How to Turn Off Auto-Correction on Windows 11

While auto-correction is a staple feature on smartphones, most users are surprised to learn that Windows 11 includes a system-wide auto-correct engine for physical keyboards as well. If you frequently mistype words in an email or a document, Windows will silently fix them in the background.

However, if you are a programmer writing code, an author using stylistic language, or someone who frequently types in a second language or uses industry-specific acronyms, this feature becomes incredibly disruptive. Windows will forcefully change your intended acronyms into entirely different English words, forcing you to constantly hit backspace to undo the software’s “help.”

To regain total control over what appears on your screen, you must disable the auto-correction feature in the Windows 11 settings.

How to Turn Off System-Wide Auto-Correction

The auto-correct toggle is located within the typing preferences, separated from the general keyboard hardware settings.

1. Click the Start button (the Windows logo) on your taskbar.
2. Click the Settings icon (the gear). Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + I.
3. Look at the left-hand sidebar and click on Time & language.
4. In the main right-hand panel, click on Typing.
5. Look at the very top of the Typing settings menu. You will see a toggle switch labeled “Autocorrect misspelled words.”
6. Flip this toggle to the OFF position.

Windows will instantly stop forcefully altering your text. Whatever keys you press will exactly match the characters that appear on the screen.

How to Turn Off Spell Checking (The Red Squiggly Lines)

Turning off auto-correction stops Windows from changing your words, but it does not stop Windows from judging them. If you type a slang word, Windows will still aggressively underline it with a jagged red line to indicate a spelling error.

If you find these red squiggly lines distracting and want a completely clean writing environment, you must disable the spell checker as well.

1. Return to Settings > Time & language > Typing (the same menu as above).
2. Look directly below the Autocorrect toggle.
3. You will see a second toggle switch labeled “Highlight misspelled words.”
4. Flip this toggle to the OFF position.

Now, Windows will neither fix your words nor underline them.

Why Does Microsoft Word Still Auto-Correct?

If you followed the steps above, but you notice that Microsoft Word is still auto-correcting your typos, your computer is not broken. You have simply encountered a classic software hierarchy issue.

The Windows 11 settings you just changed govern the Operating System. They control what happens when you type in Notepad, the Windows Search bar, or Google Chrome. However, robust programs like Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel completely ignore the operating system’s rules. They have their own, independent auto-correct engines built directly into the software.

To stop auto-correction in Microsoft Word, you must disable it inside Word itself:

1. Open Microsoft Word.
2. Click File in the top left, then click Options at the bottom.
3. Click Proofing in the left sidebar.
4. Click the AutoCorrect Options… button.
5. Uncheck the box labeled “Replace text as you type.”
6. Click OK.