Microsoft is launching a limited-time technical alpha for Flight Simulator 2024 in October, offering players free access to test the game before its official release on November 19, 2024. The alpha version will run for two to three days, allowing Microsoft to gather technical performance data. While this early preview is a great opportunity to experience the game, players should expect bugs and optimization issues due to its pre-release status.

To participate, users must apply by filling out this form and providing their PC specifications via a DxDiag report. The minimum requirements include a GTX 970 or Radeon RX 5700 GPU, an i7-6800K or Ryzen 5 2600X CPU, and 16 GB of RAM, although these specs will likely necessitate significant compromises in performance and visual quality.

More information on required PC specs for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 here and here (simFlight.com preview).

For a smoother gameplay experience, Microsoft recommends a much higher-end setup. A system with an RTX 2080 or Radeon RX 5700 XT GPU, an i7-10700K or Ryzen 7 2700X processor, and at least 32 GB of RAM is necessary for decent performance. For optimal results, configurations with an RTX 4080, RX 7900 XT, i7-14700K, or Ryzen 9 7900X and 64 GB of RAM are recommended, which could cost upwards of 2,000 euros.