FS9 - FSX and Windows 10

[finforfun]

Hello all, I am sure this has been discussed before, but... With support for Windows 7 ending in January 2020, it looks like I, along with many others,
will be strong armed into adopting Win 10. Other online discussions range from those who can't get FS9, in particular, to run at all, to those who have
no problems. I do want to keep flying in those Calclassic skies. Remind me, tell me, please what is the current advice on this thorny subject?

All the best.

Fin Fraser

[Tom/CalClassic]

Most people can run FS9 if they install it outside any Program Files folder, run as Administrator, and run in Compatibility mode. I don't know more than that. Any other advice?

[stansdds]

From what I have read and seen, those who upgrade an existing, older version of Windows to Windows 10 have more problems than those who perform a clean install of Windows 10.

[Erik]

Fresh Win10 user here, all in the green.

Built a new pc, no upgrades, put Win10 Pro on it. Installed FS9 using some advise from this forum. Am not at the FS pc now but I don't think I'm even using compatibility mode and it works fine. Had a few hickups after last Windows update (not sure if even related) that I could clear without a lot of trouble. Can check on details later this week.

Installed FSX as well, am _still_ not an actual user, but that too works fine.


Erik

[emmemm]

Hi,
I'm an avowed FS9 fan and have never tried anything else like FSX, X-Plane or P3D. My FS9 always ran on a Windows XP computer, which was only for weather during the flight on the net. Nevertheless, a worm has killed my XP system. Then I was forced to buy a new PC (Intel Core i7 8700K 6x3, 7Ghz, 32GB DDR Ram, 500GB SSD and 1.8TB Disk, NVIDIA Manli GTX 1660 graphics card) of course with Windows 10, there is nothing else here in Germany to buy more. I deleted the preinstalled Windows 10 and replaced it with an absolutely clean Windows 10 (ie without ads, games, etc. blah, blah). Then FS9 from the CD's installed on the SSD hard disk under C: \ FS2004 only as administrator, no compatibility mode. Then no CD patch and FS9.1 patch installed. Afterwards I copied my complete FS9 (total 250GB, 135 GB airplanes and over 1000 scenery library entries) from the hard disk of the old PC via ICY box over the new installation.
The FS9 runs without problems, super fast like never before. I have no black screen issues, no airplane preview or full screen problems as they are often described. Of course, I had to re-install some payware planes and sceneries to unlock them on the new machine. Even the old utilities like FSNavigator, AFCAD, Panelstudio, DXTBmp, AISmooth, AirEd etc. can be reinstalled and work well.

regards
MM

[Erik]

That very much mirrors my experience, including the clean Windows 10 (not selecting/opting out for a lot of stuff included by default). I too copied most of my old FS install onto the new one, of course. Beware of your fs9.cfg though, several settings there will be different. I composed mine of the old one with some parts of a roughly set up new one. Final tweaking while in FS.

I did have to add an older DirectX version like Crimar describes in Fs9 under win10 on this forum. Otherwise the graphics were unstable.

Another very good source is ***IF YOUR FS2004 WILL NOT START UP READ THIS*** also on this forum. I see I mentioned there indeed I do not need Compatibility mode or Run as administrator (I am the admin of my pc by default).

Erik

[jwh]

I had a new computer custom built last December and with Windows 7 being phased out had to have Windows 10 on it. Personally I loathe Windows 10 compared to Windows 7 which I found far more user friendly. But as my old computer which has Windows 7 installed is only about five years old and in perfect condition I decided to keep it in operation unconnected to the internet and use it solely as my FlightSim computer. Which means for myself I can be doing a long flight and still do work on the new computer. As they sit almost side by side I can monitor both.

I decided on doing it this way as I had seen comments about people having problems getting FS9, which is all I use, to work properly with Windows 10. So with support for Windows 7 finishing next year I can't see that I will have any problems using FS9 on the old computer.

So if your old computer is in good nick and you have the space this could be a way to go. BTW I don't use a laptop for my computer work. Am a bit old fashioned and still prefer the box on the floor and a nice big 27 inch monitor. Great for watching NetFlix with my ladyfriend.

John

[zswobbie1]

FS2004 works very well in Windows 10, smoother & better than with older operating systems.
The 'copy & paste' way of moving an existing install from it's default C:\Program Files spot to C:\ works perfectly.
Once you have done that, right click the fs9.exe, go to properties,set Compatibility to XP & then set 'Run as Administrator'

At the moment, I've got 6 different versions of FS2004 running perfectly

Dont forget to download & run Flight1's Registry Repair to tell the registry where you FS2004 is.

Also remember that Windows 10 is optimised for newer hardware as well, so Windows XP,7, 8.1 will not run as optimised on new hardware, & obviously there will be security issues, if it has internet access, AS WELL as possible virus's, or other nasty stuff that has been downloaded before, & installed.

So, to recap, Windows 10 will run the sims perfectly, smoother & a little faster than the older operating systems.

Robin