Flight Simulator World Update 23: install and version checks

World Update 23 adds free Poland and Baltics scenery to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Check which simulator you use before installing: the 2020 and 2024 editions have different activities and content-management menus.

What the update adds

Five handcrafted airports accompany Discovery Flights and landings. The 2024 edition adds Sopot landing, a Tatra guided tour and a rally race.

Find the right installation menu

Microsoft explains that Not available marks content you own from the 2020 simulator that has not yet been successfully ported to 2024. It is not an instruction to buy it again. If you change the enabled state of Community content on PC, restart the simulator before judging the result. Record the exact package name and status if you need help, rather than reporting only that the scenery looks different.

Start by checking the version named on your game tile and main menu. Similar product names make it easy to follow instructions for the wrong simulator. For another example of version-specific upgrades, see the Metro Redux next-generation upgrade and save checks.

The Antonov aircraft costs extra

The October 30 Marketplace update lists the Antonov An-28 separately at US$14.99 on PC and Xbox, for both simulators. Its PlayStation 5 listing uses 60 SC. Those are published marketplace examples, not a promise about every regional checkout. Check your displayed currency and balance before confirming a purchase.

You do not need to buy that aircraft merely because it appeared alongside the scenery announcement. Start with the free package and the aircraft you already own. Consider the extra aircraft only if that specific model interests you; a scenic flight is not a reason to purchase an unrelated item by accident. Read the product title carefully, especially when a marketplace screen shows several new releases together.

Do not confuse scenery with beta testing

Microsoft’s latest weekly briefing separates three releases: the free scenery, the final Sim Update 7.1 patch and the optional Sim Update 7.2 beta. It identifies two beta builds, 1.9.22.0 and 1.9.23.0, released on October 23 and 28 respectively. A beta build number in a forum discussion does not mean your normal installation is missing a mandatory update.

For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Sim Update 7.1 is version 1.9.21.0. Its release notes include a fix for reduced aircraft drag. They also warn PC players that outdated Community packages can affect performance and loading. If instability starts after updating, Microsoft recommends moving those packages to another folder before relaunching. Preserve them rather than deleting your collection while testing.

For a first test, choose a familiar aircraft and a short route. Avoid changing controls, graphics settings and several add-ons simultaneously. If the problem disappears with optional packages removed, restore them gradually so you can identify which change matters. This is a troubleshooting approach, not a guarantee that a particular third-party add-on is faulty.

A download does not make 2024 offline

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 requires a constant internet connection. Its accessibility guide says the simulator cannot be used offline, while My Library manages the installation or streaming status of owned content. Downloading a package therefore should not be treated as a promise that an entire flight can run without connectivity.

Before setting aside an evening to explore, allow time for updates and check the connection you will actually use. Players in Europe, the Americas and Asia can visit the same virtual region, but their download conditions may differ. Avoid planning around an assumed universal file size: the reviewed release material does not provide one dependable download figure for every platform and installation.

Check ownership before changing platforms

Microsoft’s platform guide says Microsoft Store or Xbox app purchases and add-ons can be shared between PC and Xbox through the same Microsoft account. Steam purchases do not transfer to Xbox or PlayStation. Check the store that originally sold an item, rather than assuming the simulator’s shared name makes every licence interchangeable.

The PlayStation 5 FAQ describes a separate setup: no Microsoft account is required, Marketplace purchases are not shared with PC or Xbox, and multiplayer and leaderboards are not shared with those platforms. PlayStation Plus is needed for multiplayer. If friends use another platform, verify those limits before buying a console version specifically to join them.

Keep receipts and identify the account used for each purchase before spending again. A missing item after changing platforms can be an ownership limitation, not a broken installation. This article is based on official release notes and support documentation, not hands-on testing. The promotional screenshots show the scenery, but they cannot establish your frame rate, loading time or connection quality.