How to install an addon manually - step-by-step instructions

You bought the addon, downloaded the archive - and now it’s on your desktop. What's next?

Installation depends on the simulator and addon type. Let's look at everything in order.

Before installation: what you need to know

Most addons come in one of the following formats:

• ZIP-archive - unpack and put the folder where you need
• EXE installer - you run it, it lays out everything by itself
• Activation key - enter on the developer’s website, then download through their manager

The installation type is usually written in the product description. If you're not sure, take a look at docs.aviashop.online, there are reviews for specific publishers.

MSFS 2024

Where addons are stored

MSFS 2024 uses the Community folder for third-party addons. The path depends on where the simulator is installed from:

Steam:

C:\Users\[NAME]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community

Microsoft Store / Xbox App:

C:\Users\[NAME]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community

The AppData folder is hidden. To find it: open Explorer → in the address bar type %AppData% and press Enter.

Installation from ZIP

1. Unpack the archive
2. Inside find the addon folder - it usually starts with the name (for example flightfactor-777 or toliss-a320)
3. Move this folder to Community
4. Run MSFS - the addon will appear automatically

Important: put the addon folder, not the attached files separately. The structure should be Community/addon-name/...

Installation via EXE

Just run the installer and follow the steps. A good installer will find the Community folder itself. If it asks for a path, specify it manually.

X-Plane 12

Where addons are stored

Addons for X-Plane are placed in the folder of the simulator itself. Standard path:

C:\X-Plane 12\Custom Scenery\ ← scenarios and airports
C:\X-Plane 12\Aircraft\ ← airplanes
C:\X-Plane 12\Resources\plugins\ ← plugins

Aircraft installation

1. Unpack the archive
2. Find the folder with the airplane (there should be a file inside .acf)
3. Move the folder to Aircraft
4. You can create a subfolder for order: Aircraft\Airliners\ToLiss A320\

Scenario / airport installation

1. Unpack the archive
2. Move the script folder to Custom Scenery
3. If there is a file inside earth_nav_data - this is normal, X-Plane will pick it up

Installing the plugin

1. Plugin folder (there should be .xpl file) move to Resources/plugins
2. Restart X-Plane

Prepar3D (P3D)

Standard path for addons

C:\Users\[NAME]\Documents\Prepar3D v5 Add-ons\

Most P3D addons come with an EXE installer - it will write the necessary paths and add the addon to the simulator manager.

If the addon does not have an installer, read readme.txt inside the archive, the exact path is always written there.

Would you like to avoid fiddling with this manually?

That's what X-Shop Launcher is for. It automatically detects the simulator, finds the desired folder and installs the addon in one click.

You can download at storage.aviashop.online

The addon is installed, but it does not appear - what should I do?

Several common reasons:

Incorrect folder structure Open the addon folder - there should be files inside, not another subfolder. Sometimes when unpacking ZIP you get addon/addon/files - only the internal level is needed.

The simulator has not been restarted. Changes are applied only after a restart.

Conflict with another addon. Try temporarily removing other addons from the Community and check if this one works.

Activation required. Some addons (especially from PMDG, ToLiss, FlightFactor) require entering a key when you first start the simulator - it will appear pop-up window directly in the game.

Detailed instructions for specific addons

For popular publishers - PMDG, ToLiss, Navigraph, Orbx - we have separate guides in the documentation.

Check out docs.aviashop.online - there are step-by-step instructions with pictures for each type of add-on.

If something went wrong, write to support, we’ll figure it out ✈️