Windows 11 Autocorrect: Turn It Off or Keep Spell Check?

If you want to turn off autocorrect in Windows 11, open Settings > Time & language > Typing, and toggle off “Autocorrect misspelled words.” To keep spell check but disable only the automatic replacements, leave “Highlight misspelled words” on and turn off the autocorrect toggle. This guide explains the difference, how to manage both features, and what to do when they don’t work as expected.

What Autocorrect and Spell Check Actually Do

Windows 11 includes two separate but related typing features. Autocorrect automatically replaces a word it thinks is misspelled with its best guess as you type. For example, typing “teh” becomes “the” instantly. Spell check (labeled “Highlight misspelled words”) underlines suspicious words in red but leaves your text untouched until you manually fix it. Both are part of the touch keyboard and the physical keyboard experience in Windows, and they apply to apps that use the standard text input system—like Notepad, Mail, and many UWP apps. They do not affect Microsoft Word or Google Docs, because those programs have their own built-in proofing tools.

How to Turn Off Autocorrect and Spell Check

Here are the exact steps to change these settings in Windows 11 (version 22H2 and later):

Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Go to Time & language > Typing.
Under “Typing insights” or “Touch keyboard,” you’ll see two toggles:
Turn off “Autocorrect misspelled words” to stop automatic replacements.
Turn off “Highlight misspelled words” to disable the red underlines.

If you only want to disable autocorrect but keep the red squiggles, turn off the first toggle and leave the second on. The settings apply system-wide, but some apps (like browsers) have their own spell check that you must disable separately.

Why You Might Want to Turn It Off

Autocorrect can be a lifesaver for fast typists, but it often causes frustration. Common complaints include:

It changes words that are actually correct, especially names, technical terms, or slang.
It doesn’t learn your vocabulary well, so it keeps “correcting” the same word.
It can change a word after you’ve already typed it, making you retype or undo.
For multilingual users, it may apply the wrong language’s dictionary.

If you frequently type in a specialized field (like programming or medicine), autocorrect can introduce errors that are hard to notice. Turning it off gives you full control, but you lose the convenience of automatic fixes.

How to Add Words to the Dictionary

Instead of turning off autocorrect entirely, you can teach it to leave specific words alone. When a word is underlined in red, right-click it and select “Add to dictionary.” That word will no longer be flagged or corrected. You can also manage the dictionary by going to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings and looking for “Spell checking dictionary.” However, Windows doesn’t provide a simple interface to view or edit the custom dictionary—you can only add words through the right-click menu. If you accidentally add a wrong word, you’ll need to remove it by editing the default.dic file in %AppData%\Microsoft\Spelling, but this is not officially supported.

Common Problems and Fixes

Many users report that autocorrect or spell check stops working after a Windows update. Here are the most common issues and how to resolve them:

Autocorrect not working at all: Make sure the toggle is on, and check that your keyboard language is set correctly. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region and ensure your preferred language is at the top of the list.
Red underlines but no suggestions: This usually happens when the spell checker dictionary is corrupted. Try removing and re-adding your language pack.
Autocorrect changes words in all apps: Some apps (like Microsoft Edge) have their own autocorrect. Check the app’s settings to disable it there.
Settings toggles are grayed out: This can occur if you’re using a third-party keyboard or if a group policy is enforced. Try resetting the Settings app or checking with your IT admin.

If none of these work, a quick restart often clears temporary glitches.

How It Compares to Other Platforms

Windows 11’s autocorrect is more basic than what you get on a smartphone. On iOS and Android, autocorrect learns from your typing history and can be trained with shortcuts. On Windows, the feature is simpler and doesn’t offer per-app settings. Microsoft Word has its own autocorrect with a customizable list of replacements, which is far more powerful. If you rely on autocorrect for heavy writing, you might prefer to use Word’s version and disable Windows’ built-in one.

Should You Keep Spell Check On?

Keeping spell check on (with autocorrect off) is a good middle ground. You still get visual feedback for typos, but you decide when to fix them. This is especially useful for people who type in multiple languages or use technical jargon. The red underline is unobtrusive and doesn’t change your text. If you find the underlines distracting, you can turn them off too—but then you lose all spelling feedback. For most users, leaving spell check on and autocorrect off is the safest choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off autocorrect affect spell check?

No, they are independent toggles. You can turn off autocorrect while keeping spell check on, or vice versa. The settings are separate in the Typing menu.

Why does autocorrect keep changing my name?

Windows doesn’t know your name unless you add it to the dictionary. Right-click the underlined name and select “Add to dictionary” to stop it from being corrected. If it already changed the name, you’ll need to undo the change manually.

Can I turn off autocorrect for just one app?

No, Windows’ autocorrect is a system-wide setting. However, many apps like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and browsers have their own autocorrect settings that you can disable separately. For example, in Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options.

Does Windows 11 autocorrect work with physical keyboards?

Yes, it works with both physical and touch keyboards. The setting applies to any text input that uses the Windows spell checker, regardless of keyboard type.

How do I remove a word I accidentally added to the dictionary?

There is no UI to remove a word. You must manually edit the default.dic file located in %AppData%\Microsoft\Spelling\<language>. Open it in Notepad, delete the word, and save. You may need to restart the app you’re using.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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