Checking Spelling in Outlook Express

[BkrK12]

I can no longer spell check in Outlook Express. If I go to Tools menu, click on Options and then Spelling, I find that the language has gotten set to French (France). The French selection seems to be locked in and cannot be changed. I know OE supposedly uses the dictionary from Word. But, everything in Word appears to be set to English. Tried using the Help menu and got nowhere. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[exskibum]

I can no longer spell check in Outlook Express. If I go to Tools menu, click on Options and then Spelling, I find that the language has gotten set to French (France). The French selection seems to be locked in and cannot be changed. I know OE supposedly uses the dictionary from Word. But, everything in Word appears to be set to English. Tried using the Help menu and got nowhere. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Had same problem when I set up my laptop a few months ago. Weird, because both my machines run XP Pro, but IIRC, it's an issue in the newer MS Office pack that resulted from their tweaking -- something like Outlook Express relying on MS Word and a file missing or some such. I wasted a good part of a day trying to track that down around May.

I wish I could recall the site, but do a google search for the problem (e.g., for Microsoft Outlook Express Spelling Error). Turns out it's a well known problem that MS can't (or won't) fix (can't recall origin or reason), and that you have to install an add on from one of a number of providers (free). I did, and it works seamlessly.

 

[wfooshee]

Yep. Installing Microsoft Office 2007 wipes out the files used by Outlook Express English spell checker. Actually, and more technically correct, Office 2007 does not have anything it makes available to Outlook Express, as Outlook Express actually has no spell checker built-in. It can get to one provided by Works or by Office version before 2007.

Here's a page describing the problem, with a link to the freebie fix-it download.

 

[BkrK12]

Thank you both. That, indeed, sounds like the problem. My Laptop runs XP Pro and I have loaded Office 2007. Just another reason Bill Gates should get a Goiter.

EDIT: All fixed. That was so easy. Why does Bill have to make everything so User Unfriendly?