Forza Horizon 6 - How to Improve Graphics Through Config File Editing

If you’re looking to push Forza Horizon 6’s visuals beyond what the in-game settings menu allows, editing the configuration file manually is the way to go. This guide walks you through locating the right file, understanding the key parameters, and tweaking them for sharper reflections, better shadows, improved particle effects, and more. Whether you’re aiming for ultra realism or just want to fine-tune performance, these settings give you full control.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Locate the Config File

Press Win + R on your keyboard, then paste the following path and hit Enter:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\ForzaHorizon6\LocalStorage_Shared\ForzaUserConfigSelections\

Alternatively, you can navigate manually:

C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\ForzaHorizon6\LocalStorage_Shared\ForzaUserConfigSelections\

The main graphics configuration file is named UserConfigSelections. Open it with any text editor like Notepad.

Step 2: Set Base In-Game Settings First

Before editing the config file, launch Forza Horizon 6 and configure the basic settings to match your PC and monitor. This includes:

Resolution
Screen mode (fullscreen recommended)
Refresh rate
HDR (if supported)
DLSS / DLAA / FSR3 / XeSS

This ensures the config file starts from a stable baseline.

Step 3: Backup the Original Config

Always make a backup of the original UserConfigSelections file before making any changes. Copy it to a safe location so you can restore it if something goes wrong.

Step 4: Disable Dynamic Optimization

Search for UseDynamicOptimization in the file and set it to 0. Also, make sure all parameters with isDynamic are set to "0". This prevents the game from automatically lowering quality to maintain performance.

Step 5: Adjust Key Graphics Parameters

Below are the most impactful settings you can tweak. Replace the existing values with the ones provided.

Reflections and Cubemaps

<GlobalSpecularCubemapResolution isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1024"/>
<CarSpecularCubemapMSAA isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1"/>
<CubemapDrawDistanceScalar isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="4.000000"/>
<CubemapMeshSizeThresholdScalar isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="0.050000"/>
<EnvMapFrequencyScale isDynamic="1" dynamicValue="Extreme"/>
<CarReflectionLOD isDynamic="1" dynamicValue="Extreme"/>

Mirror Quality

<CollidablesInMirror isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1"/>
<MaxCarsInMirror isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="16"/>
<LOD3CarsInMirror isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1"/>
<HalfRateMirror isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="0"/>
<ParticlesInMirror isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1"/>
<MirrorResolution isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="512"/>
<MirrorFarDistance isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="3000"/>

Windshield and Glass Reflections

<EnableWindshieldReflections isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1"/>
<WindshieldReflectionResolution isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="Default" name="Default" value="1024"/>

Particles and Shadows

<ParticleRateScale isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="" name="Default" value="1.500000"/>
<ShadowMapUpdateRateWhenReduced isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="" name="Default" value="1.000000"/>

Deformable Snow (Detailed Tuning)

<DeformableSnowQuality isDynamic="0" dynamicValue="" Active="1" TessellationLOD0Dist="35.000000" TessellationLOD0EdgeLength="0.100000" TessellationLOD1Dist="55.000000" TessellationLOD1EdgeLength="0.500000" TessellationLOD2Dist="85.000000" TessellationLOD2EdgeLength="1.000000" VertexModifyMinDist="45.000000" VertexModifyMaxDist="85.000000"/>

Active="1" enables the snow deformation system.
TessellationLOD0EdgeLength="0.100000" gives maximum detail at close range.
VertexModifyMinDist and VertexModifyMaxDist control how far tire tracks and surface deformation appear.

FOV Adjustments

<FollowLowFOV value="48.500000"/>
<FollowHighFOV value="58.000000"/>
<DriverFOV value="48.000000"/>
<HoodFOV value="66.000000"/>
<BumperHighFOV value="58.000000"/>

Sharpness Settings

<TAASharpness value="0.700000"/>
<CASSharpness value="0.700000"/>
<DLAASharpness value="0.700000"/>
<DLSSSharpness value="0.700000"/>
<XeSSSharpness value="0.700000"/>
<FSR3Sharpness value="0.700000"/>

Step 6: Modify the Selections Section

Scroll down to the <selections> block and adjust the following:

<option id="UseDynamicOptimization" value="0"/>
<option id="FrameRate" value="3"/>
<option id="VSync" value="0"/>
<option id="EnableHDR" value="0"/>
<option id="MotionBlurAmount" value="0"/>
<option id="ShowFPS" value="1"/>
<option id="ResolutionScaling" value="0"/>
<option id="DLSSMode" value="0"/>
<option id="DLSSGMode" value="1"/>
<option id="FSR3Mode" value="0"/>
<option id="XeSSMode" value="0"/>
<option id="REFLEXMode" value="1"/>
<option id="NVIDIATech" value="1"/>
<option id="CarLOD" value="4"/>
<option id="EnvStreamingTex" value="4"/>
<option id="GeometryQuality" value="5"/>
<option id="ReflectionQuality" value="5"/>
<option id="SSRQuality" value="0"/>
<option id="RTReflectionQuality" value="3"/>
<option id="ShadowQuality" value="4"/>
<option id="NightShadows" value="2"/>
<option id="SSGIQuality" value="0"/>
<option id="RTGIQuality" value="3"/>
<option id="ShaderQuality" value="4"/>
<option id="AudioQuality" value="4"/>
<option id="DeformableSnowQuality" value="4"/>
<option id="ParticlesSettings" value="4"/>
<option id="VolumetricFogQuality" value="5"/>
<option id="LensEffects" value="4"/>
<option id="MotionBlurQuality" value="0"/>
<option id="TAA" value="0"/>
<option id="DLAA" value="1"/>
<option id="FSR3AA" value="0"/>
<option id="XeSSAA" value="0"/>

Step 7: Save and Test

Save the file, then launch Forza Horizon 6. Check if the changes are applied correctly. If you encounter issues or crashes, restore your backup and try adjusting values one at a time.

Important Tips

Always disable dynamic optimization – Set UseDynamicOptimization to 0 and all isDynamic attributes to "0". Otherwise, the game may override your manual settings.
Backup is essential – Keep a copy of the original config file. One wrong value can cause crashes or visual glitches.
Monitor refresh rate – The MonitorRefreshPeriod value is calculated as 1 ÷ refresh rate. For 240 Hz, use 0.004167. For 144 Hz, use 0.006944.
Performance impact – Higher values for reflection resolution, cubemap distance, and tessellation will hit performance. Adjust based on your hardware.
FOV values are personal preference – Feel free to tweak them to your liking. The defaults are a good starting point.
DLSS and DLAA – If you have an NVIDIA GPU, consider enabling DLAA for native resolution anti-aliasing. DLSS Frame Generation can boost FPS with minimal quality loss.

Final Thoughts

Editing the Forza Horizon 6 config file gives you access to settings that aren’t available in the standard menu. From finer snow deformation to sharper reflections and better mirror quality, these tweaks can significantly enhance your visual experience. Just remember to take it slow, test each change, and always keep a backup handy.

Forza Horizon 6 – How to Improve Graphics Through Config File Editing