Skip to content

Frequently Asked Questions

How to install add-ons

  1. Download the add-on archive file from one of the links we provide on each post. For a few add-ons, there are multiple archive files due to filehoster size limitations. In that case, you need to download all archive parts (XYZ.part1.rar, XYZ.part2.rar, …) and store them inside the same folder.
  2. Find your Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Community folder. This guide will help you find it.
  3. Extract the archive contents to your Community folder, preferably with the latest WinRAR version (you can get it here).
    If you’re using any anti-virus software, we recommend temporarily disabling it while doing so, it could block add-on files from getting extracted.
    (If you downloaded multiple archive files, click on the first part, WinRAR will automatically access the other parts during extraction.)
  4. Most add-ons can be directly extracted to the Community folder, with a few exceptions. Always check for Readme/Info text files within the files. After extracting, the path to the crucial add-on manifest.json file must look like this: Community\<addon_folder_name>\manifest.json

Current add-on warnings

There are some caveats about certain add-ons, we will keep this list updated. See the warnings inside the Info boxes on each post:

Current add-on conflicts

The following add-ons are conflicting with each other, see the warnings inside info boxes on each post for more information & recommendations. The icons will give you an overview of what to do:

  • ✅ : Recommended to install
  • ❌ : Recommended to not install
  • ⚠️ : Recommended to be partially installed/modified depending on what is conflicting with it
  • ❓ : No recommendation given, you have to decide what you like best

Note that Asobo & Microsoft airports without an URL are integrated into MSFS, either by default or from World Updates, you must delete them with the MSFS In-game content manager. To find Asobo & Microsoft airports inside add-on bundles you need to switch to list view.

Fixing MSFS crashes caused by add-ons

At one point, after installing lots of add-ons you might find the game to sporadically crash to desktop (CTD). This is most likely caused by several add-ons using the same name for ModelLib files and MaterialLibs folders. This also causes some airports to have missing/pink textures.

To fix it, use MSFS Addons Linker by following our step-by-step guide.

If this didn’t help and CTDs are still occurring, try clearing your MSFS Rolling Cache as described here.

As a last resort if CTDs are still occurring, try deleting the Content.xml file which can be found here:

  • Steam version: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Content.xml
  • Microsoft Store version: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Content.xml

Fixing MSFS aircraft bugs & crashes

In case you are experiencing bugs, weird behaviour or even crashes when using a certain aircraft, try deleting all folders within the MSFS packages directory (used by aircraft for cache files). It can be found here:

  • Steam version: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages
  • Microsoft Store version: C:\Users\USERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\Packages

Note: Afterwards, in case you are using aircraft from SimPlaza that required running ACTIVATE.bat scripts, you need to run each script again.

Sharing add-ons

If you own a MSFS add-on that is not yet listed on SimPlaza, we would love to post it. All contributions are very welcome!

We recommend compressing the add-on folder (with WinRAR, WinZip, 7-Zip) if required and uploading the archive to Filebin, MEGA, MediaFire or any other filehoster of choice. You can then send us the download link by E-mail.

Please note that we can only post add-ons that were purchased from third party stores like simMarket. Add-ons purchased from the MSFS in-game marketplace are most likely DRM protected and thus useless. To check if an add-on is protected, search for files with suffix .fsarchive inside the add-on folder.

FAQ revisions:
2022-05-26: Removed previously added mesh conflict & added warning for Orbx Himalaya & New Zealand mesh
2022-05-22: Added Himalaya and Central Asia Mesh & Changsha City Scenery conflict
2022-05-18: Added LICJ & LIPB conflict
2022-05-15: Added EDWE & EHRD conflict
2022-05-14 (2): Added OMDB conflict
2022-05-14: Added Real Taxiways Europe & EDLW conflict
2022-05-11: Added LTFE recommendation & changed some incorrectly labeled Asobo airports to Microsoft
2022-05-10: Added LTFE conflict
2022-05-06: Added content manager list view hint
2022-05-04: Changed BIIS recommendation
2022-05-04: Added BIIS, RKPK & RKSS conflicts
2022-05-01: Added REX Weather Force removal notice

FAQ PDF FileDownload