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Useful settings for Microsoft Flight Simulator

We will introduce some useful settings that you should do first in MSFS.

Select language and display subtitles

PC You can switch the language of the characters displayed on the game screen. If you are not good at English, please switch to your preferred language.
Select [OPTIONS] from the main screen. Then you will see a screen like this. Click [GENERAL OPTIONS] on the far left.
Language selection
PC Open the [OPTIONS]-[GENERAL OPTIONS]-[MISC] screen. Select your preferred language in [LANGUAGE] in the [INTERNATIONAL SETTINGS] field. Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen. That's all.
The language switching will be applied from the next time MSFS is started.
Display subtitles
PC Conversation audio during the game is in English. If you have difficulty hearing English, you can add subtitles. Subtitles will also be displayed in the language selected on the screen above.
Open the [OPTIONS]-[GENERAL OPTIONS]-[ACCESSIBILITY] screen. Set [SUBTITLES] in the [SUBTITLE SETTINGS] field to [ON]. Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen.

Cockpit interface

MSFS has two types of operation interfaces for cockpit switches. This is called [COCKPIT INTERACTION SYSTEM], and you can choose between [LOCK] and [LEGACY].
LOCK
PC When you align the dot (cursor) that appears on the screen with a switch using the controller's right analog stick, a description of that switch will be displayed. When you press the [A] button etc. on the controller, that switch will be [LOCK]. Next, follow the displayed instructions to perform various operations. Then press the [B] button etc. on the controller to [UNLOCK].
While [LOCK] is in effect, all other switches will not respond. It may be suitable for beginners because the operating instructions are displayed and it is difficult to make mistakes. However, to operate the switches, you need to go through the steps of [LOCK]-[Switch operation]-[UNLOCK].
LEGACY
PC This is the same operation method as previous versions. Switches can be operated directly with the mouse cursor.
When you hover your mouse cursor over a switch, the name of that switch will be displayed. You can interact with switches by clicking them, dragging them, or rotating the scroll wheel.
How you move the mouse cursor to perform operations varies depending on the switch. At first, you need to gain experience and learn how to operate each one.
It would be difficult to operate a large aircraft that requires many switch operations without this method.
How to switch interfaces
PC Open the [OPTIONS]-[GENERAL OPTIONS]-[ACCESSIBILITY] screen. Then scroll the screen on the right to find [COCKPIT INTERACTION SYSTEM] and click [<] or [>] on the left and right of where it says [LOCK].
PC Then [LOCK] will change to [LEGACY]. Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen.

Match the performance of your computer / Adjust the graphic drawing quality

PC You can change the graphic drawing quality according to the performance of your computer. You can choose from four levels: [LOW-END], [MEDIUM], [HIGH-END], and [ULTRA], and the later options allow you to enjoy higher-definition graphics. However, you will need a high-performance computer. If you feel that your computer's performance is insufficient, or if you are flying through scenery such as a city area where many objects appear, try lowering one step this setting.
To switch this, open the [OPTIONS]-[GENERAL OPTIONS]-[GRAPHICS] screen. Click [<] or [>] under [GLOBAL RENDERING QUALITY] to select the quality. Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen.

Assist settings

Microsoft Flight Simulator provides flight assistance based on the user's skill level. The degree of assistance can also be set in detail for each item.
PC Select [OPTIONS] from the main screen. Then you will see a screen like this. Click [ASSISTANCE OPTIONS] in the center.
Switching assist level
PC The current assist level is displayed at the top of the screen. The initial value is [ALL ASSISTS].
You can switch to [MIDDLE-GROUND] or [TRUE TO LIFE] by clicking [<] or [>] on the left and right of [ALL ASSISTS] at the top of the screen.
[ALL ASSISTS] is recommended for beginners. If you select this option, even beginners can easily operate a jet airliner.
After setting, click [DONE].
Suppress notification display
PC After you've flown a few times, you'll find the notifications on your screen annoying. Once you get used to flying to a certain extent, turn off the three items in the [NOTIFICATION] column: [PILOTING AND CONTROLS NOTIFICATIONS], [AIRCRACT SYSTEM], and [SOFTWARE TIPS]. I think it is better to do this.
Does a jet airliner crash right after takeoff? Prevent automatic throttle reduction
PC Depending on the aircraft you are piloting, problems may occur if you leave it set to [ALL ASSISTS]. In particular, there are cases where the throttle of a jet airliner is automatically tightened immediately after takeoff, resulting in a crash. In this case, turn off [ASSISTED TAKEOFF] in the [PILOTING] column.

Adjust data traffic

Restrict data communication by function
PC You can adjust the amount of data communication for the game according to the speed and communication limit of the network to which your computer is connected.
Open the [OPTIONS]-[GENERAL OPTIONS]-[DATA] screen. You can reduce data traffic by switching each item in the [DATA CONNECTION] field to [OFF].
In particular, if you turn [BING DATA WORLD GRAPHICS] and [PHOTOGRAMMETRY] to [OFF], the amount of data communication will be significantly reduced, but the quality of scenery drawing will also deteriorate.
Also, by setting [ONLINE FUNCTIONALITY] to [OFF], all items can be turned [OFF] at once. If you turn everything off, the amount of data communication during play will be almost zero.
Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen.
Limit data usage
PC In the [DATA CONSUMPTION] field on this screen, you can also specify the data usage and bandwidth to be used numerically.
The [CURRENT DATA CONSUMPTION] field displays the cumulative amount of data communication usage to date. The data here will be reset on the date specified in [DATA TRACKING RESET DAY].
When [DATA LIMITATION] is set to [ON], you can limit the amount of data communication that MSFS can use per month in the [DATA LIMIT (GIB)] field.
Finally, click [APPLY AND SAVE] at the bottom left of the screen.
Download scenery data in advance
PC Microsoft Flight Simulator has a rolling cache and manual cache feature that stores scenery data. If you use this skillfully, you can reduce network traffic. Please see Save MSFS scenery data in cache to reduce internet traffic, how to use rolling cache and manual cache for details.