default aircraft/airport after the config rebuild.
2. If you have anything like older modules in the FS9 “Modules” folder, temporarily move them out and test (just a temporary test, don’t delete).

5) Check the crash details (this saves a lot of guessing)
If it won’t start at all, Windows will usually log the faulting module.

1. Open Windows “Event Viewer”
2. Go to “Windows Logs” → “Application”
3. Look for an Error tied to fs9.exe

If you can post the “Faulting module name” and exception code, it’ll usually point straight at the culprit.

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

• Does FS2004 not launch at all, or do you get the splash screen and then it closes/crashes?
• Is this a fresh FS2004 install on Windows 11, or a copy moved over from an older PC?
• Where is it installed (full path), and are you running any add-ons (aircraft, scenery, weather engine), or any FS9 “Modules”?
• If you can, paste the Event Viewer error for fs9.exe (faulting module + exception code).