How to Enable or Disable Spellcheck in Windows 11
You enable or disable spellcheck in Windows 11 by adjusting settings within the Text input section of your Windows Settings app.
Windows 11’s built-in spellcheck automatically flags potential spelling errors with a red wavy underline, helping you catch typos as you type. This feature is particularly useful for documents and communications to ensure accuracy.
However, you might want to disable it if the spellchecker incorrectly flags correctly spelled words, such as proper nouns, technical terms, or words from a different language. Disabling it removes the automatic red underlines.
Turn Spellcheck On or Off Using Windows Settings
Here’s how to turn spellcheck on or off:
- Open Settings by clicking the Start button (the Windows logo) in the bottom-left corner. Or press
Windows key + Ion your keyboard. - In the Settings window, click Time & language from the left menu.
- On the right side, click Typing.
- Look for the option called Highlight misspelled words.
- Toggle the switch to On to turn spellcheck on, or Off to turn it off.
Here are pictures to help you find the right settings:
Click the Settings icon in Windows 11
Choose Time & Language in Settings
Click Typing to see spellcheck options
Toggle Highlight misspelled words on or off
Bonus: Change Spellcheck Using the Windows Registry (Advanced)
If you’re comfortable with advanced tools, you can also use the Windows Registry Editor. ⚠️ Admin privileges required. Be careful — wrong changes can cause problems. Here’s how:
- Open the Registry Editor by pressing
Windows key + R, typingregedit, and pressing Enter. - Go to this location. You can copy and paste it into the address bar at the top:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\TabletTip\1.7 - If you don’t see the 1.7 folder, right-click on TabletTip, choose New > Key, and name it 1.7.
- Click the 1.7 folder. In the right pane, right-click and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Name the new value
EnableSpellchecking. - Double-click
EnableSpellcheckingand set its value to:1to turn spellcheck ON
0to turn spellcheck OFF- Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.
Setting EnableSpellchecking in Windows Registry
Summary
- Spellcheck shows red lines under misspelled words so you can fix them quickly.
- You can easily turn it on or off in Settings > Time & language > Typing.
- Advanced users can also change this setting in the Windows Registry.
- Turn spellcheck off if it marks correct words as wrong.
- For more tips on customizing Windows 11, check out how to change your display language or how to reset the Settings app.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.
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