MSFS 2020 download is extremely slow (8 GB / 7% after 24 hours)

Hi Jules,

No, that’s not “normal” for most connections, but it is something MSFS can do when it’s hitting a bad server/CDN node, the Microsoft Store/Xbox app is misbehaving, or something on the PC/network is throttling it.

As for shutting the PC off: in most cases the MSFS installer will resume where it left off (it doesn’t usually restart from 0%), but it can sometimes re-check files and re-download a chunk if something got corrupted or the download didn’t close cleanly. If you can, it’s safer to pause first and then shut down.

Things I’d try (in order)

1. Don’t download over Wi‑Fi if you can avoid it
   If you’re on Wi‑Fi, try a wired Ethernet connection for the install. MSFS is very sensitive to packet loss and “flaky” Wi‑Fi, and it manifests as crawling speeds.

2. Reboot your modem/router and the PC
   It sounds basic, but it often forces a different route/CDN node and clears stuck connections.

3. Make sure nothing else is saturating the connection
   Pause other game downloads (Steam, Epic, etc.), cloud sync (OneDrive/Google Drive), VPNs, and big Windows Updates while MSFS is pulling content.

4. Try a different time of day
   MSFS servers/CDNs can be wildly inconsistent. If you’re downloading during peak evening hours, try letting it run early morning or midday.

5. Temporarily disable “extra” filtering
   If you’re running a VPN, third-party firewall, “web shield,” or antivirus network inspection, try disabling it temporarily just to see if the speed jumps. (You can turn it right back on after.)

About pausing / resuming

• If there’s a Pause option in the installer, use that before shutting down.
• If you just power off mid-stream, it usually resumes, but that’s when you’re more likely to see it re-check or re-download parts.

A couple quick questions so we can narrow it down

1. Are you installing via the Microsoft Store / Xbox app, or Steam?
2. Roughly what’s your normal internet speed (and are you on Wi‑Fi or Ethernet)?
3. Do you see the speed indicator in the MSFS downloader fluctuating (e.g., spikes then drops to near zero), or is it consistently slow?
4. Any VPN, “gaming booster,” or third-party antivirus/firewall running?

Answer those and I’ll suggest the most likely next step based on your setup.