LARSENSIM D40/D42/172 Panel: Display Setup for MSFS and X-Plane

By litnxt | Published: 2026-11-01

Category: Product Reviews

Set up the LARSENSIM D40/D42/172 panel's integrated display in MSFS and X-Plane on Windows: connect USB, assign the screen, and position it correctly.

Quick answer

Connect the LARSENSIM panel's USB power and data, let Windows assign the integrated display as a secondary monitor, then position that monitor in MSFS or X-Plane and drag the matching aircraft instrument window onto it. The panel works with X-Plane and other Windows-based platforms, including MSFS, for D40, D42, and 172 models.

Why the integrated display changes your setup approach

Most flight sim panels are button boxes that rely on your main monitor for feedback. The LARSENSIM panel includes an integrated monitor, so Windows treats it as an extra screen. That means you manage two things: the USB connection that powers the panel and carries control data, and the display signal that Windows must recognize.

This dual role is why a panel that lights up but shows nothing is usually a display-assignment problem, not a hardware fault. The all-metal housing and compact desktop format are designed to sit on your desk ready to use, but the display still needs to be placed correctly in your simulator's window layout.

What to check before you start

Confirm you have a free USB port that provides enough power, and that your Windows PC meets the simulator's requirements for running an additional display. The panel is compatible with X-Plane and other Windows-based platforms, but the exact aircraft-specific display behavior depends on the simulator and the add-on aircraft you load.

Also decide which simulator you will set up first. MSFS and X-Plane handle multi-monitor window placement differently, and setting up one at a time makes it easier to isolate problems.

Step-by-step display setup

Connect USB power and data: Plug the panel's USB cable directly into a powered USB port on your PC, not a passive hub. Wait for Windows to detect the device and install any default drivers. If Windows does not show a new display, try a different USB port before troubleshooting further.
Assign the integrated display in Windows: Open Windows Display Settings, click Identify, and set the LARSENSIM screen to Extend these displays. Arrange its icon to match its physical position on your desk. Do not use Duplicate mode; the simulator needs a separate desktop area for the instrument window.
Launch your simulator and window the instrument: Start MSFS or X-Plane, load a D40, D42, or 172 aircraft, and open the instrument or pop-up window you want on the panel. Switch it to windowed mode if it opens full-screen. Keep the main simulator window on your primary monitor so the panel window does not cover it.
Drag the instrument window onto the panel display: Drag the pop-up window onto the LARSENSIM screen and resize it to fill the display. In MSFS, use the instrument pop-up options; in X-Plane, use the undocked panel windows. If the window snaps back, disable window snapping or hold Alt while dragging.
Save the layout and test controls: Save your simulator's window layout if it supports it, then test the panel's buttons and axes in the simulator's control settings to confirm both display and input work together. Re-check the layout after any simulator update, since window positions can reset.

Product facts

LARSENSIM Desktop Flight Sim Control Metal Housing Panel with Integrated Display for Windows, Compatible with X-Plane MSFS, D40/D42/172 Aircraft Models(Pre order:35 days): Includes an integrated monitor and USB power supply, and is compatible with X-Plane and other Windows-based platforms supporting D40, D42, and 172 aircraft models. You get a self-contained display and controls over a single USB connection, so setup focuses on Windows display assignment and simulator window placement rather than separate monitor cabling.
LARSENSIM Desktop Flight Sim Control Metal Housing Panel with Integrated Display for Windows, Compatible with X-Plane MSFS, D40/D42/172 Aircraft Models(Pre order:35 days)