Local storage footprint of MSFS 2020

[kalizzi]

For the great majority of members who are ahead of me and already own and use MSFS 2020, I have a question about storage:

 

I am downloading my copy from Microsoft website, it says I need 150 gigs of hard disk space for the installation files to download.  My question is how much a fully deployed, uncompressed, fully featured installation of MSFS 2020 occupies on your hard drive? I am the type who would like to load locally whatever options available so I am talking about the maximum size, with the Premium Deluxe version and 40th Anniversary update? 

 

My FSX folder, for example, takes a horrendous 582 gigs off my 1TB ssd! But I have TONS of add ons.

 

 

 

One can right-click on the MSFS folder and see this through properties. It is to do with planning my storage allocations. Thanks in advance to any respondents.

 

Khalid

[Nels_Anderson]

It's going to vary, because you are not required to install everything. I.e., the world updates with enhanced regional scenery are optional, so you choose whether you want them or not.

 

I just looked and my "official" folder has 220 GB and my "community" folder has 24 GB. I've installed some, but not all, of the world updates and currently only have  2 or 3 payware add-ons and a few freeware sceneries.

[tiger1962]

Here's my installation Khalid, MS Store Premium Deluxe 40th Anniversary edition with all updates and a clinically obese Community folder:

 

 

The clinically obese Community folder on it's own:

 

 

So, according to my calculator, 708GB - 367GB = 341GB. This is why I have a 2TB WD Black SN850X main drive with a 1TB Samsung 870 SSD for the disk image backup!

[grimsel]

The official packages (everything which is free plus some commercial add-ons) use 335 GB, my community folder uses 26 GB.

[kalizzi]

Thank you Nels, Tim, and Grimsel for your inputs. The insight it gave really helped me plan my hardware ahead of MSFS computer build. 

 

Best wishes.

 

Khalid

[terrylawdinn]

I keep all my addons on a separate 2TB SSD and manage them with MSFS Addons Linker - I've got around 1TB so far. This keep the Community Folder under control by utilising the presets and only loading what I need for a particular flight.

The main MSFS is on a partition on my 2TB main drive. Just a note of caution, never let a disc (or partition) get above 80% capacity as Windows needs some headroom to manage the files.

[cianpars]

I bought a 1 TB NVME drive and wish I had bought a 2 TB one.  A year later I bought a 2 TB NVMe drive and now wish I had bought a 4 TB one.

 

If you want to use any addons you need quite a bit of storage.  I have used up 1.7 TB so far.