For official information and support, you can visit the official Microsoft Flight Simulator website or the Microsoft Store [6, 17].
Unlike traditional games with levels or XP, MSFS 2020 is a pure sandbox [1].
The mention of a .zip file highlights a common pain point: the massive installation size. For official information and support, you can visit
It introduced a new checklist system that scales from full manual control for veterans to full assist for beginners [2].
The initial client is small, but the actual game files can range from 120 GB to over 200 GB on a local drive [21]. It introduced a new checklist system that scales
As of late 2024 and 2025, the community has begun transitioning to , which is a standalone sequel [16]. While MSFS 2020 is considered "retired from the front line," it remains fully supported with aircraft and world updates [7]. Interestingly, MSFS 2024 significantly reduces the local footprint (to around 30 GB or less) by streaming almost all assets from the cloud, addressing the very storage concerns associated with large .zip archives of the 2020 version [14].
A major shift from previous versions was the emphasis on "sightseeing" and emotional connection, allowing players to fly over their own homes or recreate personal travel memories [1]. While MSFS 2020 is considered "retired from the
Players often report long update times, sometimes requiring 10-15 GB downloads for regular world updates [8].