Simviation Forums

Hello all... I'm a FS2004 veteran from "way back"... Due to time constrains I stopped playing the game for several years, and recently I got me a new computer running Windows 10.... I was dismayed to find that FS2004 would not run under Windows 10, and I've read that FSX it's not quite smooth under Windows 10 (it reportedly crashes a lot etc.) So I just wanted to ask what are my best bets for FS games out there...? Should I give FSX a try, is it worth it? Is there any other Flight Simulator game out there I should give a try? (although I'd prefer to stick w/ something similar to FS2004, I don't want to have to "re-learn" a complete new set of commands and ways to do things...)

While I'm at it... I have a Saitek AV8R joystick which I absolutely love, yet the last few times I've used it has shown signs of being worn out, and whenever I disassemble a joystick to "clean it" it just ends up worst. I was considering to buy a new joystick, but the AV8R was meant for Windows 7, so I'm afraid it won't be compatible w/ Windows 10 either... Which joystick would you guys recommend for Windows 10...?

Many thanks in advance for your feedback and help!

-blaze440 {oh, the memories...!}

Hi Blaze.

I can't help you with FS2004, but FSX is running as smooth as can be on my newer computer build (Win 10) with all of the sliders moved all the way up. Not a single problem. Your mileage may vary.

IF you haven't already bought FSX, you might be surprised at how much it costs because the rights have been sold to Steam - Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition. From what I've heard some improvements have been made over the old version. Most aircraft and scenery will still work on the Steam Edition though.


As to the Saitek AV8R joystick, do you use electrical contact cleaner when you clean it?

If you really like it a lot, and can't fix it, you can buy them used on eBay & Amazon. But who knows how long the used one will last.

Alternately, you could replace the controller board in it.

I am using FSX Gold edition under Win 10, its smooth and trouible free with high frame rates and good scenery definition.

Maybe I can help with FS2004
I have 3 versions running in Windows 10. My favourite version is the one I installed into the C:\ directory, instead of it's default install place.
They, including my P3D, all run perfectly, no issues at all.
My UAC setting is turned right down. (The built-in Microsoft Defender & my Avast protect me against any viruses)
I run the sims as "Admin".

Also, if you are an old time simmer, you still have your FS2004, so, nothing else to buy.

I have the free The natural World 2016. TNW2016 upgrades the Ground,  Sea,  Autogen,  Sky,  Clouds,  and other environmental settings, from  http://biggles11.wixsite.com/the-natural-world
This is REALLY simply amazing, & has transformed my FS2004.

I also have installed all the scenery & paints from http://www.ford-tri-motor.net/frontpage.htm. There you will find very unique stuff, including runway ramps & sloping runways, as well as all Milton's stuff, also available from the Ford site.

I'm a big freeware supporter. These developers are the backbone of our hobby!

Or, you can buy FSX (if you can find it) or the FSX Steam edition.

Hi Blaze,

FS9 can run on Win 10 but it needs a few tweaks. Here is a link that deals with it:

viewtopic.php?f=20&t=173033


Basically, it needs to be installed in its own folder not in the Program Files (x86) one. It needs to have the 9.1 update applied and the fs9.exe file replaced with the “no CD” file, which can be downloaded from a number of sites if you haven’t got it. I find it’s best to run in “windowed” mode but that might depend on your monitor / resolution. I would recommend installing on a drive other than the Win 10 one.

As for the AV8R, I have found that none of my Saitek drivers work with Win 10 so I removed them and installed SPAD instead.

Both my ancient MS Sidewinder Pro joystick & Saitek X35/36 combo work fine on Windows 10. I also have CFS2, FS2004, FSX Gold/Acceleration & FSX-SE running perfectly. (I use the No-CD patch for CFS2 & FS2004.) I change CFS2 & FS2004 to Windowed mode only if I wish to see the selected aircraft in the preview window on the Aircraft selection screen. Otherwise the window is blank. Once the sim has loaded it runs perfectly well in Full Screen mode.

I know this is not something That should be done because it is considered piracy But the fastest and easiest way to get FS2004 to run on Windows 10 is to download the nocdcrack for FS2004
This will allow you to run FS2004 without having disk 4 in the cd drive.
The problem with Windows 10 is having to deal with permissions, and UAC. Windows 10 is even more strict than Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 was.
And because you need disk 4 to run FS2004 with you have to change all of your settings and UAC which to me is just a pain in the you know where.
The nocdcrack solves both problems. Plus saves wear and tear on disk 4.
One thing that I will strongly advise is do not install FSX or FS2004 in the default location. Yes there is a way around this but once again you have to mess with the UAC and other settings to make them work. To me it is just so much easier to install it in a different folder outside of the PROGARMS-FILES folder. It is even better to install on a different hard drive. But then not every one has a way to hang a extra hard drive. AS you can see by my system specs I have two internal hard drives and 1 external hard drive that uses USB 3.2 which is faster than the other versions of USB but it is not as fast as a SATA input.
I run both FS2004 and FSX both installed on separate hard drives and not on the same hard drive as my operating system is on. This is the way it was meant to run.

Thank you everyone for all the tips and useful info... Very glad to know that FS2004 can run on W10 I'll give that a try.... Gary, I don't think that downloading the nocdcrack for FS2004 can be considered piracy. First, Microsoft no longer sells FS2004, so it's not like MS is "losing" any money if I get the nocdcrack for FS2004. Second, and more important, I've ALREADY payed for my FS2004 game, I don't see why I should pay for it again
Thanks again for all the advice!

Just out of interest I installed my old copy of FS9 into win 10 today. Faultless, Installed on my D drive and it went like a dream. Added NOCD and ran it with everything maxed out. frame rates over 100.

I've been using my Saitek X45 hotas for ever. Works great with FS9 and 10 no problems at all. I recently downloaded Dovetail games Flight School too and no problems there either. I use windows 10, but after the latest update (anniversary update) There's a bit of a problem with the scenery, in that there are patches where my aircraft partially vanishes into the ground while taxying. I'll have to work that one out. That's the whole problem with Windows 10, they don't support FS any more so they don't fix any issues.

Do I need to replace my Trusty Window 8.1 with the new, snazzy, Windows 10?.... ...

...NAH!...I don't fink so!... ...!

Paul.... ...!