Change FSX from French to English with the right steps for Steam Edition and boxed copies, plus fixes for menus or add-ons that stay French.
To change FSX from French to English, use Steam's language selector for FSX: Steam Edition. A boxed DVD copy has no supported in-game language switch; you must uninstall the French edition and install a properly licensed English edition. Back up add-ons and saved flights before reinstalling.
Which FSX version do you have?
The available method depends on whether FSX came from Steam or physical installation media.
| FSX edition | English-language method | Reinstallation required? |
|---|---|---|
| FSX: Steam Edition | Select English in Steam's game properties | Usually no |
| Boxed Standard, Deluxe or Gold Edition | Install an English-language copy | Yes |
A boxed copy added to Steam as a non-Steam game remains the boxed edition; adding the shortcut does not provide Steam's language downloads. Our explanation of how boxed FSX differs from Steam Edition at installation level can help if the edition is unclear.
How do I switch FSX: Steam Edition to English?
Steam Edition can download and apply the English localisation files through its properties.
- Close FSX completely.
- Open the Steam Library, right-click Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition and select Properties.
- Find the Language setting. In different Steam client layouts, this may appear under General or as its own Language entry.
- Select English and allow Steam to download any replacement language files.
- Launch FSX after the download finishes and check the menus, missions and ATC interface.
If FSX remains in French, restart Steam and repeat the selection. The next step is Steam's Verify integrity of game files command under Installed Files. Back up modified default aircraft, gauges or other core files first, because verification can replace altered stock files.
Can boxed FSX change language without reinstalling?
No supported setting converts a boxed French FSX installation into English because the installation media contains language-specific programme resources.
Changing the Windows display language, regional format or keyboard layout will not translate FSX. Editing fsx.cfg, copying individual language files or mixing DLLs from another edition can produce incomplete menus and may break repair tools, service packs or Acceleration.
- Back up your FSX content. Save custom aircraft, scenery, gauges, effects, flight plans and saved flights. Keep a copy of
%APPDATA%\Microsoft\FSX, but let the English installation create a fresh configuration before selectively restoring settings. - Collect add-on installers and licence details. Copying an aircraft folder alone may omit gauges, effects, fonts or external modules installed elsewhere.
- Uninstall the French edition through Windows, along with add-ons that have their own uninstallers.
- Separate leftover files. If the old FSX installation folder remains, rename it rather than installing English FSX over it. This prevents French stock files from surviving while preserving custom content for recovery.
- Install a properly licensed English edition from English-language media and run it once before restoring add-ons.
- Apply matching updates. Boxed service packs and Acceleration must match the base installation's language and edition. Follow the correct FSX service-pack order for a boxed installation rather than applying an English patch over the French copy.
- Reinstall add-ons gradually, checking FSX after major aircraft, scenery and utility packages.
Why is part of FSX still in French?
Remaining French text usually comes from an add-on or old files left behind during the change, not the main FSX language setting.
- Third-party aircraft and scenery: cockpit labels, manuals, configuration utilities and custom menus use the language supplied by their developer. Changing FSX does not translate them.
- Mixed boxed installation: installing English FSX into the former French folder can retain localised files that the uninstaller deliberately left behind.
- Modified Steam files: a localisation download may not correct manually replaced stock files. Back them up, then verify the installation.
- Saved or imported content: custom missions, flight descriptions and briefing files keep the language in which they were created.
For a boxed installation, the reliable cure for mixed menus is a clean English base installation followed by matching English updates. For Steam Edition, reselecting English and verifying the core files normally repairs the language package without removing extra files, although modified stock files may be overwritten.