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Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is a standalone sequel to Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), released for PC and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2024. These requirements come from Microsoft’s official FAQ and specification table, with Steam’s listing providing additional broadband guidance.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 PC requirements
Microsoft publishes three PC tiers: minimum, recommended, and ideal. The ideal tier is useful for demanding simulator setups, but it is not a guaranteed 4K, VR, or 60fps specification. Microsoft does not assign a universal resolution or frame-rate target to any tier.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended | Ideal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 with latest update | Windows 10 with latest update | Windows 10 with latest update |
| DirectX | DX12 | DX12 | DX12 |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K | AMD Ryzen 7 2700X or Intel Core i7-10700K | AMD Ryzen 9 7900X or Intel Core i7-14700K |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX 5700 or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 | AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 | AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 |
| Dedicated VRAM | 4GB | 8GB | 12GB |
| System RAM | 16GB | 32GB | 64GB |
| Available storage | 50GB | 50GB | 50GB |
Steam additionally lists broadband internet at 10Mbps minimum and 50Mbps recommended. Microsoft’s table is the more complete reference because it includes the ideal tier and explicit VRAM figures. See the Steam requirements listing for the storefront’s network guidance.
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What each requirement tier really means
Minimum: it may run, but expect compromises
A minimum-specification PC can potentially launch and run Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, but “minimum” is a compatibility target—not a promise of smooth performance or high image quality. Expect to reduce graphics settings and possibly resolution, particularly at large airports, in dense cities, or with complex aircraft and traffic.
A system that only meets the minimum also has little headroom for browser tabs, recording software, flight-planning tools, add-ons, or other background applications. If your PC is below the GTX 970/RX 5700 graphics tier or has less than 4GB of dedicated VRAM, it is not a sensible native-PC target.
Recommended: the practical baseline
The recommended tier—32GB of RAM, an RTX 2080/RX 5700 XT-class GPU, and a Ryzen 7 2700X/Core i7-10700K-class CPU—is the more sensible target for a generally enjoyable 1080p setup. That is practical guidance, not an official promise of 60fps. Performance still changes with scenery density, weather, traffic, aircraft complexity, resolution, settings, and simulator updates.
Ideal: for demanding simulator use
The ideal tier is aimed at users who want more headroom for high settings, detailed aircraft, busy airports, demanding scenery, higher resolutions, or several companion applications. It does not guarantee a particular frame rate, 4K performance, or smooth virtual reality. Those uses can require different compromises depending on the specific scenario.
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Which component matters most?
CPU: important at airports and in complex simulations
Flight simulators can become CPU-limited when they must process dense scenery, large airports, high air-traffic levels, multiplayer activity, or complex aircraft systems. That is why Microsoft’s CPU recommendations rise substantially from the Ryzen 5 2600X/Core i7-6800K class at minimum to the Ryzen 7 2700X/Core i7-10700K class at recommended and Ryzen 9 7900X/Core i7-14700K at ideal.
More cores alone do not guarantee higher frame rates. Architecture, per-core performance, thread scheduling, simulator updates, and settings all matter. As a troubleshooting rule, if GPU utilization is low while frame rate remains poor in a dense area, the CPU or simulator main thread may be the limiting factor.
GPU and VRAM: two different measurements
The GPU determines how quickly the system renders frames. VRAM is the graphics card’s dedicated memory, used for textures, terrain, scenery, and other rendering data. Microsoft’s tiers specify 4GB, 8GB, and 12GB of VRAM respectively:
- Minimum: Radeon RX 5700 or GeForce GTX 970 with 4GB VRAM.
- Recommended: Radeon RX 5700 XT or GeForce RTX 2080 with 8GB VRAM.
- Ideal: Radeon RX 7900 XT or GeForce RTX 4080 with 12GB VRAM.
A card with sufficient processing power but too little VRAM may force lower texture or terrain settings and can contribute to stuttering. Conversely, a card with plenty of VRAM is not automatically fast enough. The 12GB figure is Microsoft’s ideal-tier recommendation, not a hard minimum.
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RAM: 32GB is the sensible target
Microsoft lists 16GB of system RAM as minimum, 32GB as recommended, and 64GB as ideal. A 16GB computer may technically qualify, but Windows, browser tabs, streaming software, flight-planning tools, hardware utilities, add-ons, and community tools can quickly consume the available headroom.
For most people buying or upgrading a PC for the simulator, 32GB is the practical target. The 64GB ideal tier is more relevant to heavily customized installations, demanding scenery, several companion programs, or intensive multitasking—not ordinary play.
Storage, internet, and online services
The published storage requirement is 50GB available space. That figure is not necessarily the simulator’s total long-term disk footprint. Updates, rolling-cache data, Marketplace content, community add-ons, shader files, backups, and temporary installation files can need additional room. Do not begin the installation with exactly 50GB free.
Microsoft specifies capacity but not a mandatory drive type. An SSD is nevertheless the sensible choice for installation and general responsiveness.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe internet connection is not only needed for the initial download. The simulator can rely on online services for streamed scenery and world data, live weather, live traffic, multiplayer, account authentication, updates, and Marketplace features. Steam lists 10Mbps broadband as minimum and 50Mbps as recommended, but bandwidth alone does not guarantee a good experience. Latency, packet loss, server conditions, network congestion, and data caps can also matter. Microsoft notes that services and availability can vary by region and change over time.
Does it work on Windows 11?
Yes. Microsoft’s original specification table names Windows 10 with the latest update, while current PC distribution information covers Windows 10 and Windows 11. Keep Windows, DirectX components, the Xbox app where applicable, and graphics drivers updated. The Xbox PC app requires a sufficiently current Windows 10/11 build, including version 22H2 or later according to Microsoft’s PC Game Pass information.
How to check whether your PC qualifies
- Confirm that Windows 10 or Windows 11 is fully updated.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Open the Performance tab and record the exact names shown under CPU, Memory, and GPU.
- Check the GPU’s Dedicated GPU memory, not just its total available graphics memory.
- Confirm that DirectX 12 is supported and that at least 50GB is available, with extra space reserved for updates and content.
- Compare the whole PC with the lowest tier it fully satisfies.
Do not average the results of different parts. A PC with an ideal GPU but a minimum-tier CPU may be CPU-limited, while a system with a strong processor and an older low-VRAM GPU may be graphics-limited.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Laptops, integrated graphics, and mixed hardware
A laptop with the same model number as a desktop GPU may perform differently because of power limits, cooling, mobile configurations, and thermal throttling. Check the complete laptop model or exact mobile GPU designation rather than relying only on labels such as “RTX 4060” or “RTX 4070.” Playing while plugged in and using the manufacturer’s performance mode can also matter, but neither changes the underlying hardware tier.
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Integrated graphics generally are not suitable for the native PC version. Windows may report a large amount of total graphics memory because integrated graphics borrow system RAM, but that does not make the computer equivalent to a dedicated 4GB graphics card.
High-resolution monitors, ultrawide displays, triple-monitor setups, and VR increase the graphics workload. Microsoft’s ideal tier should not be treated as an official 4K or VR guarantee.
What if your PC is below minimum?
Do not assume that a fast internet connection makes a weak PC suitable for local installation. If the computer falls below the minimum tier, consider these alternatives:
- PC Game Pass: It can let you test the PC version before buying it outright, subject to catalog, plan, and regional availability. Catalog contents can change.
- Xbox Cloud Gaming: This can help when local hardware is too weak, but the experience depends on latency, connection stability, servers, display resolution, controller support, and data limits. It is not equivalent to running the simulator locally.
- Xbox Series X|S: Fixed console hardware avoids PC upgrading and configuration, though it offers less flexibility for PC-only add-ons, ultra-high resolutions, and some advanced peripherals.
- PlayStation 5: Microsoft’s current platform guide lists PS5 and PS5 Pro availability. PC requirements do not apply to the console versions.
See Microsoft’s platform comparison guide for current platform and service details.
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Steam versus Microsoft Store and Xbox app
The Steam and Microsoft Store/Xbox versions provide the PC simulator, but storefront choice affects account and ecosystem considerations. Microsoft says an Xbox account is required to launch the Windows PC versions distributed through both the Microsoft Store and Steam. Steam is PC-only, while the Microsoft Store/Xbox version offers greater Xbox/PC ecosystem flexibility.
Existing Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) aircraft and many Marketplace add-ons are supported, but that does not mean every third-party aircraft or add-on will behave identically or carry over without issue. Check the specific developer’s compatibility information before assuming a customized installation will transfer unchanged.
Final verdict
If your PC meets only the minimum specification, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 may run, but plan for reduced settings, lower resolution, and inconsistent performance in demanding locations. A PC around the recommended tier—with 32GB of RAM, a recommended-class CPU, and an 8GB graphics card—is the better general-purpose target. The ideal tier is for users who want more headroom for demanding scenery, complex aircraft, higher resolutions, or heavy multitasking, not a guaranteed frame-rate promise.
When uncertain, compare your exact CPU, dedicated GPU and VRAM, RAM, operating system, storage, and internet connection before buying. PC Game Pass is a useful way to test local compatibility; cloud gaming and consoles are alternatives when an upgrade is not worthwhile.
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