Solved Moving MSFS

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.

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.

Click to expand...

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.





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.

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.

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


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.


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

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

needlenoses said:

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

Click to expand...

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

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......

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.

Too late now; this is the store version and I had no real trouble with the install other than slow.

Steve C said:

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.

Click to expand...

Have never had an issue with installing the MS store variant. Those that have issues almost always is related to the OS itself. Usually items not haven been updated to latest such as XBox app, MS store app, Game services etc..The advantage with the store variant is is does not require another client to be running.