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  SimSwitch
  Version 1.1
  TweakFS.com
  July 25, 2014

  Website: http://tweakfs.com
  Support Forum: http://tweakfs.com/forum
  Email: info@tweakfs.com

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What does SimSwitch do?
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This utility switches the FSX installation folder path stored in the Windows Registry from FSX to Prepar3D (and back). This may help some FSX addons and their installers use the P3D folder as the target instead of the default FSX folder.

The editing of the FSX Registry key can of course be done manually using RegEdit but this tool makes it a quick and safe one-click step instead of a tedious search/replace operation.

Please Note: This is not a "migration" tool (See FAQs below).

First Run
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The first time it runs, SimSwitch will attempt to locate the default folders for FSX, P3D v1 and P3D v2, as found in each products respective Registry entry. The results can be seen on the Folders tab. If the utility cannot find the right folders, you have the option to select them manually.

When to Use this Utility
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Typically, you may be facing one or both of the following scenarios:

1) You have a FSX addon and the installer is looking for the FSX root folder.

2) You will have a FSX addon that needs to know where the FSX root folder is at all times in order to work properly.

In either of these cases the FSX installer or the addon itself checks the Windows Registry where the FSX installation folder is stored. The folder path stored there is the path to the FSX root folder, or it may be missing entirey, but you want the installer/addon to see the path to your P3D folder instead.

This is where SimSwitch can help. The "How To Use" sections below apply in the 2 above-mentioned contexts.

If the addon does not require knowing where the simulator is installed or uses raltive file paths then this utility is not required.

How to Use SimSwitch - In General
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- Simply select one of the three simulator icons and click the Apply button.
- If successful the green tick mark will blink.
- If the utility cannot make the change (e.g. if the simulator folder is not set or cannot be found) the utility will inform you of this and will not make any changes.

SimSwitch will remember your last selection (FSX, P3D v1 or P3D v2) and display it when you next launch the tool. Please note that if manual changes are made to the Registry outside of SimSwitch it will not be able to detect them until you apply a SimSwitch option again.

How to Use SimSwitch - Installing FSX Addons Into P3D
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If you have an installer for a FSX addon that uses the Windows Registry to find the FSX instllation folder, this is how you can coax it into installing into P3D:

- Have your FSX addon installer at the ready, but do not run it just yet.
- Launch SimSwitch and select the simulator version you want to enable.
- Run the FSX addon installer and note if it correctly points to the P3D folder.
- If all is correct then proceed with the installation.
- After installation you can switch the sim back to FSX.

How to Use SimSwitch - Using FSX Addons Under P3D
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If you have a FSX addon that while running checks the Windows Registry to detect the location of the FSX folder, this is how you get it to see the P3D folder instead:

- Launch SimSwitch and select the simulator version you want to enable.
- Run P3D, then use the addon and note if it works OK. If it does it is seeing the P3D folder.
- If you only want to run P3D and not FSX you can leave the SimSwitch option set to P3D.

Frequetly Asked Questions:
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Can SimSwitch mess up my FSX or P3D Installation?

Absolutely not! It does not touch anything  in your FSX or P3D folder! It merely swaps the FSX folder entry found in the Registry and you can set that to P3D v1 or v2 temporarily to assist with installing or using FSX addons. When you apply the FSX option again you are effectively rolling back any changes.

What About Files External to the Simulator? (e.g. Prepar3D.cfg, SimConnect.XML, etc.)

SimSwitch concerns itself only with the simulator's root folder, as recorded in the registry. It does not "fix" an addon that is searching or using files outside of the simualtors root folder.

I don't have FSX anymore, only P3D. Can SimSwitch still help?

Yes, you do not need to have FSX installed in order to have a setting in the Registry for FSX. In this case you may want to leave the option selected to P3D continuously so that when you next install or use a FSX addon it will always be pointed to your P3D installation folder.

Is SimSwitch a "migration" tool?

No, it is not designed to move an already installed FSX addon to P3D. Its only function is to edit the Windows Registry so that an FSX
addon installer that is looking for the FSX folder will be pointed to the P3D folder instead.

Version 1.1 - July 25, 2014
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- Auto-detection of P3D v2 folder improved.
- Expanded Help file.

Version 1.0 - March 23, 2014
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Initial release.

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Copyright © 2014 TweakFS.com - All right reserved
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