Please no more 180Gb+ updates

[invisi-wall2]

Hi,

As much as I appreciate the continual developments and updates, the size of DCS is getting to a point where it might not fit on to a reasonably priced SSD drive, let along the download speed and size.

I know, first world problems...but if I could request breaking up the updates into more reasonable size for those of us that are download speed, time and SSD space challenged.

[Hiob]

The size of the update is determined by how many modules and terrain you have active in you installation. You can easily reduce the size for both (current size on SSD AND patch download size) be deactivating the modules and maps you don't currently need.

Patches can become very large in size when maps are made over, which in the recent patch were a frickin lot. Sinai, Caucasus, SA, all got new textures.

Unless you want to miss out on updates to the maps, I fear there is not much one can do about the patch size apart from the above.

[silverdevil]

5 hours ago, invisi-wall2 said:

Hi,

As much as I appreciate the continual developments and updates, the size of DCS is getting to a point where it might not fit on to a reasonably priced SSD drive, let along the download speed and size.

I know, first world problems...but if I could request breaking up the updates into more reasonable size for those of us that are download speed, time and SSD space challenged.

haha. mine was over 300. we have no choice except wait. as @Hiob stated, it is based on AC and terrains you have.

Edited September 19 by silverdevil

[Czar]

1. Uninstall the maps that are being updated.
2. Update your sim.
3. Reinstall the maps.

Will will reduce the space needed for large number of maps updated at once like one this patch.

5 hours ago, Hiob said:

You can easily reduce the size for both (current size on SSD AND patch download size) be deactivating the modules and maps you don't currently need.

You need to uninstall. Not just flip the switch on module manager.

Updating a map will download a lot of data first, which will occupy space beyond the currently installed map(s) files, and only then it will patch the data into the current installation. This will require a lot of space to do.

Doing the steps above will relieve your system to need such space for the patch.
It will use a lot of bandwidth regardless.

Edited September 19 by Czar

[MAXsenna]

Six maps were updated this time. If every one of those maps are installed. Obviously the update is gonna be huge. Imagine if Normandy 2.0 also was updated this time.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Pulstar]

I wonder if I set deny-write permissions to DLC skins would the updater still work or fail, because why have large textures for planes you do not own? Even Wart Thunder has a simple option to keep focus on which assets pertain more to your playstyle

[Kuky]

Yeah... what you gonna do? I bought at first 2x 1TB M2 drives thinking 1TB would be enough for DCS... within 1 week it was... well full  So I bought another 2TB M2 drive for DCS and moved it all over, now with 1 new aircraft module (MiG-29A Fulcrum) and I am trying out the South Atlantic map (which is pretty good I must say so I intend to buy it once I have bit of money left again) I am again down to ~850GB left on this 2TB drive.

So, solution to your "problem" is just uninstall modules you no longer use, aircraft and terrains and you'll save on space and DL data when DCS gets updates.

[Eldur]

On 9/19/2025 at 5:51 PM, Czar said:

1. Uninstall the maps that are being updated.
2. Update your sim.
3. Reinstall the maps.

Will will reduce the space needed for large number of maps updated at once like one this patch.

You need to uninstall. Not just flip the switch on module manager.

Updating a map will download a lot of data first, which will occupy space beyond the currently installed map(s) files, and only then it will patch the data into the current installation. This will require a lot of space to do.

Doing the steps above will relieve your system to need such space for the patch.
It will use a lot of bandwidth regardless.

 

While this does work, it seriously can't be the ultimate solution. I've been running into this multiple times especially recently, and I already junctioned out the folder for the temporary download files to another drive and also uninstalled a lot of other games already.

@BIGNEWY@NineLine We need ED to change the updater so it doesn't update everything installed in one large chunk, but basically do the terrain modules separately. Should be possible to make the updater do that by first updating the core and non-terrain modules, then all the terrains one by one after that. We'd probably see a number of update process windows after each other that way, but that would be fine. Would be great if you might be able to discuss that internally.

[Dragon1-1]

That's one reason I'm sticking to Steam for the foreseeable future. Its updater is much smarter and downloads in chunks, at least if the game files aren't lumped into one massive package. ED should look at a similar solution.

[BIGNEWY]

6 minutes ago, Eldur said:

We need ED to change the updater so it doesn't update everything installed in one large chunk, but basically do the terrain modules separately

I will certainly pass on the feedback, but then we run into problems with mismatched version numbers trying to join servers with outdated terrains. 

Dont get me wrong I know its important to reduce the size of the downloads and make it more manageable and the team are working on possible solutions. 

thank you 

[Czar]

25 minutes ago, Eldur said:

While this does work, it seriously can't be the ultimate solution. I've been running into this multiple times especially recently, and I already junctioned out the folder for the temporary download files to another drive and also uninstalled a lot of other games already.

What I wrote was to help people update their sim not to ''provide an ultimate solution'', to be clear. I have a long standing beef with this type of patching and massive files. DCS is not the only one that does this, and I don't know if there is another way in relation to upgrading maps. I think about the maps subject that's just the nature of the beast.

About the ''uninstalled other games''. Welcome to the club! Per GB, DCS still is more enjoyable than other games despite its massive size. Next steps are to acquire 2TB or more dedicated SSD for DCS and be in bliss.... for a while.....

[TheBiggerBass]

212GB this time - less than last update

Size doesn't concern me, but I would appreciate it to not update all missions, campaign, training, quickstart files in mods/aircraft folder with each update, at least make it optional please.

[Czar]

7 minutes ago, TheBiggerBass said:

212GB this time - less than last update

Size doesn't concern me, but I would appreciate it to not update all missions, campaign, training, quickstart files in mods/aircraft folder with each update, at least make it optional please.

It doesn't. It only touches what is changed with the patch or it fixes back to original files any deleted or modified base files.

Edited 14 hours ago by Czar

[TheBiggerBass]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb Czar:

It only touches what is changed with the patch or it fixes back to original files any deleted or modified base files.

Exactly this is what I would like to have optional for the mission files. Sometimes I tune them to my preference with ME. But each update deletes all these tunings.

I have a backup solution and mirror all mission files in another backup folder and overwrite all DCS mission file "rechanges" after an update already.  But I would prefer to opt this out of DCS update.

[Silver_Dragon]

I purchase some years ago a dedicated 2TB SSD to big games and yes, hay no problems with DCS updates.

 

[Czar]

16 minutes ago, TheBiggerBass said:

Exactly this is what I would like to have optional for the mission files. Sometimes I tune them to my preference with ME. But each update deletes all these tunings.

I have a backup solution and mirror all mission files in another backup folder and overwrite all DCS mission file "rechanges" after an update already.  But I would prefer to opt this out of DCS update.

You can always make your own missions or save them as new files instead of modifying base content, right?

I don't know. It seems like too much tuning for accommodating customizing base files. I don't think even the devs would want that to happen for good reasons (bugs caused by the user). The player can always make their own content and keep them in the Saved Games folder that's never tempered by patches and repair procedures.

[TheBiggerBass]

Ok, I guess we should not enter a discussion why I choose to change mission files in DCS World and whether I'm allowed to do it. I simply would prefer mission file updates only when there is an update, not just restoring status quo from the past. DCS already has a restore feature for this. I guess making this mission restore feature optional wouldn't hurt anyone.

Edited 10 hours ago by TheBiggerBass

[Hiob]

3 minutes ago, TheBiggerBass said:

Ok, I guess we should not enter a discussion why I choose to change mission files in DCS World and whether I'm allowed to do it. I simply would prefer mission file updates only when there is an update, not just restoring status quo from the past. DCS already has a restore feature for this. I guess making this mission restore feature optional wouldn't hurt anyone.

Won‘t happen.

DCS checks the checksum hash for every file to ensure the integrity of the installation. For user modified content there are two options. a) the savegames folder and b) a mod manager. Choose whatever fits your needs best. But don’t expect ED to bend over backwards because you’re unwilling to do it the proper way.

[Rudel_chw]

1 hour ago, TheBiggerBass said:

Sometimes I tune them to my preference with ME. But each update deletes all these tunings.

 

Simply save your custom missions somewhere else, for example at /saved games/dcs/missions/

1 hour ago, TheBiggerBass said:

I have a backup solution and mirror all mission files in another backup folder and overwrite all DCS mission file "rechanges" after an update already. 

 

On my case, for my DCS I only backup /Saved Games/DCS/ ... it's not worth it to backup the DCS program folders, as I can recover any lost file simply by running a DCS repair.

[Czar]

53 minutes ago, TheBiggerBass said:

Ok, I guess we should not enter a discussion why I choose to change mission files in DCS World and whether I'm allowed to do it.

You're allowed to do it. Please don't get me wrong, I don't care why you do you. I'm just pointing out a better direction to make and edit missions in the Saved Games folder than to force a dev to make a new system for the customer to pick and chose different levels of base content integrity.

Won't happen. I gave you a path there instead of having your work wiped out every patch.

Cheers.

[MAXsenna]

1 hour ago, TheBiggerBass said:

Exactly this is what I would like to have optional for the mission files. Sometimes I tune them to my preference with ME. But each update deletes all these tunings.

I have a backup solution and mirror all mission files in another backup folder and overwrite all DCS mission file "rechanges" after an update already.  But I would prefer to opt this out of DCS update.

And you still refuse to use mod managers! You're insufferable!

Just kidding! 

This is actually a case where they come in real handy. I do the same, and put custom/user missions/campaigns into the core, and it would be a mess and less control. 

When you edit those files, just give them another name, and they'll be fine until you perform a full repair with removal of files. Then they'll be moved to backup, unless you choose to delete them. 

Cheers! 

[Czar]

2 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

When you edit those files, just give them another name, and they'll be fine until you perform a full repair with removal of files. Then they'll be moved to backup, unless you choose to delete them. 

Hah, good call!

All modified files goes to a ''_backup.000-001-002 etc...'' inside DCS root folder. The nuisance lies on copying those files which have their folder structures intact back to the root folder.

No module manager needed although I run DCS pretty lean on mods. Only 1 NVG mod (absolute goat btw) and that's it for me.

Cheers

[TheBiggerBass]

Ok guys, don't bother.

I simply would like to show up missions, trainings ect. with their module selected and not in a giant all-together folder and scroll minutes to find it. That's why I store them in with their Mods/aircraft/mission folder.

It might also reduce download volume to just update changed mission files since last update only, not each and everything.

It was just an optimization proposal but never mind. I've got my solution which works fine.

Edited 9 hours ago by TheBiggerBass

[MAXsenna]

6 hours ago, Czar said:

All modified files goes to a ''_backup.000-001-002 etc...'' inside DCS root folder. The nuisance lies on copying those files which have their folder structures intact back to the root folder.

And that's how you build a mod....

6 hours ago, Czar said:

No module manager needed although I run DCS pretty lean on mods. Only 1 NVG mod (absolute goat btw) and that's it for me.

Cheers

Heretic! You're missing out!  

Me? To name a few:

Quaggles Injector combined with Munkwolf's keybind repository. Adds tons of missing keybinds. All the keybinds are in Saved Games. One single file that does not break IC. (Should be added natively to the Core by ED).

Barthek/Lucshep Caucasus texture mods... 

Overall module/coremods texture resize script. (Saves VRAM).

Taz1004's No Pause Briefing mod. When you press LAlt+B to read the briefing or when you press Escape to read the radio message log, the sim doesn't pause. Very handy combined with VoiceAttack. (Should exist in the game as a toggable option).

Taz1004's trees, NVG.... 

Arttu's Night Sky. As a Norwegian im used to actually see stars by looking out the Window. Not sure where in Brasil you live, but sitting on a beach in your country , (I have too many superlatives to describe it, and I have no idea how many times I've been there ), I EXPECT to see stars!  

Arttu's light fixes. It's nice to be able to see other flights at night further away like in real life. 

Bandit648's weather mod. Why this guy's edits haven't been incorporated into the Core yet, is beyond me.

These are a few examples, and I have many more. Some day ED will add an official mod manager to the Core, and have a common compatible repository, which will make it easier for everyone.  

Cheers! 

 

[Czar]

17 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Heretic! You're missing out!

lol

17 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Barthek/Lucshep Caucasus texture mods... 

Yeah, out of those, I really miss the Caucasus textures. But it is a map a rarely go/make missions/generate missions with.

19 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Arttu's Night Sky. As a Norwegian im used to actually see stars by looking out the Window. Not sure where in Brasil you live, but sitting on a beach in your country , (I have too many superlatives to describe it, and I have no idea how many times I've been there ), I EXPECT to see stars!  

: D fascinating, I hope your stay(s) have been impeccable because it is a tough country to ''experience''...apologies if I got that wrong...  Stars yes, we do. I've been stargazing a lot here throughout life, enough to be disappointed in sims which don't get the night sky right. I live in a big city. Northeast. Light pollution is a factor, although not severe. I'll save this night sky one.

28 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Arttu's light fixes. It's nice to be able to see other flights at night further away like in real life. 

This is useful and a long overdue fix. Absolutely crucial imo.

29 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

Bandit648's weather mod. Why this guy's edits haven't been incorporated into the Core yet, is beyond me.

Saw it earlier in the week. Consider your words mine as well. ED should look more into these mods...

30 minutes ago, MAXsenna said:

These are a few examples, and I have many more. Some day ED will add an official mod manager to the Core, and have a common compatible repository, which will make it easier for everyone.  

That would do it. And a easy to find button to boot the sim clean, without mods in order to make troubleshooting easier and a valid bug report.
Lots of times ''bugs'' are results by mods in bug reports in the forum throughout the years and people can easily lose track of what has been modified if patches don't clean the base sim files. I know I would if it was back in the day when I used to install a lot of them using JSGME (I think it is the name) including a massive Caucasus textures mod.

I prefer my sim to be as clean as possible today for simplicity. Even if it is missing out on some eye candy. It makes also a valid install for quick bug verification if I see someone on the bug report section having trouble.

The fixes to lights LOD, Caucasus textures, Night Sky mod and the Weather one are quality stuff to have. I agree.

Thanks, Max!