We usually customize X-Plane 11 after installing. Settings can be reached from X-Plane's "Main Menu" and also from the little menus that pop up when the mouse goes to the far upper right corner of the screen.
Mike's favorite settings:
Graphics get turned down so the computer doesn't lag. (See suggestions in picture, larger version below.) Specifics: VisualEffects, TextureQuality, Antialiasing, NumberOfWorldObjects, and ReflectionDetail all slid down to left as far as possible or necessary if flying is laggy.
Graphics "Lateral Field of View" moved up to 90° rather than default 60 so you can see more to the left and right.
Keyboard: search for "Throttle" and use "[" to lower throttle a little, and "]" to raise throttle a little. Search for "Rudder" and use "a" "s" and "d" respectively for left-rudder, center-rudder, and right-rudder. (Default throttle is F1= less power, F2 = more power.)