WD97: Spelling, Grammar Not Available in Word Running on Window 2000 or Windows XP (257643)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 97 for Windows, when used with:
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows 2000
    • the operating system: Microsoft Windows XP
This article was previously published under Q257643
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to use the spelling or grammar features in Microsoft Word 97, nothing happens and you do not receive an error message. Also, all of the options on the Spelling and Grammar tabs in the Tools dialog box are unavailable (dimmed). (To view the Spelling and Grammar tabs, click Options on the Tools menu.)

CAUSE

This problem occurs with users who are members of the local Users group if the Users group does not have sufficient permissions to the following registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Spelling

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Grammar

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

NOTE: You must be an administrator or have administrative rights to perform this procedure.

To correct this problem, use the appropriate steps to set up sufficient permissions on your version of Windows:

Windows 2000

  1. Quit Word. Quit Microsoft Outlook if you are using Word as your e-mail editor.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type Regedt32.exe and then click OK.
  3. Select the first registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Spelling

  4. On the Security menu, click Permissions.
  5. Click Advanced.
  6. In the Permissions Entries box, click the Users group, and then click the View/Edit button.
  7. Click to select the Allow check box for the Set Value and Create Subkeys permissions.
  8. Click OK twice.
  9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the second registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Grammar

  10. Quit Registry Editor.

Windows XP

  1. Quit Word. Quit Microsoft Outlook if you are using Word as your e-mail editor.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run. In the Open box, type Regedt32.exe and then click OK.
  3. Select the first registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Spelling

  4. On the Edit menu, click Permissions.
  5. Click Advanced.
  6. In the Permissions Entries box, click the Users group, and then click the View/Edit button.
  7. Click to select the Allow check box for the Set Value and Create Subkeys permissions.
  8. Click OK twice.
  9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the second registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Proofing Tools\Grammar

  10. Quit Registry Editor.
The Spelling and Grammar features will be available (not dimmed) and will work as expected the next time that you start Word.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/22/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbenv kbnofix kbproof KB257643
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