# The Virtual File System<no value>
This window shows the status of various aspects of the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}} and can be opened from the [Tools](../../tools/) menu. For more detailed information on the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}} and how it works, please see here:

-   [Virtual File System Information](../virtual-file-system/virtual-file-system-information/)

This window has the following sections:


-   ##### Info

    This section shows information about the status of the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}}.  

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_3.png"
        alt="The Virtual File System Information Section" >}}


-   ##### Package Folders

    This section shows the following two buttons:  

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_4.png"
        alt="The Virtual File System Watched Bases Section" >}}

    -   `Open FS2020 Official`: This will open a file explorer window on the location of the official Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 add-on packages you own from the Microsoft OneStore.
    -   `Open FS2024 Official`: This will open a file explorer window on the location of the official Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 add-on packages you own from the Microsoft OneStore.
    -   `Open Community Folder`: This will open a file explorer window on the location of the community MSFS 2020 add-on packages that have been added to the simulation. See [The Community Folders](../../../../introduction/sdk-overview/#the-community-folders) section for more information.
    -   `Open Community 2024 Folder`: This will open a file explorer window on the location of the community MSFS 2024 add-on packages that have been added to the simulation. See [The Community Folders](../../../../introduction/sdk-overview/#the-community-folders) section for more information.


-   ##### MountPoints

    This section shows the different Mount Points for add-on packages.

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_5.png"
        alt="The Different VFS Mount Points" >}}
    
    It is worth noting that you can filter the Mount Points that are visible in the list using the input field at the top of this section, and you can clear the filter using the {{< button "Clear Filter" />}} button.


-   ##### Actions

    This section has "action" buttons that can be used to perform different things. Currently only the {{< button "Copy Layout To Clipboard" />}} button is available, which copies the current {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}} layout to the clipboard so you can debug any issues.  

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_6.png"
        alt="The Actions Section Of The Virtual File System Window" >}}


-   ##### Browse

    This section permits you to browse every single file currently related to the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}}.
    
    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_7.png"
        alt="The Browse Section In The Virtual File System Window" >}}
    
    There are a number of filter options at the top of the section to show only *Files* or *Directories* or to use *Recursive* search or not. You can also add a custom filter using the input box at the top, and clear the filter using the {{< button "Clear Filter" />}} button.


-   ##### VFS Projector

    The VFS Projector is a tool which allows developers to explore the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}} in the windows file explorer. This tool permits you to visualise core simulation files that may be streamed and normally inaccessible. Initially this section will look as follows:

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_8.png"
        alt="The VFS Projector Section Initial View" >}}
    
    Before you can use this tool to view the contents of the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}}, you will need to run a command on **Powershell**. This command is shown in the text box and you have the option to copy it and use it yourself (using the {{< button "Copy Command" />}} button), or have the VFS Explorer run it for you (by clicking the {{< button "Execute Command" />}} button). The full command is:

    ``` cpp
    Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Client-ProjFS -NoRestart
    ```

    If the VFS Projector window does not update after running the command, you can click the {{< button "Refresh" />}} button to try and force the tool to detect the changes. Once the tool has been run, the section will look like this:

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_9.png"
        alt="The VFS Projector Window After Enabling Projection" >}}
    
    Clicking the Start button will initiate the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}} projection and you can click on the Open Explorer button to open the Windows file explorer at the location of the projection, which can be found in the **VFSProjection** folder:

    {{< image-center
        src="images/2_DevMode/menus/tools/virtual_file_system/tools_10.png"
        alt="The Location Of The VFSProjection Folder" >}}
    
    You can then browse this folder as you would any other folder in the file explorer, however a couple of things should be noted:

    -   The files shown here **are not real files**. They are placeholder file - empty files with only the name and meta data of the real file - and/or copies of the file data when the OS is asked to open one of those files.

    -   Changing any data in a file that you open **will have no impact on the simulation**.

    -   Some files are **protected** and will appear with a padlock (🔒) icon on them. Trying to open them will result in an "Access Denied" error.

    -   When package operations are made in DevMode (ie: build, mount, etc…) you will have to refresh the file explorer to be sure that it correctly reflects the current state of the {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}}.

    -   Many textures are stored using the {{< glossterm >}}ktx2{{< /glossterm >}} texture format. You will need an external viewer to be able to visualise these (the free [Image Viewer](https://github.com/kopaka1822/ImageViewer "https://github.com/kopaka1822/ImageViewer"), for example), and you can find additional information on this file format here:

        -   [KTX2 And KTX2P Files](../../../../introduction/using-the-sdk/#h1)

       
    When finished using the tool, you can click the {{< button "Stop" />}} button. The `VFSProjection` folder will no longer be available after this, however you can click the {{< button "Start" />}} button again at any time. If you wish to permanently prevent further {{< glossterm >}}vfs{{< /glossterm >}} projection you can run the following Powershell command:

    ``` cpp
    Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Client-ProjFS -NoRestart
    ```