67 Hours

[Splitpin]

That's how long it took me to download MSFS 2020...Not worrying about the new one for a while.
I've never encountered such a space hungry monster in all my sim life its taken my C drive 1Tb thing down to 75Gb.
I was impressed that it detected my system specs and adjusted accordingly...thank goodness.
According to steam, I've played for 67 hours ...no I haven't ! I've been waiting for 67 bloody hours...and now I'm stuck....and that's just the base stuff.

I've downloaded (not installed) some addons I want, but there is no way I can load them with the big red band showing on the C drive.
I know most of you have moved onto the latest incarnation, but if I may ask a question.....can I move all this onto an empty 2TB external drive? The whole file structure is alien...I cant see (at the moment) where all this stuff is going.
More than happy to use bandwidth, that's one bill I do pay...just need to get it away from the C drive.

I wasn't sure if this would even work, but its all there (thank you Adam), I've set up all the options ......just need more space.
My main motivation was that freeware F-27, and without wanting to sound like Jack Nicholson(adaptation)....I want that Fokker...I need that Fokker....

Anyway.....just asking.

Cheers

[Charl]

Marty that doesn't sound right - I don't have my Simbox to hand, but it's not that big!
As to addons, do yourself a BIG favour and get Addon Linker.
There are many benefits.

[Adamski]

I know most of you have moved onto the latest incarnation, but if I may ask a question.....can I move all this onto an empty 2TB external drive? The whole file structure is alien...I cant see (at the moment) where all this stuff is going.
More than happy to use bandwidth, that's one bill I do pay...just need to get it away from the C drive.

The vast bulk of the stuff (the addons, I mean) can go anywhere you like - providing it's a relatively fast drive and not an external one that you might forget and unplug.

99.9% of us use "Addons Linker" - which allows you to place all your addons, then link to them - only enabling what you want in any specific session. The actual files remain where you put them - all that happens is that the Linker creates a symbolic link in your default Community Folder, pointing to the addon location.

It's a superb little program - and still actively updated by Bad_T, the author ... though it's so good that he's hardly needed to touch it for years.

I was so impressed with it that I created a setup guide for organising your addons:
Addons Linker - General Procedure

It might look complicated at first sight but, like many computer-related things, if you get it right at the beginning it'll save you loads of time down the line.

[toprob]

I don't use Steam for MSFS, but there is this post here:

https://forums.flightsimulator.com/t/mo ... m/546392/2

The second method here is probably what I'd choose, I don't think there's any reason to uninstall anything. Just move the folder which contains the Official and Community folders, and when you next run MSFS it should ask to update. Just point it to the new folder you created on the bigger drive, and it should see that everything is there and ready to go -- after mulling it over for a while.

I especially don't recommend the suggestion that you ctrl-x cut and then paste, as there is so much that can go wrong here -- ok, here I go, crtl-x, now to switch to the new folder -- ring, ring, ring, ring -- hi Marty, can you email me that list your promised? -- Ok, I'll just copy/paste it.... woops...

EDIT
Just saw the answers after I'd posted, sorry about that. Yes, people love addon linker, but I've never felt the need for it, the sim just lets you install anywhere you like, and if you need to shift it, it's easy enough using the method outlined on the msfs forum above.

[toprob]

...and I don't wanna be that guy, but the new sim takes up 1/10 of the space of 2020:) My 2020 install is 290GB, and 2024 is 30.8, as it doesn't need to download and install any of the world updates etc, they are just streamed.

[Adamski]

Yes, people love addon linker, but I've never felt the need for it, the sim just lets you install anywhere you like, and if you need to shift it, it's easy enough using the method outlined on the msfs forum above.

One of the main advantages I felt with the Linker for MSFS 2020 (which isn't streamed) is that you can slim down what you need on a per-session basis - so saving you a fair bit in initial *loading* time.

Once in the sim, performance remains the same - but your selection menus (for aircraft, specifically) only show what you've enabled, instead of a list 30 pages long (depending on how much crud you're tempted to install). Don't fall for the snake oil that the Linker will improve performance when in the cockpit: that's not what it does.

Theoretically, sceneries that are active (and you're not using Linker) shouldn't affect things if they're outside your local area/radius - but I've heard people doing diagnostics and finding loads of calls to scenery that's way beyond the active area.

[Splitpin]

Thanks very much chaps for the input. I may have mislead you with used space comment, I meant that after the initial install, I'm down to 79.2 ... so the download was about 290.
I managed to get into one of the discovery flights ...looks good.
Will spend some time after work learning more and following your advise.
This format (MSFS) is totally new to me ...big learning curve , the interface is very confusing ....just want to pick an aircraft and location and then fly. Ill get there.
Super chuffed the big black box I got from Adam handles it really well.
Many thanks again for the support .....Ill be back

[Adamski]

... the interface is very confusing ....just want to pick an aircraft and location and then fly.

The GUI is utterly, totally bonkers - and hasn't been fixed in MSFS 2024 (though it does have additional functionality).

Lots of meaningless/confusing labels and senseless ordering in the lists. I think the whole interface was translated into Swahili, passed through a rogue AI application, translated back into French then Google translated back to "English". Result: gibberish!!

eg. "Drone" view is also referred to as "Showcase" view ... why???

[Q400]

The GUI is Totally, Utterly, Bonkers. Gosh surprise surprise there is really is one more person
in this very mixed up world of ours who thinks the same as I do
I just can't believe that this has made it to market in it's current very complex state.
The user interface and keyboard interaction is a shocker.
I am going to stick to 2020 for all my New Zealand flying until they get rid of the trees that
make our cities look like jungles. You can't see the roads or buildings until you are right on top
of them. I have installed NZA Tauranga for 2024 and it is first class. Have also downloaded all
the other NZA sceneries that have ported over from this developer.
However, I just can't stand some of the out of date photo-real stuff that is a feature of Cities.
I will also try using the 2020 keyboard option and see if I can set up my yoke and pedals the
same as I have in 2020.
Here end the lesson

[Adamski]

I'm guessing that the GUI developers and general sim developers are two completely separate teams that barely communicate with each other - possibly because they're on different planets

That said, I'm still sticking to 2024. I think we've all forgotten that 2020 was a mess when *that* came out. I'm hoping it won't take another 4 years to sort out!

[Splitpin]

Off topic , but about the topic....how did I get into the top of the page....the darker area above the daily posts ?

[emfrat]

Off topic , but about the topic....how did I get into the top of the page....the darker area above the daily posts ?

No idea, but I'd say you're stuck with it, or stickied, or summat like