How to use MSFS Addons Linker to organize your Community folders

Using free software called MSFS Addons Linker, you can freely change the location of the Community folder that stores add-on content for Microsoft Flight Simulator, and enable/disable add-on content with a single click. Here we will introduce how to use MSFS Addons Linker, a must-have for add-on content users.

このページを日本語で見る

What is MSFS Addons Linker?

This is a software developed by bad2000 that allows you to flexibly manage add-on content for Microsoft Flight Simulator. You can create a list of the add-on content you own and enable/disable it with one click. You can also store add-on content on any drive/folder without being tied to the location of the MSFS Community folder.
The more add-on content you install in the Community folder, the longer it takes to start MSFS. By using this software to enable only the minimum amount of add-on content, you can reduce the startup time of MSFS.
This software creates a list of add-on content stored in a specified folder and creates symbolic links to it in the MSFS Community folder. By creating/deleting these symbolic links, this software instantly enables/disables add-on content without having to move/copy the add-on content files themselves. If you own both MSFS2024 and MSFS2020, you can consolidate both add-on content in one place, saving disk space.
This software is compatible with both MSFS2024 and MSFS2020.

Organize your add-on content

The first thing you'll need to do to get started using this tool is organize the add-on content you own. Move your add-on content from the Community folder in MSFS to a different drive/folder. The important thing is to organize your folders as clearly as possible. Having detailed folder organization will make it much easier to find and select your add-on content with this tool.
I categorized them as shown in this figure. I created a folder called "addon_backup", and under that I created folders for each category, such as "Aircraft" and "Airport". Then, under each category folder, I created a folder for each country, for airports and scenery, and for liveries I created a folder for the corresponding aircraft. I then categorized the add-on content that I had saved in the Community folder into each folder under "addon_backup".
Note that you do not need to move all of your add-on content out of the Community folder. You can leave any add-on content you are sure you want enabled all the time in the Community folder.

If you purchased the MS Store version of MSFS, the contents of the Community folder are encrypted. Once add-on content has been placed in the Community folder, it cannot be copied to another location. In this case, download the add-on content again from the distribution site, etc., and save it in the new destination drive/folder.

Most free add-on content does not follow the MSFS SDK naming rules, so it can be difficult to determine and classify the contents of the add-on content from its package name. Add-on content developers should name their packages in accordance with the MSFS SDK naming rules. The MSFS SDK naming rules are explained on the following page.

How to create a project for MSFS add-on content

Download and install MSFS Addons Linker

MSFS Addons Linker is distributed on flightsim.to , where various add-on content for Microsoft Flight Simulator developed by users is published. You can download it by opening the MSFS Addons Linker 2020/2024 page and clicking "Download now" at the bottom right of this screen.
You can also download the instruction manual (PDF) created by AdamskiNZ from the MSFS Addons Linker - General Procedures page .
For information on how to log in and use flightsim.to, please see How to use flightsim.to to add free add-ons (planes, airports, scenery) to MSFS .

How to use flightsim.to to add free add-ons (planes, airports, scenery) to MSFS

MSFS Addons Linker 2020/2024 (flightsim.to)

MSFS Addons Linker - General Procedures (flightsim.to)

Once downloaded, you will get a compressed file with a name such as "MSFS_Addons_Linker_v26b_VfEpB.zip". Unzip this into any folder.
This will create a folder called "MSFS_Addons_Linker" as shown in the figure, and the contents of the compressed file will be extracted. "MSFS_Addons_Linker.exe" is the executable file for MSFS2020. "MSFS_Addons_Linker_2024.exe" is the executable file for MSFS2024. Double-click either one to start it.
Note that the latest version does not require the "Run this program as administrator" setting.

We recommend placing a shortcut to the exe file on your desktop or elsewhere. The top icon in the image on the right is for 2020, and the bottom icon is for 2024. Use the different colors to distinguish between them.
The download and installation is now complete.

Initial setup of MSFS Addons Linker

Double-click either "MSFS_Addons_Linker.exe" or "MSFS_Addons_Linker_2024.exe" to launch it. When you launch it for the first time, the screen on the right will be displayed. Click "More info".

Next, you will see a screen like this. Click "Run".

This will launch MSFS Addons Linker and open the options setting screen. You will need to set at least the following two items.
My Addons Folders
Specify the folder that contains the add-on content you downloaded. This is the folder where you initially categorized your add-on content. You can select the folder by clicking the

(Add) button in the top right of the screen. This tool recognizes subfolders. In this example, we have categorized all the add-on content under the "addon_backup" folder, so we only need to specify this one.
If you have saved your add-on content across multiple drives/folders, add them all.
MSFS Community folder
Specify the location of the MSFS Community folder. Click [...] on the right side of the screen to select a folder.
For the location of the Community folder, please refer to the "Community folder location" chapter on the How to use flightsim.to to add free add-ons (planes, airports, scenery) to MSFS page.

How to use flightsim.to to add free add-ons (planes, airports, scenery) to MSFS

This is how I set it up. Once you've completed the settings, click the "OK" button at the bottom right of the screen.

The folders containing add-on content will then be scanned and the MSFS Addons Linker main screen will open. The left half of the screen will display a list of the add-on content you own. The right half of the screen will display a list of the add-on content currently installed in the Community folder (or for which symbolic links have been generated).

When you save new add-on content or update add-on content while MSFS Addons Linker is running, click the

button to import the information.
Clicking the

button will collapse the Community folder list on the right half of the screen.
Clicking the

button will open the selected add-on's contents in File Explorer.

Enabling/Disabling Add-on Content

You can expand a folder by clicking the ">" mark next to the folder name on the left of the screen. Then check the check box to the left of the add-on content name to enable that add-on content. Checking a folder name will enable all of the add-on content contained in that folder.

(Enabled) mark appears to the left of the name of enabled add-on content. The add-on content name appears in the list on the right of the screen, and a symbolic link is immediately created in the Community folder.
If you uncheck the folder name/add-on content name, the add-on content will be disabled.

(Disabled) mark appears to the left of the name of disabled add-on content. The add-on content name disappears from the list on the right of the screen, and the symbolic link in the Community folder is immediately deleted.
Once you have finished setting the enable/disable, you can close MSFS Addons Linker. Next, start MSFS and verify that the add-on content is enabled/disabled as expected.

Note
Even if you enable/disable add-on content, the change will not be reflected in real time in a running MSFS. After enabling/disabling it, please restart MSFS.

Managing Paid Add-on Content

AdamskiNZ's manual (PDF: below) explains how to use MSFS Addons Linker to manage paid add-on content (e.g. ORBX, PMDG) that is installed in the Community folder.

MSFS Addons Linker - General Procedures (flightsim.to)

Clean up invalid add-on content

If add-on content is deleted from the storage folder, or if the name of the add-on content is changed due to a version upgrade, invalid symbolic links may remain in the Community folder. Such add-on content will be displayed in pink in the list on the right half of the screen.

If you right-click on the name of an add-on content that is pink, a menu like this will appear. If you select "Delete selected invalid link", only this invalid symbolic link will be deleted from the Community folder. If you select "Delete all invalid links", all invalid symbolic links will be deleted from the Community folder.

Where settings are stored/Replacing a computer

Various setting information for MSFS Addons Linker is saved in
C:\ProgramData\MSFS Addons Linker (MSFS2020)
C:\ProgramData\MSFS Addons Linker 2024 (MSFS2024)
. When you replace your computer, transfer the information from here.
The save destination for Presets (described below) can be specified or changed in the "Presets folder" field in the settings screen shown in the figure.
To open the settings screen, click the

(Settings) icon, or select [Tools]-[Options] from the menu.
Also, the presets save file ".preset" is compatible between MSFS2024 and 2020. You can copy and use it mutually. And it can be edited with a text editor.

Various folder operation functions

There are many convenient functions available for manipulating the enable/disable state of add-on content.

Temporarily save the enabled/disabled state

You can temporarily save the current enable/disable status of all add-on content in a storage area called "Memory" and recall it from there. This function is similar to the OS's "clipboard." When you close MSFS Addons Linker, the contents of the "Memory" will be lost.
Clicking the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure will temporarily save the enabled/disabled state to "Memory". Clicking the

icon will restore the enabled/disabled state from "Memory".

Enable/disable all at once

You can enable or disable all add-on content at once.
Clicking the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure will enable all add-on content. Clicking the

icon will disable all add-on content.

Enable/disable per folder

Add-on content can be enabled or disabled on a per-folder basis.
Clicking the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure enables all add-on contents in the currently selected folder. Clicking the

icon disables all add-on contents in the currently selected folder.

Expand/collapse the entire folder tree

You can expand or collapse the entire folder tree at once.
Clicking the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure will expand the entire folder tree. Clicking the

icon in the middle will collapse the entire folder tree.
Clicking the

icon will expand only the folders that contain currently enabled add-on content.

Expand/collapse the selected folder

You can expand or collapse the folder tree of the currently selected folder at once.
In the part indicated by the arrow in this figure, clicking the

icon will expand the folder tree of the selected folder. Clicking the

icon will collapse the folder tree of the selected folder. Clicking the

icon will expand the selected folder one level.
And clicking on the

icon will expand it down to the folder level so that all folders are visible. If there are any folders that were expanded down to the add-on content list below them, they will be collapsed instead.

One-touch filter

You can use the filter function to filter out currently active add-on content, currently inactive add-on content, and potentially duplicate add-on content.
In the area indicated by the arrow in this figure, clicking the

icon sets a filter to extract enabled add-on content. Clicking the

icon sets a filter to extract disabled add-on content. And clicking the

icon sets a filter to extract add-on content with the same folder name.
Once you have set the filter, you can use the "Expand/collapse the entire folder tree" operation described above to list only the relevant add-on content.
And click the

icon to reset the filters.

Persistent feature: Specify add-on contents should always be active

You can set the "Persistent" flag for add-on content that you want to be always enabled, and then enable all add-on content with that flag in one go with a single touch. For example, even if you get confused by editing the enable/disable states of add-on content in a complicated way using Presets (described below) , you can enable the add-on content you need with one touch.

Turn the "Persistent" flag on/off

On the add-on content list screen on the left of the screen, drag the scroll bar at the bottom left or right until the "Persistent" column appears. Each time you click the circle here, you can turn the "Persistent" flag for that add-on content on/off.

Controlling "Persistent" add-on content

Clicking the

icon in the part of this fugure indicated by the arrow will enable add-on content that has the Persistent flag set. The enabled/disabled state of add-on content that does not have the flag set will not change.
Clicking the

icon will disable all add-on content that does not have the flag set.

Presets feature: Save and restore enabled/disabled states

The Presets feature allows you to name and save the current enabled/disabled state and restore the enabled/disabled state from there. There are two ways to restore the enabled/disabled state: overwriting and restoring all enabled/disabled states, or restoring only the add-on content that you have enabled. If you create multiple Presets for different flying locations and situations, you can always enable the add-on content you need.
For example, you can save your favorite aircrafts, scenerys around your departure point (country), and scenerys around your destination (country) as separate presets, and then select only the add-on content available for these presets, allowing you to quickly enable only the minimum amount of add-on content you need.

Save the current enabled/disabled state as a name

Click the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure. Alternatively, select [Presets]-[Create new preset from current selection] from the menu.

A dialog box like the one on the right will then be displayed. Enter the name you want to give to the preset and click [OK]. A preset will then be created that saves the current enabled/disabled state.
For example, by adding a sequential number such as "01_" or "02_" before the name, you can control the order in which they are displayed on the Presets selection screen (described below).

Creating a New Preset

You can prepare new empty Presets and freely specify the enabled/disabled states from scratch and save them.

Click the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure. Alternatively, select [Presets]-[Create new empty preset] from the menu.

You will then see a dialog box like this. Enter the name you want to give to the Presets and click [OK].
For example, by adding a sequential number such as "01_" or "02_" before the name, you can control the order in which they are displayed on the Presets selection screen (described below).

You'll then see a screen like this. All add-on content is disabled, so select the add-on content you want to enable. Once you've made your selections, click [OK] at the bottom right of the screen. A Preset will then be generated, saving the specified enable/disable state.

Restore enable/disable states from saved Presets

Select the Presets you want to enable from the drop-down list at the bottom left of the screen. Then select and click one of the buttons to the right of the drop-down list.
Clicking [

Apply selected preset(s)] will set all enable/disable states according to the selected Presets.
Clicking [

Apply selected preset(s) (cumuiative)] will set the add-on content that is enabled in the selected Presets to enabled. Add-on content that was originally enabled will remain enabled. You can select add-on content by logical sum (OR condition) of multiple Presets.
Clicking [

Disable addons included in the selected preset(s)] will disable the add-on content that is enabled in the selected presets.
If you click [

Save the currently selected preset] on the right side of the button row, the contents of the selected presets will be overwritten with the current enabled/disabled state.

Alternatively, click the

icon indicated by the arrow in this figure. Alternatively, select [Presets]-[Manage/Apply presets] from the menu.

You will then see a screen like this. It shows a list of the presets you have created.
You can change the name of a preset by clicking [Rename] in the Command field. You can delete a preset by clicking [Delete]. You can edit a preset by clicking [Edit]. This will take you to the "Creating a New Preset" screen described above, where you can change the enabled/disabled status.

From the list of presets, select the preset you want to enable. Then select and click one of the buttons at the bottom of the screen.
Clicking [

Apply selected preset(s)] will set all enable/disable states according to the selected Presets.
Clicking [

Apply selected preset(s) (cumuiative)] will set the add-on content that is enabled in the selected Presets to enabled. Add-on content that was originally enabled will remain enabled. You can select add-on content by logical sum (OR condition) of multiple Presets.
Clicking [

Disable addons included in the selected preset(s)] will disable the add-on content that is enabled in the selected presets.
If you check the "Automatically select..." checkbox at the bottom left of the screen, new add-on content contained in the folder you have specified as enabled will be automatically enabled when you save the presets.

Click the [History] tab to view the operation history of the presets on this screen.

Launch MSFS2024/2020 from MSFS Addons Linker

You can launch MSFS2024/2020 from MSFS Addons Linker. To do this, you must specify the type of MSFS you own in the "Choose your FS version" field on the settings screen, once only. You can specify the MS Store version, the Steam version, or any executable file. If you select an option with "(fast launch)" attached, the splash screen will be skipped when launching MSFS.
To open the settings screen, click the

(Settings) icon or select [Tools]-[Options] from the menu.

Once you've finished the settings, try starting up MSFS. Click on the

icon indicated by the arrow in the image on the right.

A dialog box like the one on the right will appear. Clicking [Yes] will start MSFS.

At the same time, a dialog box like this will appear. Click [OK] to close the dialog box.

Find add-on content on the map

You can search for location-based add-on content on a map.
To open this screen, click the

icon or select [Tools]-[Addons map] from the menu.
You can move, zoom in and out of the map with the mouse. Enabled add-on content is indicated with a

mark, and disabled add-on content is indicated with a

mark. Clicking the mark will display detailed information about the add-on content in the list at the bottom of the screen.

You can configure various settings in the panel at the bottom right of the screen.
In the Options section, you can select the map type and display the label (name) of the add-on content on the map. You can also display the flight plan.
If you turn on "Connection On" in the Simulator connection column, you can import information from the running MSFS into the map.
The "Move Altitude" field allows you to force a change in altitude for the aircraft you are piloting in MSFS.
Check the "Show aircraft" box to display the aircraft's current location and direction on the map.
Checking the "Follow aircraft" box will keep the map centered on the aircraft's current position.

View add-on content in list format

You can view all add-on content in a list format (Grid view). You can see detailed information such as capacity, date, and storage folder at a glance.
To open this screen, click the

icon or select [Tools] - [Addons grid view] from the menu.

You can see a list of aircraft liveries by selecting [Tools]-[Liveries browser] from the menu.

You can also view a list of thumbnails for the add-on content by clicking the

icon or selecting [Tools]-[Thumnails gallery] from the menu.
When a developer develops add-on content, the image set in the "Content Manager Thumnail" field in the Inspector screen by the MSFS SDK is displayed.

How to create a project for MSFS add-on content

If you click "Groups Filter" on the screen above, you will see a screen like this figure. You can select the add-on content to display by folder.

Check for airport overlaps by ICAO code

You can check whether the airport add-on content is duplicated using ICAO code. MSFS official airports are also subject to the duplicate check.

From the menu, select [Tools]-[Scan ICAO / Check for duplicates].

You'll then see a screen like this. Clicking the [Start check] button will scan the add-on content folder and list any duplicate airports.

Check for duplicate files in add-on content

You can check whether files with the same name exist in multiple add-on content folders. If the same 3D model, texture, etc. exists in multiple add-on contents, they will be listed. This is a function mainly intended for add-on content developers.

Select [Tools]-[Check Addons] from the menu.

You will then see a screen like this. Clicking the [Start addons check] button will scan the add-on content folder and list duplicate files.
If there are duplicate files, the file name will be listed along with which add-on content the file exists in.