How to Safely Load MSFS Updates
The complete procedure for loading updates into Microsoft Flight Simulator on a PC can be convoluted – here are some steps that could help. These steps are time ordered, and you can simply refer to the contents list for a reminder of the steps.
If these steps still fail, there is a script you can try at the end of the page. I haven’t tried it myself but Obsidian Ant has offered this fix and is a well known and trusted vlogger.
Page Contents
Pre-Requisites
Ensure the XBox App is loaded
This one caught me out some time back. The PC version uses the XBox app to verify your computer, so go to the Windows store, install and log into the XBox app. Without it, downloads may appear to hang without reason.
Delete the Rolling Cache
The rolling cache may contain data that may be significantly different from the data coming in with updates. The differences can cause all kinds of visible problems as well as system crashes in the worst cases.
Delete the Manual Cache
Unfortunately, for the same reasons as deleting the rolling cache, any work you put into building the manual cache has to go too. For this reason, I don’t use it.
Rename the ‘Community’ Folder to ‘Community.old’
This is the 100% complete way to take away all of the community content with minimal fuss. I use the Addons-Linker from Flightsim.to, but deselecting all of those links does not remove links and folders that have been created from other sources.
Loading Updates
Restart your machine
This will lower the likelihood that you have programs running that will interfere with the process.
Fetch Microsoft Store Updates
Go through the update and reboot cycle repeatedly until all pending Windows updates have been acquired and installed. This also ensures the XBox app is up to date.
Collect Updates Via MSFS
Since you have already been to the store for updates, you are in a good position for MSFS to carry on with its local installation.
Install MSFS Market’s World Updates
The world updates are individual packages that need to be selected and downloaded like items that are for sale. They have their own ‘World Update’ button to make them easier to find.
Install Content Manager Updates
Install any pending updates in your content manager since these may be related to new code in any sim changes.
I’m not sure if you can do all of the updates from either place, so I check both.
Consolidate the Updates
Restart your machine to integrate the updates
If you think you have covered all the bases correctly, the next thing to do is quit out of MSFS gently via the menu options and then restart your machine.
Run MSFS and Check
Starting MSFS on a freshly rebooted system will give the software a chance to perform any initialisation it needs to do on the new code, without interference from the community folder. Have another look to see if you have missed any updates.
Exit MSFS
We don’t want MSFS to be running for the final steps.
Prepare for Normal Use
Delete the New Community Folder
A new, empty community folder will have been created during the installation. It should be empty, but take a look anyway. Delete the folder.
Rename ‘Community.old’ folder to ‘Community’
You are now in a position to recover all of the community add-ons you have, so rename the stored community folder.
Restart your machine
Not strictly necessary, but it will eliminate any chance of problems persisting on your first proper use of your reconstructed system, so its a good habit to have.
Start MSFS
This is where you can enjoy the trouble-free simming you earned by making changes in a methodical manner.
If That Fails Then Try This
Well known and trusted vlogger Obsidian Ant has documented a software fix to break the infinite update loop. You can find the original text in the text of the video description for this video under the title ‘Fix for Gaming Services Loop’.
It says:
“Launch PowerShell as an administrator and enter “get-appxpackage Microsoft.GamingServices | remove-AppxPackage -allusers” In the same powershell window, enter “start ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9MWPM2CQNLHN” Install the app on that page, including accepting the UAC prompt when shown. Try launching the game again. Re-install the game if necessary”
Obsidian Ant