Background Applications

Background Applications

Estimated Lesson Time: 30 minutes

Lesson Overview

Welcome to Lesson 6 of Module 2.

In this lesson, we’re going to look at one of the most common hidden causes of stutters, slow loading, and inconsistent performance in Microsoft Flight Simulator:

Background applications.

A lot of simmers focus only on graphics settings, but sometimes the problem is not inside the simulator. Sometimes the problem is everything else running behind it.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is already demanding on your CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and internet connection. If other programs are using those same resources in the background, the simulator may not get the smooth, consistent access it needs.

The goal of this lesson is not to close every single program or turn Windows into a barebones system. The goal is to understand which background applications matter, how to identify them, and how to reduce unnecessary load before launching MSFS.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will understand:

  • Why background applications affect simulator performance.
  • How Discord, Chrome, RGB software, Steam, OneDrive, Windows Update, antivirus tools, and monitoring software can use resources.
  • How startup programs affect your PC before MSFS even launches.
  • How to use Task Manager properly.
  • What CPU usage, RAM usage, Disk usage, and Network usage mean.
  • How to create a clean “pre-flight” background app routine before launching MSFS.

1. Why Background Applications Matter

Every application running on your computer uses resources.

Some use a tiny amount.

Some use a lot.

Microsoft Flight Simulator needs consistent access to:

  • CPU power
  • RAM
  • GPU resources
  • Disk speed
  • Internet bandwidth

If another program suddenly starts using one of these resources, MSFS can stutter.

For example:

  • OneDrive starts syncing.
  • Windows Update downloads in the background.
  • Chrome has 20 tabs open.
  • Discord overlay is active.
  • Antivirus begins scanning.
  • Steam starts updating another game.
  • RGB software has multiple services running.

Each of these may seem small on its own, but together they can create unnecessary background load.

2. CPU Usage Explained

The CPU handles instructions and calculations.

In MSFS, the CPU is already busy with:

  • Aircraft systems
  • AI traffic
  • Terrain calculations
  • Glass cockpit displays
  • Weather
  • Airport activity

If background apps also demand CPU time, the simulator may become Main Thread limited more easily.

High background CPU usage can cause:

  • Lower FPS
  • Frame time spikes
  • Micro-stutters
  • Longer loading
  • Slower menu navigation

In Task Manager, CPU usage shows how much of your processor is currently being used.

Before launching MSFS, ideally your desktop should be calm and quiet, with low CPU activity when idle.

3. RAM Usage Explained

RAM is short-term memory.

MSFS uses RAM to hold:

  • Scenery data
  • Aircraft data
  • Terrain information
  • Add-on files
  • Weather data
  • Textures before they are processed

If background applications are using too much RAM, there is less available for the simulator.

When RAM becomes full, Windows may use the storage drive as temporary memory. This is much slower than real RAM and can cause stutters.

Common RAM-heavy apps include:

  • Chrome
  • Edge
  • Discord
  • Adobe apps
  • Video editors
  • Multiple game launchers
  • Large background utilities

For MSFS, 32GB is a strong target for modern setups, but even with 32GB, too many background apps can still create unnecessary pressure.

4. Disk Usage Explained

Disk usage shows how much your storage drive is being read from or written to.

MSFS constantly reads data from storage, especially when loading:

  • Airports
  • Aircraft
  • Scenery
  • World updates
  • Community folder add-ons

If another program is heavily using the disk at the same time, MSFS may have to wait.

High disk usage can cause:

  • Slow loading
  • Stutters
  • Delayed scenery loading
  • Freezes during scenery-heavy areas

Common causes of background disk usage include:

  • Windows Update
  • Antivirus scans
  • OneDrive syncing
  • Steam downloads
  • Large file transfers
  • Game updates

5. Network Usage Explained

MSFS streams a lot of data from the internet, including:

  • Photogrammetry
  • Bing world data
  • Live weather
  • Live traffic
  • Marketplace content
  • Multiplayer data

If other applications are using your internet connection heavily, MSFS may struggle to stream scenery smoothly.

High background network usage can cause:

  • Blurry scenery
  • Delayed photogrammetry loading
  • Scenery pop-in
  • Stutters in streamed areas
  • Slow marketplace downloads

Common network-heavy apps include:

  • Steam
  • Xbox app
  • OneDrive
  • Dropbox
  • Google Drive
  • Windows Update
  • YouTube or Netflix in a browser
  • Discord streaming

6. Discord

Discord is very common among simmers.

It is useful for:

  • Community chat
  • Voice calls
  • Group flights
  • Support sessions
  • Streaming

However, Discord can also use:

  • CPU
  • RAM
  • Network bandwidth
  • GPU acceleration
  • Overlay resources

The Discord overlay can sometimes cause issues in games, depending on the system.

For MSFS, consider:

  • Closing Discord if not needed.
  • Disabling the in-game overlay.
  • Avoiding screen sharing while flying unless necessary.
  • Keeping Discord open only if using voice for a group flight.

Discord is not bad. It just needs to be used intentionally.

7. Chrome / Browser Tabs

Web browsers can be surprisingly heavy.

Chrome, Edge, and other browsers may use a lot of RAM, especially with many tabs open.

Common tabs that use resources:

  • YouTube
  • Twitch
  • Flight tracking maps
  • SimBrief
  • Navigraph Charts
  • Weather radar
  • Email
  • Social media
  • Shopping sites

Some browser tabs keep running even when you are not actively looking at them.

Before launching MSFS, close unnecessary tabs.

Keep only what you need, such as:

  • SimBrief
  • Navigraph
  • Charts
  • VATSIM tools if required

8. RGB Software

RGB software controls lighting for keyboards, mice, fans, RAM, motherboards, and cases.

Examples include:

  • Corsair iCUE
  • ASUS Armoury Crate
  • MSI Center
  • Gigabyte Control Center
  • Razer Synapse
  • Logitech G HUB

These tools can run multiple background services.

Some are lightweight.

Others can be surprisingly heavy or unstable.

They may use:

  • CPU
  • RAM
  • USB polling
  • Background services

If you experience stutters and cannot find the cause, temporarily closing RGB software can be a useful test.

You do not need to uninstall it immediately. Just test whether closing it improves smoothness.

9. Steam

Steam is often running in the background, especially for users who own MSFS through Steam.

Steam can use resources for:

  • Game updates
  • Shader caching
  • Friends list
  • Chat
  • Overlay
  • Downloads
  • Cloud saves

Before launching MSFS, check whether Steam is downloading or updating anything.

A background Steam download can use disk and network resources heavily.

Recommendations:

  • Pause downloads before flying.
  • Disable auto-updates during flights if needed.
  • Consider disabling Steam overlay if troubleshooting.
  • Keep Steam open if required to launch MSFS.

10. OneDrive

OneDrive syncs files between your PC and Microsoft cloud storage.

This is useful for documents and backups, but it can create background activity.

OneDrive may use:

  • Network bandwidth
  • Disk usage
  • CPU
  • RAM

If OneDrive begins syncing large files while you are flying, it can contribute to stutters or network delays.

Before flying:

  • Check OneDrive sync status.
  • Pause syncing if necessary.
  • Avoid placing large simulator folders inside OneDrive synced locations.

Important: Do not randomly delete OneDrive folders unless you understand what is synced locally and what is stored online.

11. Windows Update

Windows Update can download and install updates in the background.

This can use:

  • CPU
  • Disk
  • Network
  • RAM

During a flight, this may cause sudden performance drops.

Before launching MSFS:

  • Check Windows Update.
  • Install updates before flying if required.
  • Restart the PC after major updates.
  • Avoid beginning long flights while Windows is preparing updates.

A fully updated and restarted PC is often smoother than one trying to update silently in the background.

12. Antivirus Software

Antivirus software protects your PC, but real-time scanning can sometimes affect performance.

This is especially true when MSFS is loading many files from the Community folder.

Antivirus software may scan:

  • Add-ons
  • Aircraft files
  • Scenery files
  • Executables
  • Downloads
  • Temporary files

This can increase disk and CPU usage.

For most users, Microsoft Defender is enough and should remain active.

Advanced users may consider exclusions for trusted simulator folders, but this should only be done carefully and only for folders you trust.

Do not disable antivirus protection completely just to gain performance. Security still matters.

13. Monitoring Software

Monitoring software is useful for optimisation.

Examples include:

  • MSI Afterburner
  • HWiNFO
  • RivaTuner Statistics Server
  • CapFrameX
  • NVIDIA overlay
  • AMD overlay
  • Xbox Game Bar performance widget

These tools help you track:

  • FPS
  • CPU usage
  • GPU usage
  • Temperatures
  • VRAM usage
  • RAM usage
  • Frame times

However, running too many overlays at once can create confusion or even conflicts.

For testing, use one main monitoring setup.

Do not run five overlays at the same time unless you have a specific reason.

14. Startup Programs

Startup programs launch automatically when Windows starts.

Over time, your PC can become cluttered with programs that launch in the background without you noticing.

To check:

Right-click the Taskbar.

Open Task Manager.

Go to Startup Apps.

Look at:

  • App name
  • Status
  • Startup impact

Disable programs you do not need starting with Windows.

This does not uninstall them.

It only stops them from launching automatically.

Good candidates to disable may include:

  • Game launchers you do not always use
  • Printer tools
  • Update assistants
  • RGB apps you do not need immediately
  • Cloud apps you do not use during flights

Be careful not to disable important security or driver-related software unless you understand what it does.

15. Using Task Manager

Task Manager is one of the most important tools for basic optimisation.

To open it:

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

or

Right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.

Go to the Processes tab.

Here you can see:

  • CPU usage
  • Memory usage
  • Disk usage
  • Network usage
  • GPU usage

Click each column heading to sort by highest usage.

This helps you quickly identify what is using resources.

16. What To Look For Before Launching MSFS

Before launching MSFS, check:

CPU usage:

Low and stable when idle.

RAM usage:

Enough free memory available.

Disk usage:

Not stuck at high percentage.

Network usage:

No large downloads or sync activity.

If something is heavily active, wait for it to finish or pause it before starting your flight.

Student Task – Reduce Background Processes Before Launching MSFS

Before your next flight, complete this pre-flight optimisation routine.

Step 1

Restart your PC.

This gives Windows a clean session.

Step 2

Open Task Manager.

Step 3

Check CPU, RAM, Disk, and Network usage.

Step 4

Close unnecessary applications.

Examples:

  • Extra browser tabs
  • Discord if not needed
  • RGB software if troubleshooting
  • Game launchers not required
  • OneDrive sync if active
  • Video editors
  • Screen recorders
  • Download managers

Step 5

Pause downloads and updates.

Check:

  • Steam
  • Xbox app
  • Windows Update
  • OneDrive
  • Browser downloads

Step 6

Launch MSFS.

Step 7

Use your Module 1 baseline route and compare:

  • Average FPS
  • Frame pacing
  • Stutters
  • MainThread or GPU limitation
  • Loading behaviour

Background Application Checklist

Before launching MSFS:

  • Discord closed or overlay disabled if not needed.
  • Browser tabs reduced.
  • Steam downloads paused.
  • OneDrive sync checked.
  • Windows Update checked.
  • Antivirus scan not running.
  • RGB software reviewed.
  • Startup apps reduced.
  • Task Manager checked.
  • CPU usage calm.
  • RAM usage acceptable.
  • Disk usage low.
  • Network usage low.

Lesson Summary

In this lesson, you learnt that background applications can affect Microsoft Flight Simulator performance by competing for the same system resources.

Remember:

  • CPU usage affects frame preparation.
  • RAM usage affects how much data MSFS can keep instantly available.
  • Disk usage affects loading and scenery access.
  • Network usage affects streamed scenery, weather, traffic, and online features.
  • Discord, Chrome, RGB software, Steam, OneDrive, Windows Update, antivirus tools, and monitoring software can all contribute to background load.
  • Task Manager helps you identify what is happening.
  • The goal is not to close everything forever. The goal is to create a clean, stable environment before flying.

A smooth simulator starts before MSFS even opens.
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