Xbox login where it doesn't belong.

Thanks for answering my question.

I purchased MSFS 2020 when it first appeared on Steam. None of that Xbox nonsense was associated with the game then. Now, with the Covid-19 pandemic significantly reduced and time on my hands, I re-downloaded the program from my Steam account. That was about 6 months ago. I couldn't play the game because, although the Saitek yoke was detected, it would only let me configure an Xbox controller.

I tried again a couple of weeks ago and when it asked for me to sign in to Xbox I tried signing in even though I don't have an Xbox account. It signed me in!

Since then it hasn't asked me to sign in. I just get the irritating Xbox pop-ups but it let me configure the Saitek yoke.

So, it's apparent that Steam and MS have some sort of licensing agreement now that didn't exist in 2020.

And, as a side note, when I couldn't configure the Saitek yoke I contacted Steam tech support. They are useless. Their response was that 3rd party problems are not their problems.

Every major publisher requires you create an account for them. EA, Ubisoft, Sony, Activision, etc etc in additon to whatever PC storefront on console you have purchased it on

You need to log on as Stream is only used for authentication, all game information is stored on MS servers

Your problem was solved because you logging in let you access updates and controller profiles stored on those servers.

I understood your message.

And how can I help you in this matter?

it is a microsoft game therefore requires a microsoft account to use it regardless of which store you purchase from, same goes with lots of other games that also require an ubisoft account, epic account, rockstar account the list goes on.

Thanks for answering my question.

I purchased MSFS 2020 when it first appeared on Steam. None of that Xbox nonsense was associated with the game then. Now, with the Covid-19 pandemic significantly reduced and time on my hands, I re-downloaded the program from my Steam account. That was about 6 months ago. I couldn't play the game because, although the Saitek yoke was detected, it would only let me configure an Xbox controller.

I tried again a couple of weeks ago and when it asked for me to sign in to Xbox I tried signing in even though I don't have an Xbox account. It signed me in!

Since then it hasn't asked me to sign in. I just get the irritating Xbox pop-ups but it let me configure the Saitek yoke.

So, it's apparent that Steam and MS have some sort of licensing agreement now that didn't exist in 2020.

And, as a side note, when I couldn't configure the Saitek yoke I contacted Steam tech support. They are useless. Their response was that 3rd party problems are not their problems.