Disagree with the above - to a point. You cannot learn to
fly an a/c with a PC-based sim, but you can develop certain routines, such as the instrument scan. It helps a lot to be instinctively familiar with the cockpit layout - you just known where to look for what. A sim is also great for instrument training - and yes, you *will* need this even as a PPL, no matter what the 'stick-and-rudder-and-always-look-out-the-window' brigade tell you, especially if you intend to fly a bit further than the nearest 100 quid soggy sandwich.
Personally, I have X-Plane, which also exists in an FAA-approved training version, not familiar with MSFS, so cannot comment on their relative merits. I sometimes use X-Plane to have a look at approaches into unfamiliar airports and perhaps fly a couple of them before actually taking the a/c there. While this may not be what you do right now, it's that's something you will hopefully be doing soon!
Enjoy your training and happy landings
