Possible Fix for nonfunctioning spell check in Word 2007?

I have struggled with this problem and think I found the answer. It seems
that Office 2007 disables the english dictionary. I've read that is because
it may conflict with older Outlook Express. To turn the spell check english
dictionary back on goto:
Microsoft Office Button>
Word Options>
Ad Ins>
Manage (select disabled items)>
Click on the english dictionary and re-enable it>
Close Word and restart.
My speel check now works fine.

I want to try this possible fix, but I'm unclear as to what you mean by
"Microsoft Office Button;" where is it? What program are you in so that you
can click that button. I feel rather stupid asking you this, but I can't
think of where the buttons are.

My issues are that my MSN Hotmail account does not recognize my MS Word
dictionary so I cannot perform Spell Check in emails.

[perseverance5468]

I don't normally post to these things, just read them when I need info. So I've been to at least a dozen help forums and done everything from a-z in the past month or so it hasn't been working. Today I googled "fix Word spellcheck" (for randomness sake) and came to your post. I can't believe that it was just that simple to fix! Good work. Someone should pat you on the back for fixing another one of Microsoft's screw-ups.

[tpartridge]

I tried about 5 fixes, none of which worked, then stumbled around until something did.

Open Word 2007
click on the Office Button
Click on Word Options
Proofing
Custom dictionaries
uncheck Custom Dictionaries
Go to Dictionary language
pick English US
Ok
shut down restart do cartwheels cuz spell check FINALLY works!

[Summer Falls]

I was working on a 500 page manuscript and my spell check quit working. Thanks to you, my problem was solved. This solution is easy! After many months of trying everything else, you came to my rescue.