Last weekend while working on a particularly important paper, Office 2007 spell check stopped working. After repairing and reinstalling Word 2007, and still not solving the problem. I search for a solution and found the following:
2. Click OK, then the following will appear
3. Backup the registry: file|export
Exported to a folder that is easy to locate and save backup with the date in the file name
4. Make your way down until you see the following at the bottom of the window:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\SharedTools\
ProofingTools\1.0\Override\en-US
5. There should be at least two files in the folder in addition to the default shown. Delete all files except the default, which cannot be deleted
6. Close the window and restart the computer
7. Office spell check should work.
Keegan.
John Keegan
13 responses so far ↓
Shaylyn // August 20, 2008 at 9:25 am |
I did not have the override as listed, but the following worked:
Delete the registry key “Word” located at:
KEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\
Word
Launch Word 2007 and it will rebuild the key.
Hope it works for those still out there looking for answers!
(credit: kevindevin.com)
SW
Karen // September 29, 2009 at 12:52 pm |
I tried the first suggestion and did not find the override, so then I tried Shaylyn’s route …worked perfectly. I want to thank you both since I needed the visual blueprint to dare to try this. After spending hours reinstalling the program to no avail, this took all of a minute and presto…spellcheck was back.
Lisa // October 31, 2009 at 7:40 pm |
Shaylyn’s suggestion worked for me too! I deleted the “word” registry and reopened the program. All is well now!
Thanksye // September 18, 2008 at 10:52 am |
This worked fantastically. The issue was for both Outlook and Word. Once I removed the keys listed, all was working again. Removing the key for Word did not resole the issue. It would probably resolve the issue if it was Word specific though.
Either way, saved a ton of time over uninstall and then install.
Fabio Schmidt // October 22, 2008 at 9:34 am |
Thanks for this solution, I searched everywhere and couldn’t find a good document even it the microsoft website, your instrction resolved my issue, which was getting me very mad for not being able to use the spell check.
Kim // November 7, 2008 at 6:51 pm |
I am having issues with my spell checker not working, when I try to follow the instructions: Start, Run, (I type) Regedit then okay, a window pops up saying “regedit is not a valid Win32 application”
I’m not sure how to get to that HKEY_CURRENT_USER etc,
thanks!
Ben // December 13, 2008 at 9:21 am |
Removal of ‘Word’ from the registry as instructed above worked perfectly for me. Now I have my spell checker back! Thanks!!!
britron // March 15, 2009 at 1:59 pm |
Here is the fix from Microsoft……..it works and takes about 2 mins…after weeks of aggravation. My mail spell check was set for French and couldn’t get it to go to English.:::::::
I would like you to know that downloading a spell check program will resolve the issue. I have found the following web links from where you can download the free spell check program for Outlook Express:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2952
(After opening the above link, click on the any one of the file named “MajorGeeks”)
http://www.tinyspell.m6.net/
(After opening the above link, click on the “Download” link located at the right side of the page. That will show you the file that needs to download. Then download any one of the file shown in the website)
MJ // March 25, 2009 at 11:34 am |
Delete the registry key “Word” located at:
KEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\
Word
Launch Word 2007 and it will rebuild the key.
this was worked for me, thanks
Peter // May 26, 2009 at 3:38 pm |
Just a quick THANK YOU! After hours searching for the solution your directions fixed it in 2 minutes!
Kashif Mehmood // July 18, 2009 at 4:45 am |
I have struggled with this problem and think I found the answer. It seems that Office 2007 disables the english dictionary. I’ve read that is because it may conflict with older Outlook Express. To turn the spell check english dictionary back on goto:
Microsoft Office Button>
Word Options>
Ad Ins>
Manage (select disabled items)>
Click on the english dictionary and re-enable it>
Close Word and restart.
My speel check now works fine.
Kelly // August 11, 2009 at 12:28 pm |
THANK YOU for posting this. I tried all of MS’s suggestions in vain…was a little nervous to tamper w/ my registry, but your great post walked me through it w/ no problem (and a backup just to be safe). I really appreciate it — and I’ve put a link to this blog on Twitter.
Bravo!
steve // November 4, 2009 at 10:48 pm |
deleting WORK key worked perfectly