Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s Technical Alpha is over. Microsoft announced the limited test on October 8, 2024, and it ran from October 11 through October 14 on Windows PC. It did not require a preorder, but invitations were limited, and signing up never guaranteed access.
This was a Microsoft Store technical test—not a Steam alpha, Xbox console preview, open beta, or complete demo. Its main purpose was to validate online services ahead of the simulator’s November 19, 2024 launch.
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What the Technical Alpha was testing
Microsoft designed the alpha primarily to collect telemetry and identify serious problems in the services powering the new simulator. The test covered content streaming, authentication, player inventory, data storage, Career mode, challenges and missions, world and world-map services, multiplayer services, and weather.
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That focus matters. The alpha was not intended to provide a representative review of the finished game or a broad test of every new feature. Microsoft later confirmed that the October test gathered automatic telemetry from several of these online systems in preparation for launch. See the October 17, 2024 development update.
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What participants could play
The build contained only a narrow selection of the eventual simulator.
| Available in limited form | Unavailable |
|---|---|
| Free Flight | Marketplace |
| Career content | Training and tutorials |
| Challenges | Other activities |
| Discovery content | Full aircraft roster |
| A handful of aircraft | Aircraft configurator |
| Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020-owned content |
VR, online multiplayer, and achievements were also unavailable. English was the only supported language. Consequently, alpha footage should be treated as historical footage from an incomplete build—not evidence of final performance, loading times, graphics quality, or feature completeness.
Who could apply?
Anyone could submit an application, and buying the game in advance was not required. Applicants needed to be Windows PC users and were asked to provide their computer specifications, including a DxDiag report. Microsoft warned that spaces were limited and that meeting the requirements or completing the signup form did not guarantee an invitation.
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The test was distributed through the Microsoft Store version for Windows PC. Microsoft did not announce it as a Steam alpha or an Xbox console test. The full game later became available through both Microsoft/Xbox channels and Steam, but that later availability should not be confused with the alpha’s distribution method.
How installation worked during the test
The following were the historical installation steps used when the alpha was live. They no longer provide access because the test ended on October 14, 2024.
- Sign in to Windows with the Xbox account used for the alpha signup.
- Install or open the Xbox Insider Hub app.
- Open Previews and select MSFS 2024 Tech Alpha.
- Select Join and wait for registration to finish.
- Select Show in store.
- On the Microsoft Store page, select Get to begin installation.
The Xbox account in Xbox Insider Hub had to match the account used during signup. If the Store page appeared blank, Microsoft advised checking that the same account was signed in to the Microsoft Store. Some participants were also told to wait about 10 minutes and retry after a redirect or installation error.
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Known problems and limitations
As a pre-release infrastructure test, the alpha came with substantial caveats:
- Crashes, bugs, and severe issues were expected.
- Initial loading could take much longer than expected, and a progress bar might not appear while loading continued.
- Controller input could disappear after switching between activities; restarting the simulator was the stated workaround.
- Gamepad and mouse-and-keyboard controls worked by default, while many yokes, sticks, throttles, pedals, and other peripherals lacked default mappings and generally required custom setup.
- VR and online multiplayer were disabled.
- Achievements were disabled, and English was the only available language.
These limitations made the alpha potentially useful to enthusiasts interested in service testing, but a poor fit for anyone seeking a polished Career preview, a conventional performance benchmark, or a complete flight-simulation experience.
When did the alpha end?
The test ran from October 11 through October 14, 2024, ending at 12:00 a.m. PDT on October 14 (07:00 UTC). Microsoft’s live-test announcement confirmed the access window and its restrictions.
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- 【Setup Guide for Microsoft Flight Simulator】For PXN 2113 flight sim joystick pc setup in Microsoft Flight Simulation,please refer to below images and follow below steps: Step 1: Launch the game and click"MENU.FLOWBAR_ OPTIONS",select“MENU.OPTIONS CONTROLS". Step 2: Except the keyboard and mouse mode, also have joystick mode in game.Please click“GENERIC USB JOYSTICK" to map the key. (Note:The joystick should be plugged into PC before this setting). Step 3: For function settings,take “INPUT.KEY_ _SWITCH_ CAMERA"as an example,scroll down to select“Select an input",click No.12 button,finally click“VALIDATE”to save.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 launched on November 19, 2024. The alpha’s data helped Microsoft prepare the online infrastructure for release, but the test was not a complete preview of the final product. The released game is broader, with a larger aircraft selection and more Career, activity, world-streaming, multiplayer, and airport content than the alpha exposed.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What PC requirements were involved?
Microsoft requested applicants’ specifications through DxDiag and directed them to the simulator’s PC requirements. However, the announcement did not publish a complete, separate alpha requirements table, so the released game’s requirements should not be presented as proven requirements for the historical test.
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- Windows 10 64-bit
- Ryzen 5 2600X or Intel Core i7-6800K
- 16 GB RAM
- Radeon RX 5700 or GeForce GTX 970
- DirectX 12
- 50 GB storage
- 10 Mbps network connection
Its recommended specifications are Windows 10 64-bit, a Ryzen 7 2700X or Core i7-10700K, 32 GB RAM, a Radeon RX 5700 XT or RTX 2080, DirectX 12, 50 GB storage, and a 50 Mbps network connection. These figures describe the released Steam product, not a separately verified alpha build.
What can you do now?
You cannot apply for or install the Technical Alpha today. Readers interested in the finished simulator can instead check the current Steam version or the Microsoft/Xbox version. Xbox’s product page also lists cloud-play availability through eligible Game Pass plans, though availability and plan terms can vary by region and change over time.
Old alpha videos can still show what Microsoft chose to test in October 2024, but they should not be used as current installation instructions, hardware guidance, or a verdict on the released game. The technical alpha was temporary, selective, Windows Store-only, and intentionally incomplete.
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