Storage Optimisation
Estimated Lesson Time: 25–35 Minutes
Lesson Overview
In the previous lessons, we’ve optimised Windows, drivers, power plans, background applications and Windows Security.
Now we’re going to optimise one of the most overlooked parts of any Flight Simulator PC:
Storage.
Many people believe storage only affects loading times.
While that’s partly true…
Storage also affects:
- Simulator responsiveness
- Add-on loading
- Scenery streaming
- Marketplace downloads
- World Updates
- Community Folder performance
- Overall Windows responsiveness
A poorly maintained storage drive can contribute to longer loading times and a less responsive experience.
The goal of this lesson is to understand how different storage technologies work, how to keep them healthy and how to ensure Microsoft Flight Simulator is installed on the best drive available.
Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson you will understand:
The differences between HDDs, SSDs and NVMe SSDs.
Why free storage space matters.
What TRIM is and why SSDs use it.
How Disk Cleanup works.
How to monitor storage health.
Where the Community Folder should be stored.
Why installing Microsoft Flight Simulator on the fastest available drive improves the overall experience.
1. Why Storage Matters
Every time you launch Microsoft Flight Simulator…
Your PC begins reading thousands of files.
Examples include:
Aircraft
Airports
Textures
Scenery
Navigation databases
Sound files
Weather files
Add-ons
Configuration files
Unlike many smaller games…
MSFS is constantly reading information during flight.
As you fly…
The simulator continuously loads:
Cities
Roads
Terrain
Photogrammetry
Satellite imagery
Buildings
Trees
Cloud textures
The faster your storage…
The faster Windows can retrieve this information.
Think Of Storage Like A Library
Imagine a huge library.
Your SSD is the librarian.
Microsoft Flight Simulator asks:
“I need this aircraft texture.”
“I need Heathrow Airport.”
“I need today’s weather files.”
“I need these cockpit sounds.”
A fast librarian finds everything almost instantly.
A slow librarian takes much longer.
Exactly the same thing happens inside your PC.
The faster your storage…
The quicker the simulator receives the files it needs.
2. HDD vs SSD vs NVMe SSD
Let’s compare the three most common storage types.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
A Hard Disk Drive stores information on spinning magnetic disks.
Inside the drive are moving parts that physically read data.
Advantages:
- Large storage capacity
- Lower cost per GB
- Good for storing backups, videos and archives
Disadvantages:
- Slow loading
- Mechanical parts wear over time
- Longer Windows startup
- Slower scenery loading
- Slower add-on loading
For Microsoft Flight Simulator, an HDD is generally not recommended as the installation drive because it can significantly increase loading times.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
A Solid State Drive has no moving parts.
Instead, it stores information electronically.
Advantages:
- Much faster than HDDs
- Faster loading
- More responsive Windows experience
- Faster aircraft loading
- Faster airport loading
- More reliable due to no moving parts
This is considered the minimum recommended storage type for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
NVMe SSD
An NVMe SSD is the fastest commonly available consumer storage.
Unlike SATA SSDs, NVMe drives connect directly through the PCI Express interface, allowing much higher data transfer speeds.
Advantages:
- Extremely fast loading
- Excellent responsiveness
- Faster scenery loading
- Faster updates
- Better performance when handling large numbers of files
Although an NVMe drive won’t automatically increase FPS, it can make the simulator feel more responsive by reducing waiting times and helping large amounts of data load efficiently.
Storage Comparison
Think of travelling to Heathrow Airport.
HDD
Walking.
SSD
Driving.
NVMe SSD
Travelling on a high-speed train.
You’ll arrive at the same destination…
But some methods get you there much faster.
3. Free Storage Space
One of the simplest ways to keep your PC healthy is to avoid filling your storage drive completely.
Every drive performs best when it has some free space available.
If a drive becomes almost full…
Windows has less room to manage temporary files and other background operations.
This can lead to:
- Slower updates
- Longer installations
- Reduced responsiveness
- Less room for temporary files
Recommended Free Space
A practical guideline is to leave around 10–20% of the drive free, especially for the drive where Windows or Microsoft Flight Simulator is installed.
This isn’t a strict rule, but it helps maintain healthy performance and gives Windows room to work efficiently.
4. What Is TRIM?
TRIM is a command used by SSDs.
Unlike HDDs…
SSDs need to know which storage blocks are no longer being used.
TRIM tells the SSD:
“These files have been deleted.”
“This space is now available.”
The SSD can then prepare that storage area for future use.
Why TRIM Matters
Without TRIM…
The SSD has to perform additional work when writing new files.
Over time…
This can reduce write performance.
Fortunately…
Windows automatically schedules TRIM for supported SSDs.
Most users do not need to configure it manually.
Important Note
Do not manually defragment SSDs.
Traditional defragmentation was designed for HDDs.
Windows recognises SSDs and performs the appropriate optimisation process automatically.
5. Disk Cleanup
As you use Windows…
Temporary files build up.
Examples include:
Windows Update files
Installation logs
Recycle Bin contents
Temporary internet files
Delivery Optimisation files
Crash reports
These files can occupy valuable storage space.
Why Clean Them?
Disk Cleanup can:
Free storage space.
Remove unnecessary files.
Reduce clutter.
Improve organisation.
While Disk Cleanup doesn’t directly increase FPS, it helps keep Windows running efficiently.
How To Use Disk Cleanup
Open the Start Menu.
Search:
Disk Cleanup
Select your Windows drive.
Allow Windows to scan.
Review the categories.
Choose the items you wish to remove.
Click:
OK
Be careful not to delete files you still need.
6. Storage Health
Like every component in your PC…
Storage devices have a lifespan.
Although SSDs are very reliable…
They don’t last forever.
Windows and manufacturer utilities can help monitor storage health.
Signs Of A Healthy Drive
- Fast loading
- No unusual noises (for HDDs)
- No read/write errors
- Stable file transfers
- Good SMART health status
Warning Signs
- Frequent file corruption
- Slow loading
- Random freezes
- Windows errors
- Unusual clicking sounds from HDDs
- Repeated read/write failures
If you notice these symptoms, back up important files and investigate the drive’s health.
Monitoring Storage Health
Many SSD manufacturers provide software that can report:
- Drive health
- Temperature
- Firmware version
- Remaining lifespan
Windows also includes tools that can provide basic health information.
7. Community Folder Location
The Community Folder is where most third-party add-ons are stored.
Examples include:
Aircraft
Liveries
Airports
Utilities
Scenery
Toolbar add-ons
Every time Microsoft Flight Simulator starts…
It reads these files.
If the Community Folder is stored on a slow drive…
Loading may take longer.
Best Practice
Store the Community Folder on the same fast SSD or NVMe drive as Microsoft Flight Simulator whenever practical.
This keeps loading consistent and avoids unnecessary delays.
If you have a very large collection of add-ons, keep the folder organised and remove anything you no longer use.
A smaller, well-managed Community Folder is often easier to maintain and troubleshoot.
8. Installing Microsoft Flight Simulator On The Fastest Available Drive
Where possible, install Microsoft Flight Simulator on your fastest storage device.
Priority order:
- NVMe SSD
- SATA SSD
- HDD
Installing MSFS on an HDD won’t necessarily reduce your FPS once everything is loaded, but it can significantly increase loading times and may make scenery and add-on loading feel less responsive.
9. Organising Your Simulator
Good organisation makes future optimisation easier.
Consider organising:
Community Folder
Aircraft
Liveries
Charts
Flight Plans
Downloads
Backups
Keeping everything tidy makes it easier to find problems and manage your simulator over time.
Student Exercise
Today we’re going to review your storage.
Step 1
Open:
Settings → System → Storage
Record:
- Windows drive capacity
- Free space
- Storage type (HDD, SSD or NVMe SSD)
Step 2
Confirm where Microsoft Flight Simulator is installed.
Ask yourself:
Is it installed on the fastest drive available?
Step 3
Open Disk Cleanup.
Review temporary files.
Remove only files you no longer need.
Step 4
Check whether your Community Folder is located on a fast drive.
If appropriate, note its location for future reference.
Step 5
Review your storage health using Windows or your SSD manufacturer’s software.
Record:
- Drive health
- Temperature (if available)
- Firmware version (if available)
Step 6
Ensure your Windows drive has sufficient free space.
If storage is running low:
- Remove unnecessary files.
- Uninstall unused applications.
- Archive old downloads or videos to another drive.
Student Checklist
Storage type identified.
MSFS installation drive confirmed.
Community Folder location checked.
Free storage space reviewed.
Disk Cleanup completed.
SSD optimisation (TRIM) left under Windows management.
Storage health reviewed.
Unused files removed.
Lesson Summary
Congratulations.
You now understand how storage affects Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Remember:
- HDDs are best suited to archives and backups rather than active simulator installations.
- SSDs offer a much faster and more responsive experience than HDDs.
- NVMe SSDs provide the highest performance for modern gaming systems.
- Keeping free space available helps Windows and your storage drive operate efficiently.
- Windows automatically manages TRIM for SSDs—there is usually no need to intervene manually.
- Disk Cleanup is a useful maintenance tool for removing unnecessary temporary files.
- Regularly checking storage health can help you identify problems before they become serious.
- Installing Microsoft Flight Simulator and its Community Folder on the fastest practical drive improves loading times and overall responsiveness.
Knowledge Check
- What is the main difference between an HDD, an SSD and an NVMe SSD?
- Why is free storage space important for system performance?
- What is TRIM, and why is it used with SSDs?
- Why should you avoid manually defragmenting an SSD?
- What types of files can Disk Cleanup remove?
- Why is the location of the Community Folder important?
- Which type of drive is generally the best choice for installing Microsoft Flight Simulator?
- Does a faster drive automatically increase FPS, or does it mainly improve loading times and responsiveness?