How to use flightsim.to to add free add-ons (planes, airports, scenery) to MSFS
The site flightsim.to allows you to download various user-developed content for Microsoft Flight Simulator for free or for a fee. You can get aircraft, airports, scenery, liveries (aircraft paintings), various tools, and more.Here we will explain how to download the add-on content and how to install it on MSFS.
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Contents
Add-on installation procedure
The steps to install additional content to Microsoft Flight Simulator are roughly as follows.- Download additional content, either for a fee or for free, from websites where the content is distributed.
- Downloaded content is usually compressed in ZIP, RAR, 7z format, etc. Unzip this in any folder.
- Move the unzipped files, including their entire folder, to the "Community" folder in the folder that stores MSFS data.
Uninstall
If you want to uninstall content, just delete the folder from the "Community" folder. If you want to check the influence/effect of the content, try moving the folder in and out of the "Community" folder.
(MSFS must be restarted each time content is moved.)
Installation tips
The more additional content you install, the longer it takes to launch the game. You can speed up startup by loading and unloading content you don't usually use or wide-area scenery from the "Community" folder depending on the flight situation and location. Also, if you install multiple scenery with the same region / building, all content will be displayed overlapping regardless of the order. Please note that this will increase the display load.
Community folder location
The location of the Community folder where you should store your add-ons is as follows (For the Steam version of MSFS):MSFS2024
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Some of third-party add-ons for MSFS2020 can be used simply by copying the contents of the Community folder (some require a paid upgrade). However, some add-ons are not compatible with MSFS2024. Please check the manufacturer's website for support information.
MSFS2020
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If you did not specify a data storage folder during installation, it will be located under "C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages".
Change the location of the Community folder
Using the free software MSFS Addons Linker , you can freely change the location of the Community folder and enable/disable add-on content with one click.
How to use MSFS Addons Linker to organize your Community folders
What is flightsim.to?
This is one of the websites where user-developed add-ons like mods, liveries (aircraft paintings) and scenerys for Microsoft Flight Simulator are collected. If you sign in, you can use all the basic functions for free, but if you become a paid Premium member, your download speed will be faster and ads will not be displayed.Sign in to flightsim.to
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MSFS Mods, Add-Ons & Liveries - Flightsim.to
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In the "Username" field, think of your pen name and enter it. This will be your logon ID. Your name will also appear on the screen when you post a comment.
In the "Your Email Address" and "Confirm email address" fields, enter your valid email address.
In the "Password" and "Confirm password" fields, think of and enter a password that will only be used for flightsim.to.
In the "Privacy Policy and Term" column, check the contents of the personal information protection policy and check it.
Finally, check "I'm not a robot" and click the "Create My Account" button.
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Find content
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In "Add-Ons", you can obtain various add-on data regarding the aircraft.
In "Liveries", you can obtain paint and cockpit add-ons for each aircraft.
In "Sceneries", you can obtain data on airports, buildings, and scenery.
Other tools are available under "Others".
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Click "All Categories" to see all the contents of "Sceneries".
Click "New Releases" to see recently added content.
Click "Recent Update" to see recently updated content.
In addition, you can display categories such as popular content, international airports, cities, and scenery maps.
At the bottom of this screen, you'll find a list of countries and some of the most popular categories. You can also choose from here.
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As an example, click the "Japan" button at the bottom of this screen to list content related to Japan.
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Also, sometimes you will find titles with "fictional" in them, which indicates that they are fictional airports or scenery created by users.
Use this information to find high-quality content.
For example, in the case of city scenery, you may find multiple pieces of content that cover similar areas. In such cases, choose the content you want to download based on information such as whether it has a better reputation, is updated frequently, or has a newer release date.
Download & install content
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In particular, be aware that some content named "Enhanced" assumes that other paid/free content has already been installed.
Click the "Download now" button at the top right of the screen to download the content. However, if the browser screen size is small, the "Download now" button will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
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Check "I'm not a robot" and click the "Start Download" button to start downloading the content.
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In the example on this screen, the file is divided into two files: "Main File" and "part2". Once you have finished downloading the "Main File", you will need to click the "Download now" button to return to this screen again and download "part2" as well.
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In such cases, there are two types: cases where you simply unzip multiple files, and cases where the files are in "split RAR" format.
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View list of downloaded content/Check for updates
Add-on content is frequently updated by its developers. Check your list of downloaded content and re-download and install any updates.
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Click the "Update available" button above the search box...
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Please delete any previous versions remaining in the Community folder before installing the latest version.
Create add on content for MSFS yourself
To create content for MSFS yourself, switch MSFS to [DEVELOPER MODE] and use the SDK (Software Development Kit) that can be downloaded from the [HELP] menu. Microsoft has published a site that explains this SDK: Flight Simulator SDK Documentation page.This method is explained on the page How to download and install MSFS SDK, Blender, plugin, tools . Please refer to it.
How to download and install MSFS SDK, Blender, plugin, tools
Flight Simulator SDK Documentation (Microsoft)
A Written MSFS SDK Scenery Creation Tutorial (Flightsim.to)