Solved Moving MSFS

needlenoses · May 3, 2023

Using the move feature under apps in Win 11, I attempted to put MSFS onto a WD 1T regular drive from my Samsung 1T SSD. The move ran for a long time, then quit. Nothing at all got moved. This might be a temp fix for a space shortage if it would work. Will be looking for a 2T SSD next month.
Ideas please.

Ghot · May 3, 2023

needlenoses said:
Using the move feature under apps in Win 11, I attempted to put MSFS onto a WD 1T regular drive from my Samsung 1T SSD. The move ran for a long time, then quit. Nothing at all got moved. This might be a temp fix for a space shortage if it would work. Will be looking for a 2T SSD next month.
Ideas please.

The best way to move a game... is to uninstall it (with a program like REVO Uninstaller), and re-install it onto the WD 1TB drive.

If the game has it's Save file somewhere like C:\Users\<user name>\Documents or C:\Users\<user name>\AppData... or maybe, C:\ProgramData or located in the game's install directory ...you can copy the Save file(s) before you uninstall the game. Then after the re-install... put the Save file(s) back.

That way, you won't lose your game settings, save files, game data, etc.

I just did the same for an older Microsoft golf game, myself.
In my case the Save files were located here...

When you use REVO to uninstall MSFS, make sure you "Scan for leftovers" after the main uninstall... and delete the leftovers.
That will give you a clean slate (in the registry), for the re-install of MSFS on the WD 1TB.

Revo Uninstaller Free

Download Revo Uninstaller Free helps you to uninstall software and remove unwanted programs easily. Remove all uninstall leftovers and traces

www.revouninstaller.com

During the re-install (you may have to choose: Custom), the installer will ask where you want to install the game.
You might have to "Browse" or type the location, where you want to install, on the WD 1TB.

needlenoses · May 3, 2023

Appreciate the input, but this game at this stage is in at least two sections 1 is 291 GB and other ( core ) is 341MB. Long long time to re-install it. So, my first choice now would be too fork out some money for a 2T SSD. Price has really come down. Also some of the data I purchased separately so is a bit custom.

Marcus Vinicus · May 3, 2023

A good starting point for moving MSFS is to read this from Microsoft:

https://flightsimulator.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/7059727103260-How-to-move-Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-to-a-new-PC-#:~:text=How%20to%20move%20Microsoft%20Flight%20Simulator%20to%20a,backup%20folders%20inside%20your%20new%20folder.%20More%20items

There is this thread at AVSIM about moving MSFS from one drive to another on the same PC. I haven't personally tried this method so cannot confirm that it works.

Bought a new computer how do I move MSFS

do I have to re download and how would I do that? Thanks!

www.avsim.com

The official MSFS forum is a great place to get tech support etc.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Forums

This is the official forum for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Use this forum to connect with other flight simmers, ask for flight assistance, or log official bug reports.

forums.flightsimulator.com

needlenoses · May 3, 2023

Did what he did on the forum with no luck so far.

Marcus Vinicus · May 4, 2023

needlenoses said:
Did what he did on the forum with no luck so far.

There is this long thread over the at MSFS Official Forum.

Can't move Flight Simulator to another SSD. Error code 0x80070005

Hey, because of the FS folder getting bigger and bigger I want to move the installation to another fresh SSD with more space. However with doing so via the Apps settings in the Windows settings, I get an error. It’s in German but summarized it says ‘It can’t be moved. Try again next time. Error...

forums.flightsimulator.com

If you are using the Microsoft Store version (as opposed to the Steam version) you will probably have to do a fresh reinstall. And yes I know it takes ages......

Steve C · May 4, 2023

The MS Store version of MSFS 2020 is the work of the devil. I had endless problems installing it on a new PC. I suggest buying the Steam version of games given a choice.