Rolling Cache & Simulator Storage Optimisation

Estimated Lesson Time: 45–60 Minutes

Lesson Overview

Throughout this course, we’ve focused on optimising your PC, graphics settings and add-ons. In this lesson, we’re going to explore another important area that can influence the overall Flight Simulator experience:

Storage performance and Rolling Cache.

Microsoft Flight Simulator constantly streams large amounts of scenery and world data while you fly.

Every second, the simulator downloads and processes:

• Terrain
• Buildings
• Roads
• Trees
• Photogrammetry
• Satellite imagery

To improve efficiency, the simulator uses different types of caching.

Understanding how these systems work allows you to make informed decisions about storage configuration, loading times and simulator performance.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll understand exactly what Rolling Cache does, when it can be beneficial and when it may be better to disable it.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will understand:

What Rolling Cache is.

How terrain streaming works.

Photogrammetry caching.

SSD vs HDD performance.

Cache size recommendations.

When Rolling Cache should be enabled.

When it should be disabled.

Cache corruption.

Community Folder storage.

Storage optimisation.

Windows Page File (high-level overview).

What Is Rolling Cache?

Rolling Cache is a storage feature built into Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Its purpose is to temporarily store scenery data that has already been downloaded from Microsoft’s servers.

Instead of downloading the same scenery repeatedly, the simulator can read it directly from your storage drive if it is still available in the cache.

Think of Rolling Cache as a temporary storage area for scenery that you’ve recently visited.

Why Does Microsoft Flight Simulator Use It?

Without Rolling Cache:

Every time you revisit an area, the simulator may need to download much of the scenery again.

With Rolling Cache enabled:

Previously downloaded scenery can often be loaded from your local storage instead, reducing repeated downloads.

This can improve efficiency in some situations, particularly if you regularly fly in the same locations.

How Terrain Streaming Works

Microsoft Flight Simulator streams large amounts of scenery while you fly.

Examples include:

• Terrain textures.
• Satellite imagery.
• Buildings.
• Roads.
• Rivers.
• Vegetation.
• Airport surroundings.

As your aircraft moves, new scenery is streamed ahead while scenery behind you is gradually discarded from memory.

This continuous process allows the simulator to recreate the entire world without storing everything permanently on your PC.

Photogrammetry Caching

Photogrammetry cities contain highly detailed 3D scans of real-world locations.

Examples include:

• London.
• New York.
• Paris.
• Tokyo.

These areas require significantly more streamed data than standard scenery.

When Rolling Cache is enabled, recently visited photogrammetry data may be stored locally, reducing repeated downloads if you return to the same area.

However, if you rarely revisit the same locations, the benefit may be minimal.

SSD vs HDD Performance

The type of storage you use has a major influence on loading times and scenery streaming.

Hard Disk Drives (HDD)

Traditional mechanical hard drives rely on spinning platters and moving read/write heads.

Advantages:

• Lower cost.
• Larger capacities.

Disadvantages:

• Much slower read and write speeds.
• Longer loading times.
• Slower scenery access.
• More susceptible to delays when large amounts of data are requested.

For modern Flight Simulator installations, HDDs are generally not recommended unless used for archive storage.

Solid State Drives (SSD)

SSDs have no moving parts and provide much faster access to data.

Advantages:

• Faster loading.
• Reduced waiting times.
• Improved scenery access.
• Greater responsiveness.

For most users, an SSD provides a noticeable improvement over an HDD.

NVMe SSDs

NVMe drives connect directly through the PCIe interface and offer the highest storage performance available to most desktop PCs.

Advantages:

• Extremely fast read and write speeds.
• Very low latency.
• Faster scenery loading.
• Reduced loading screens.
• Better handling of large scenery files.

Installing Microsoft Flight Simulator on an NVMe SSD is recommended whenever possible.

Cache Size Recommendations

Rolling Cache allows you to choose how much storage is reserved.

There is no universal “best” size.

The ideal size depends on:

• Available storage.
• Flying habits.
• Internet connection.
• Frequency of revisiting the same areas.

A larger cache allows more scenery to be stored locally, while a smaller cache uses less disk space.

Choose a size appropriate for your available storage rather than simply selecting the largest value.

When Should You Enable Rolling Cache?

Rolling Cache may be beneficial if:

• You frequently fly around the same airports.
• You revisit the same cities.
• Your internet connection is slower or less consistent.
• You want to reduce repeated scenery downloads.

In these situations, locally cached scenery may reduce unnecessary network activity.

When Should You Disable Rolling Cache?

Rolling Cache may be worth testing in the following situations:

• You rarely fly in the same location twice.
• You have an extremely fast internet connection.
• You’re troubleshooting scenery loading issues.
• You suspect the cache has become corrupted.

Disabling Rolling Cache does not automatically improve FPS, but it removes one variable from the troubleshooting process.

The best approach is to test both configurations using your benchmark flight.

Clearing Rolling Cache

Over time, the cache may contain outdated or no longer relevant scenery data.

Clearing the cache removes this temporary data and allows the simulator to build a fresh cache during future flights.

You may consider clearing Rolling Cache after:

• Major Simulator Updates.
• Significant World Updates.
• Large scenery changes.
• Persistent scenery streaming problems.

Remember that the first flight after clearing the cache may involve additional downloading as the cache rebuilds.

Cache Corruption

Although uncommon, cached data can occasionally become outdated or inconsistent after major updates.

Symptoms may include:

• Missing scenery.
• Visual anomalies.
• Streaming inconsistencies.

If you suspect cache-related issues, clearing and rebuilding the cache is a sensible troubleshooting step before making more significant changes.

World Updates

Microsoft regularly releases World Updates containing:

• Improved terrain.
• New photogrammetry.
• Updated airports.
• Enhanced landmarks.

After installing a World Update, previously cached scenery may no longer reflect the latest version.

Allowing the simulator to rebuild its cache ensures that newer scenery data can be downloaded and stored.

Community Folder Storage

Your Community Folder should ideally be stored on the fastest available drive.

Large airports, aircraft and scenery packages often contain thousands of files.

Installing them on an SSD or NVMe drive generally provides faster loading than storing them on a traditional HDD.

Whenever possible:

• Install Microsoft Flight Simulator on an SSD or NVMe SSD.
• Keep the Community Folder on the same fast drive if space allows.

SSD Free Space

Storage performance is not only about drive speed.

Drives also require free space to operate efficiently.

If an SSD is almost full, you may experience:

• Reduced write performance.
• Longer installation times.
• Less room for updates and temporary files.

As a general guideline, keeping a reasonable amount of free space available helps maintain healthy drive performance.

Storage Optimisation

Good storage management includes:

• Removing unused files.
• Uninstalling old add-ons.
• Deleting unnecessary temporary downloads.
• Keeping the Community Folder organised.
• Using fast storage for the simulator and active add-ons.

A tidy storage setup is easier to maintain and troubleshoot.

Download Cache

When downloading simulator updates, World Updates or Marketplace content, temporary download files may be created.

Normally these are removed automatically, but if downloads become stuck or repeatedly fail, reviewing temporary download data may help resolve the issue.

Windows Page File (Overview)

The Windows Page File is virtual memory stored on your storage drive.

If your system runs low on physical RAM, Windows can temporarily move some data to the page file.

This helps prevent applications from running out of memory, but it is much slower than accessing data directly from RAM.

For most users:

• Leave the Page File managed automatically by Windows.
• Avoid disabling it entirely unless you fully understand the implications.

We’ll cover memory optimisation in greater detail in later modules where appropriate.

Common Myths

Myth 1

“Rolling Cache always improves FPS.”

False.

Rolling Cache mainly affects scenery loading and repeated downloads, not the simulator’s rendering performance.

Myth 2

“Everyone should disable Rolling Cache.”

False.

Some users benefit from it, while others notice little difference.

Testing is the only reliable way to determine what works best for your system.

Myth 3

“The larger the cache, the faster the simulator.”

False.

A larger cache simply stores more scenery. It does not guarantee higher FPS or smoother performance.

Myth 4

“HDDs perform just as well as SSDs.”

False.

Modern SSDs and NVMe drives offer significantly faster access to scenery data and generally provide a better overall simulator experience.

Student Exercise

Today you’re going to evaluate Rolling Cache and your storage configuration.

Step 1

Review your current setup.

Record:

• Storage drive type (HDD, SSD or NVMe SSD).
• Available free space.
• Current Rolling Cache setting.
• Current cache size (if enabled).

Step 2

Run your permanent benchmark flight with Rolling Cache enabled.

Record:

• Loading time.
• Average FPS.
• Frame pacing.
• Scenery streaming behaviour.
• Overall smoothness.

Step 3

Disable Rolling Cache and repeat the exact same benchmark.

Keep:

• Airport.
• Aircraft.
• Weather.
• Time of day.
• Graphics settings.

identical.

Step 4

Compare the two runs.

Ask yourself:

• Did loading times change?
• Did scenery load differently?
• Were there any noticeable streaming stutters?
• Was there any meaningful difference in FPS or smoothness?

Document your observations in your Performance Profile.

Student Checklist

Storage type identified.

Free storage space checked.

Rolling Cache tested enabled.

Rolling Cache tested disabled.

Benchmark completed.

Results compared.

Performance Profile updated.

Lesson Summary

Congratulations.

You now understand how Microsoft Flight Simulator manages streamed scenery and local storage.

Remember:

• Rolling Cache stores recently downloaded scenery so it can be reused without downloading it again.
• Its effectiveness depends on your flying habits, storage performance and internet connection rather than providing a universal FPS boost.
• Fast SSDs and NVMe drives significantly improve loading times and scenery access compared with traditional HDDs.
• Maintaining free storage space and keeping your simulator files organised contributes to a smoother overall experience.
• When in doubt, benchmark both configurations using the same test flight and let the data guide your decision rather than relying on myths or generic recommendations.

Knowledge Check

1. What is the purpose of Rolling Cache?
2. How does terrain streaming differ from cached scenery?
3. Why are SSDs and NVMe drives generally recommended over HDDs for Microsoft Flight Simulator?
4. When might it be beneficial to clear Rolling Cache?
5. Does a larger Rolling Cache automatically increase FPS? Why or why not?
6. Why is it important to keep free space available on your storage drive?
7. What role does the Windows Page File play if your system runs low on RAM?
8. Based on your benchmark results, which Rolling Cache configuration worked best for your system, and what evidence supports your conclusion?