How to Move DCS World to Another Drive – Tutorial.

Moving DCS World off your Windows drive is a great way to free up space especially with DCS now taking 300+ GB when fully loaded with modules and maps.
However, moving it incorrectly can break updates, shaders, mods, and even cause version-detection issues (like installing 2.5 instead of 2.9).

Here is the correct, safe method to move your DCS install without breaking functionality.

---

Before You Start – Important Notes

• You must keep your Saved Games folder on the Windows drive
  (C:\Users\<You>\Saved Games\DCS\).
  This is required for settings, inputs, mods, liveries, OpenXR, etc.
• Only the main program folder should be moved.
• Use the built-in DCS Updater for a perfectly clean move.

---

Method 1 – The Official Safe Way (Using DCS_Updater.exe)

This is the recommended method and works for Stable and Open Beta.

Step 1 – Create a New Folder on the Target Drive

Example:

D:\Games\DCS World\

Step 2 – Open Command Prompt

Right-click Command Prompt → Run as Administrator

Step 3 – Navigate to Your Current DCS Folder

For example:

cd "C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\bin"

Or Open Beta:

cd "C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta\bin"

Step 4 – Use the DCS Updater to Relocate the Install

Run:

DCS_updater.exe relocate "D:\Games\DCS World"

What this does:

• Moves all files internally
• Regenerates file links
• Updates paths
• Ensures integrity (SRS, TacView, mods, VR, etc.)
• Prevents version mismatch issues

This is the proper way to move DCS.

Step 5 – Let the Relocation Complete.

After the move finishes:

• Start DCS normally
• It should launch from the new drive
• Updates will continue to work correctly

---

Method 2 – Manual Move (Only If Updater Method Fails)

This works, but is less ideal.

Step 1 – Copy the Entire DCS Folder to the New Drive

Example:

Copy: C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World
Paste to: D:\Games\DCS World

Step 2 – Delete the Old Folder

After confirming the copy is complete, delete:

C:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World\

Step 3 – Fix the Registry Path (Required)

DCS uses a registry entry to know where the program lives.

Open Registry Editor:

Press:
Win + R → regedit → Enter

Navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World

Update the key “Path” to:

D:\Games\DCS World

For Open Beta:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Eagle Dynamics\DCS World OpenBeta

Step 4 – Run a Repair

Go to:

D:\Games\DCS World\bin\DCS_updater.exe repair

This ensures nothing broke during the manual copy.

---

Method 3 – Redownload & Preserve Your Modules (Fastest Clean Reset)

If you prefer a clean install:

1. Delete the program folder (not Saved Games)
2. Download the latest installer
3. Install directly to the new drive
4. DCS will automatically detect all purchased modules

This is often faster than copying 300–500 GB manually.

---

What Stays on the C: Drive and MUST Stay There.

Regardless of where DCS is installed, the following must remain in your Windows user folder:

C:\Users\<YourUserName>\Saved Games\DCS\
C:\Users\<YourUserName>\Saved Games\DCS.openbeta\

This contains:

• Input bindings
• Mods / liveries
• Mission files
• Settings
• Shader cache
• Track files
• Log files

Do not move this folder unless you know how to update Windows junction links (not recommended).

---

VR Users (OpenXR / SteamVR / Pico / Quest)

Moving DCS does not affect:

• OpenXR
• OpenComposite
• ReShade
• VR runtimes
• Toolkit settings
• MT/ST launch options

Everything inside Saved Games stays intact.

---

Done DCS World Is Now Moved Safely

Using DCS_updater relocate is the cleanest, most reliable method.

Your install will:

✅ Stay fully functional
✅ Continue updating normally
✅ Keep all modules and settings
✅ Free up space on your C drive
✅ Avoid the “DCS 2.5 instead of 2.9” issue during reinstall

---

Author

Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.

He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.

Learn More @ 
DreamingGuitar.com – DreamingCoffee.com – LetsFlyVFR.com

( HOME – BLOG – SHOP – ABOUT )

As an Amazon affiliate I may benefit from qualifying sales.