From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a
genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

When I went to see Biddy Baxter [Blue Peter's editor] and told her I
was pregnant, her first reaction was 'Oh good, another viewer'.
- Janet Ellis, RT 2016/2/27-3/4

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On Sun, 2/15/2026 8:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)

I got the hint on what to look for, from an MS Blog entry -- "spellcheck".

MsSpellCheckingHost.exe used by Notepad.exe

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.dub C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.lex

*******

Thunderbird and Firefox have a third-party package (hunspell?). Pan NewsReader also uses Hunspell.

"You can copy the two dictionary files (xx-XX.aff and xx-XX.dic) to the
dictionaries folder in the Firefox program folder (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\)."

That gives me

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\dictionaries\en-US.aff 3,074 bytes
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\dictionaries\en-US.dic 576,688 bytes

The "Personal dictionaries" could be somewhere in the bigger (user) profile folder, but I cannot find them at the moment. I tried to use Procmon
to spot them, but didn't get a ReadFile event I needed.

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On Sun, 2/15/2026 9:46 AM, Paul wrote:

On Sun, 2/15/2026 8:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a
genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)

I got the hint on what to look for, from an MS Blog entry -- "spellcheck".

MsSpellCheckingHost.exe used by Notepad.exe

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.dub C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.lex

*******

Thunderbird and Firefox have a third-party package (hunspell?). Pan NewsReader
also uses Hunspell.

"You can copy the two dictionary files (xx-XX.aff and xx-XX.dic) to the
dictionaries folder in the Firefox program folder (C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\)."

That gives me

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\dictionaries\en-US.aff 3,074 bytes
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\dictionaries\en-US.dic 576,688 bytes

The "Personal dictionaries" could be somewhere in the bigger (user) profile folder, but I cannot find them at the moment. I tried to use Procmon
to spot them, but didn't get a ReadFile event I needed.

https://support.mozilla.org/gl/questions/1358797

"There are two ways of editing the Personal Dictionary.
Either via Thunderbird or by accessing the persdict.dat
file in the 'profile name' folder.
"

The file extension appears to be a different choice.

Paul

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)

I don't have T-Bird but using a Search Everything scan for "dict" shows
that the Dicts for SeaMonkey and Firefox are in their respective
profiles. It seems that most programs have their own dicts. My big
comp has over 100 of them.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 26/02/15 05:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)

You can install WordWeb:

https://wordweb.info/free/

and have it run in the tray, where it will always be available to spell
check words:

"WordWeb Pro can look up words in virtually any program with just one
click: just hold down the Ctrl key and right-click on the word. If you
are online, with one extra click you can also search web references, for example Wikipedia. The hotkey can be customized, or you can use a
keyboard shortcut if you prefer.

If you are editing a document you can select a synonym and replace the
look-up word. WordWeb has the option to highlight widely used synonyms,
great for helping you write clear easy-to-understand English."

Another such program is TheSage:

https://sequencepublishing.com/1/thesage/thesage.html

which seems to have a few more features but is nagware.
--
John C. I filter crossposts, various trolls & dizum.com. Doing this
makes this newsgroup easier to read & more on-topic. Take back the tech companies from India & industry from China.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/15 16:52:36, Paul wrote:

On Sun, 2/15/2026 9:46 AM, Paul wrote:

On Sun, 2/15/2026 8:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

[]

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a
genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit >>> it. Anyone know?

[]

I got the hint on what to look for, from an MS Blog entry -- "spellcheck". >>
MsSpellCheckingHost.exe used by Notepad.exe

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic
C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.dub
C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.lex

I couldn't find (using Everything) any .dic, .exc, .dub, or .lex file
with a Date Modified of this year.

*******

Thunderbird and Firefox have a third-party package (hunspell?). Pan NewsReader

[]

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\dictionaries\en-US.aff 3,074 bytes
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\dictionaries\en-US.dic 576,688 bytes

Or .aff .
[]

"There are two ways of editing the Personal Dictionary.
Either via Thunderbird or by accessing the persdict.dat
file in the 'profile name' folder.
"

The file extension appears to be a different choice.

Paul

However - thanks - I did find persdict.bat with yesterday's date.

It appears to be Thunderbird-specific.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/16 1:7:52, VanguardLH wrote:
[]

Thunderbird has its own dictionary. Ask in the
alt.comp.software.thunderbird newsgroup about its dictionary.

I found it, with Paul's help - persdict.dat .

Your unidentified web browser has its own dictionary. In Edge, for

I didn't identify (Edge), because they both behave so similarly - wavy
red underline, similar right-click menu - that I'd assumed they were
using a common software and file, part of Windows 10 itself. I have now discovered that that's not the case.
[]
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

On 2026/2/15 16:52:36, Paul wrote:

On Sun, 2/15/2026 9:46 AM, Paul wrote:

On Sun, 2/15/2026 8:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

[]

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a >>> genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit >>> it. Anyone know?

[]

I got the hint on what to look for, from an MS Blog entry -- "spellcheck". >>
MsSpellCheckingHost.exe used by Notepad.exe

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic >> C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.dub
C:\Windows\Globalization\ELS\SpellDictionaries\MsSp7en-US.lex

I couldn't find (using Everything) any .dic, .exc, .dub, or .lex file
with a Date Modified of this year.

Don't look for a Date Modified, but just look at

[Rewind/repeat:]

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic >> C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

and in your case (like in mine) probably (also) en-GB

On my (Windows 11) system most of the files are rather olda (2023),
but the .exc files are recent (14th and 16th of this month), probably
due to my use occasional use of Notepad. (I don't use any spelling
functions, but probably Notepad does by default.)

BTW, I just did a Google search on 'where are windows spelling
dictionaries' and both Google's 'AI Overview' and the results gave quite
useful information.

Anyway, as mentioned, there isn't just one single dictionary, which is
used by all programs.

As you've found, multi-platform programs like Thunderbird have to
implement their own spelling/dictionaries system, because there isn't a multi-platform one which they can use.

[...]
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/16 16:43:51, Frank Slootweg wrote:

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

[]

I couldn't find (using Everything) any .dic, .exc, .dub, or .lex file
with a Date Modified of this year.

Don't look for a Date Modified, but just look at

[Rewind/repeat:]

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic >>>> C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

and in your case (like in mine) probably (also) en-GB

As I said, I used Everything, and couldn't find _any_ - anywhere - .dic
or .exc - files with a recent-enough date.

On my (Windows 11) system most of the files are rather olda (2023),
but the .exc files are recent (14th and 16th of this month), probably
due to my use occasional use of Notepad. (I don't use any spelling
functions, but probably Notepad does by default.)

Just checked again - no .exc file dated later than 2025.
Maybe Windows 11 Notepad does use something, but W10 doesn't. Certainly,
when I tried typing some random character lumps into a text file, I
didn't get the wiggly red underline (which surprised me, as I'd thought
I would).

BTW, I just did a Google search on 'where are windows spelling dictionaries' and both Google's 'AI Overview' and the results gave quite useful information.

Anyway, as mentioned, there isn't just one single dictionary, which is
used by all programs.

No, that was my error; since they worked so similarly (between e. g. Thunderbird and Edge), I had thought they were using a common function
(I'm still fairly new to 10, so haven't learnt that much about it); I've
learnt (in this thread) that they don't.

As you've found, multi-platform programs like Thunderbird have to
implement their own spelling/dictionaries system, because there isn't a> multi-platform one which they can use.

[...]

I suppose I'd thought they were using a common one where it was
available. Either they aren't, or W10 doesn't provide one.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On Mon, 2/16/2026 11:56 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

On 2026/2/16 16:43:51, Frank Slootweg wrote:

J. P. Gilliver <G6JPG@255soft.uk> wrote:

[]

I couldn't find (using Everything) any .dic, .exc, .dub, or .lex file
with a Date Modified of this year.

Don't look for a Date Modified, but just look at

[Rewind/repeat:]

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\neutral\default.dic >>>>> C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Spelling\en-US\default.exc

and in your case (like in mine) probably (also) en-GB

As I said, I used Everything, and couldn't find _any_ - anywhere - .dic
or .exc - files with a recent-enough date.

On my (Windows 11) system most of the files are rather olda (2023),
but the .exc files are recent (14th and 16th of this month), probably
due to my use occasional use of Notepad. (I don't use any spelling
functions, but probably Notepad does by default.)

Just checked again - no .exc file dated later than 2025.

Maybe Windows 11 Notepad does use something, but W10 doesn't. Certainly,
when I tried typing some random character lumps into a text file, I
didn't get the wiggly red underline (which surprised me, as I'd thought
I would).

BTW, I just did a Google search on 'where are windows spelling
dictionaries' and both Google's 'AI Overview' and the results gave quite
useful information.

Anyway, as mentioned, there isn't just one single dictionary, which is
used by all programs.

No, that was my error; since they worked so similarly (between e. g. Thunderbird and Edge), I had thought they were using a common function
(I'm still fairly new to 10, so haven't learnt that much about it); I've learnt (in this thread) that they don't.

As you've found, multi-platform programs like Thunderbird have to
implement their own spelling/dictionaries system, because there isn't a
multi-platform one which they can use.

[...]

I suppose I'd thought they were using a common one where it was
available. Either they aren't, or W10 doesn't provide one.

I expect there is some relationship between files being put
in place, and the switch setting in the Notepad preferences.
Notepad has a spell check slider. Maybe the correct files
are pulled in, when the function is turned on or something.

And Win10 and Win11 may not be using the same kind of
executable, maybe a win32 in one case, a Metro.App in the
other case or a UWP (Universal Windows Program). I think
while running Windows 11, I could reach into the C: drive for
Windows 10 and run the program on that partition as my Notepad.

When you see the red wiggly lines, the medicine is working...

Paul
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 26/02/15 05:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

No, it's not. indows 10 does not have a comprehensive, built-in
dictionary app for looking up word definitions, though it includes a spell-check dictionary for autocorrect.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

The dictionary that's responsible for the wiggly red underlining is the spell-check dictionary that's built into Thunderbird.

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)

Google's Gemini says the following: ____________________________________________________________________________
To edit your personal dictionary in Thunderbird, open a new message
"Write" window, click "Spelling," and select "Edit" in the personal
dictionary area to remove or add words. Alternatively, close
Thunderbird, locate the persdict.dat file in your profile folder (Help >
More Troubleshooting Information > Open Folder), and edit it directly
with a text editor.

Methods to Edit Your Dictionary

- Via the Compose Window (Easiest):
1. Click Write to start a new email.
2. Click the Spelling button in the toolbar (or right-click a word and
select check spelling).
3. In the dialogue box, click Edit under the "Personal Dictionary" area.
4. You can then remove words or add new ones to your user dictionary.

- Via the Profile Folder (Direct Edit):
1. Close Thunderbird entirely.
2. Go to the menu (|orC#-i) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Under "Application Basics," click Open Folder (or "Show in Finder" on macOS).
4. Locate the file named persdict.dat.
5. Open this file with a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit) to add,
remove, or edit words manually.

-Adding New Languages:
If you need to change the dictionary language itself, navigate to
Settings > Composition > Spelling to select or install new language dictionaries.

- Important Notes
1. You can only directly edit your personal dictionary, not the main application dictionary.
2. Ensure Thunderbird is closed before editing persdict.dat directly to
avoid file corruption.

HTH.
--
John C. I filter crossposts, various trolls & dizum.com. Doing this
makes this newsgroup easier to read & more on-topic. Take back the tech companies from India & industry from China.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/18 12:59:53, John C. wrote:

On 26/02/15 05:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

No, it's not. indows 10 does not have a comprehensive, built-in
dictionary app for looking up word definitions, though it includes a spell-check dictionary for autocorrect.

Oh, I wasn't expecting a full dictionary with definitions; it was just
that the behaviour when e. g. filling in a webform, and when composing
in Thunderbird, was so similar, that I thought they were using the same software and file. But, as I've discovered in this thread, Thunderbird
at least is using its own dictionary. (I'm interested that you say
"indows 10" _does_ have one for autocorrect; where is it? And what uses
it? Not Notepad, as I discovered.)
[]

To edit your personal dictionary in Thunderbird, open a new message
"Write" window, click "Spelling," and select "Edit" in the personal dictionary area to remove or add words. Alternatively, close

Thanks - good to know that route!

Thunderbird, locate the persdict.dat file in your profile folder (Help >
More Troubleshooting Information > Open Folder), and edit it directly
with a text editor.

Methods to Edit Your Dictionary

- Via the Compose Window (Easiest):
1. Click Write to start a new email.

Or if you have the compose window open anyway (I just tried it while
composing this).

2. Click the Spelling button in the toolbar (or right-click a word and
select check spelling).
3. In the dialogue box, click Edit under the "Personal Dictionary" area.
4. You can then remove words or add new ones to your user dictionary.

- Via the Profile Folder (Direct Edit):
1. Close Thunderbird entirely.
2. Go to the menu (|orC#-i) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Under "Application Basics," click Open Folder (or "Show in Finder" on macOS).
4. Locate the file named persdict.dat.
5. Open this file with a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit) to add, remove, or edit words manually.

Or find it with Everything, if you have that (doesn't everybody!).

-Adding New Languages:
If you need to change the dictionary language itself, navigate to
Settings > Composition > Spelling to select or install new language dictionaries.

Again, good to know. (Though I don't _think_ I'll be composing in
Thunderbird in other than English!)

- Important Notes
1. You can only directly edit your personal dictionary, not the main application dictionary.
2. Ensure Thunderbird is closed before editing persdict.dat directly to
avoid file corruption.

HTH.

It does.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

J. P. Gilliver wrote:

John C. wrote:

J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

No, it's not. indows 10

Should have been "Windows 10". My keyboard is getting long in the tooth
and sometimes doesn't type a letter when I press the key.

does not have a comprehensive, built-in
dictionary app for looking up word definitions, though it includes a
spell-check dictionary for autocorrect.

From Gemini when I Googled for the info: ________________________________________________________________________________

Windows 10 does not have a single, universal dictionary application.
Instead, it features a " Custom Dictionary" for spellcheck, accessible
via Settings > Privacy > Inking & typing personalization > Custom
dictionary, or a definition lookup tool within the Microsoft Edge
browser (right-click a word > "Define".

Here is where to find them:

- System/Typing Dictionary (Personalized): To view or clear words you've
added to your Windows dictionary, go to Settings > Privacy & security >
Inking & typing personalization > Custom dictionary.
- Microsoft Edge Dictionary: While reading in Edge (PDFs, Reading View), highlight a word and right-click to select Define to see definitions and synonyms.
- Microsoft Word/Office Dictionary: If you are looking for the
spellchecker dictionary, it is located within Word under File > Options

Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.

Note: The main system dictionary is a binary file and cannot be manually edited, but the "Custom Dictionary" allows you to manage words you have previously added to the spellcheck dictionary. ________________________________________________________________________________

I loath and refuse to use M$ Office programs of any kind, so on my
system that last one isn't available. In fact, since I use Edge Blocker
to hide that crappy M$ "Edge" browser, neither is the second one.

For an actual dictionary that provides definitions, I use WordWeb:

https://wordweb.info/free/

Oh, I wasn't expecting a full dictionary with definitions; it was just
that the behaviour when e. g. filling in a webform, and when composing
in Thunderbird, was so similar, that I thought they were using the same software and file. But, as I've discovered in this thread, Thunderbird
at least is using its own dictionary. (I'm interested that you say
"indows 10" _does_ have one for autocorrect; where is it? And what uses
it? Not Notepad, as I discovered.)
[]

To edit your personal dictionary in Thunderbird, open a new message
"Write" window, click "Spelling," and select "Edit" in the personal
dictionary area to remove or add words. Alternatively, close

Thanks - good to know that route!

Thunderbird, locate the persdict.dat file in your profile folder (Help >
More Troubleshooting Information > Open Folder), and edit it directly
with a text editor.

Methods to Edit Your Dictionary

- Via the Compose Window (Easiest):
1. Click Write to start a new email.

Or if you have the compose window open anyway (I just tried it while composing this).

2. Click the Spelling button in the toolbar (or right-click a word and
select check spelling).
3. In the dialogue box, click Edit under the "Personal Dictionary" area.
4. You can then remove words or add new ones to your user dictionary.

- Via the Profile Folder (Direct Edit):
1. Close Thunderbird entirely.
2. Go to the menu (|orC#-i) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Under "Application Basics," click Open Folder (or "Show in Finder" on
macOS).
4. Locate the file named persdict.dat.
5. Open this file with a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit) to add,
remove, or edit words manually.

Or find it with Everything, if you have that (doesn't everybody!).

-Adding New Languages:
If you need to change the dictionary language itself, navigate to
Settings > Composition > Spelling to select or install new language
dictionaries.

Again, good to know. (Though I don't _think_ I'll be composing in
Thunderbird in other than English!)

- Important Notes
1. You can only directly edit your personal dictionary, not the main
application dictionary.
2. Ensure Thunderbird is closed before editing persdict.dat directly to
avoid file corruption.

HTH.

It does.

--
John C. No ad, CD, cripple, demo, nag, pay, pirated, share, spy,
time-limited, trial or web wares for me please. I filter crossposts,
various trolls & dizum.com. This makes ACF easier to read. Take back
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From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/19 13:27:38, John C. wrote:
[]

Windows 10 does not have a single, universal dictionary application.
Instead, it features a " Custom Dictionary" for spellcheck, accessible
via Settings > Privacy > Inking & typing personalization > Custom
dictionary, or a definition lookup tool within the Microsoft Edge
browser (right-click a word > "Define".

Here is where to find them:

Thanks for these.

- System/Typing Dictionary (Personalized): To view or clear words you've added to your Windows dictionary, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Inking & typing personalization > Custom dictionary.

That was the only one I'd be worried about - I'm always wary of "add to dictionary" (or, this being Microsoft, probably more likely "Add To
Dictionary" - they do love their "title case") type prompts, as it's so
easy to accidentally add a wrong thing, and then have little clue how to
undo it.

- Microsoft Edge Dictionary: While reading in Edge (PDFs, Reading View), highlight a word and right-click to select Define to see definitions and synonyms.
- Microsoft Word/Office Dictionary: If you are looking for the
spellchecker dictionary, it is located within Word under File > Options

Proofing > Custom Dictionaries.

Note: The main system dictionary is a binary file and cannot be manually edited, but the "Custom Dictionary" allows you to manage words you have previously added to the spellcheck dictionary. ________________________________________________________________________________

I loath and refuse to use M$ Office programs of any kind, so on my

you can blame that keyboard again if you want to :-)

I use Office 2003 on the rare occasions when I want to create that sort
of document.

system that last one isn't available. In fact, since I use Edge Blocker
to hide that crappy M$ "Edge" browser, neither is the second one.

I used to mess about with assorted browsers; I just CBA these days.
Whatever it's collecting about me, there are far worse spies.

For an actual dictionary that provides definitions, I use WordWeb:

https://wordweb.info/free/

Thanks, noted. (Though I'd probably use OED, Chambers, or Wiktionary.)

Oh, I wasn't expecting a full dictionary with definitions; it was just
that the behaviour when e. g. filling in a webform, and when composing
in Thunderbird, was so similar, that I thought they were using the same
software and file. But, as I've discovered in this thread, Thunderbird
at least is using its own dictionary. (I'm interested that you say
"indows 10" _does_ have one for autocorrect; where is it? And what uses
it? Not Notepad, as I discovered.)
[]

To edit your personal dictionary in Thunderbird, open a new message
"Write" window, click "Spelling," and select "Edit" in the personal
dictionary area to remove or add words. Alternatively, close

Thanks - good to know that route!

Yes. I would have assumed that "Edit" was something to do with
correcting the currently-being-written text, not fixing the dictionary!

Thunderbird, locate the persdict.dat file in your profile folder (Help > >>> More Troubleshooting Information > Open Folder), and edit it directly
with a text editor.

Methods to Edit Your Dictionary

- Via the Compose Window (Easiest):
1. Click Write to start a new email.

Or if you have the compose window open anyway (I just tried it while
composing this).

2. Click the Spelling button in the toolbar (or right-click a word and
select check spelling).
3. In the dialogue box, click Edit under the "Personal Dictionary" area. >>> 4. You can then remove words or add new ones to your user dictionary.

- Via the Profile Folder (Direct Edit):
1. Close Thunderbird entirely.
2. Go to the menu (|orC#-i) > Help > More Troubleshooting Information.
3. Under "Application Basics," click Open Folder (or "Show in Finder" on >>> macOS).
4. Locate the file named persdict.dat.
5. Open this file with a text editor (like Notepad or TextEdit) to add,
remove, or edit words manually.

Or find it with Everything, if you have that (doesn't everybody!).

-Adding New Languages:
If you need to change the dictionary language itself, navigate to
Settings > Composition > Spelling to select or install new language
dictionaries.

Again, good to know. (Though I don't _think_ I'll be composing in
Thunderbird in other than English!)

- Important Notes
1. You can only directly edit your personal dictionary, not the main
application dictionary.
2. Ensure Thunderbird is closed before editing persdict.dat directly to
avoid file corruption.

HTH.

It does.

--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

As we journey through life, discarding baggage along the way, we should
keep an iron grip, to the very end, on the capacity for silliness. It
preserves the soul from desiccation. - Humphrey Lyttelton quoted by
Barry Cryer in Radio Times 10-16 November 2012
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

J. P. Gilliver wrote:

John C. wrote:
[]

Whatever it's collecting about me, there are far worse spies.

For an actual dictionary that provides definitions, I use WordWeb:

https://wordweb.info/free/

Thanks, noted. (Though I'd probably use OED, Chambers, or Wiktionary.)

They're great if you want to use a web service, but sometimes I'm
offline -I plug both my cable modem and router into a power strip with a button.

Sometimes I don't like having the TLAs spying on me.
--
John C. I filter crossposts, various trolls & dizum.com. Doing this
makes this newsgroup easier to read & more on-topic. Take back the tech companies from India & industry from China.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2/15/2026 9:53 PM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

I am interested in the answer as well. But....

I always disable this feature. :)
--
@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/20 13:10:20, John C. wrote:

J. P. Gilliver wrote:

John C. wrote:
[]

Whatever it's collecting about me, there are far worse spies.

For an actual dictionary that provides definitions, I use WordWeb:

https://wordweb.info/free/

Thanks, noted. (Though I'd probably use OED, Chambers, or Wiktionary.)

They're great if you want to use a web service, but sometimes I'm
offline -I plug both my cable modem and router into a power strip with a button.

Sometimes I don't like having the TLAs spying on me.

Ah, I had assumed it was another online one; I hadn't realised you could
get a whole definition-providing dictionary in less than 30M (download;
I don't know how much space it's occupying now I've installed it). Thanks!
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Twitter makes you despair of people you don't know, and Facebook makes
you despise people you do know. - Lucy Porter on @Room 101@, 2016
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/20 13:47:33, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:

On 2/15/2026 9:53 PM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a
genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

I am interested in the answer as well. But....

I hadn't realised that, though Thunderbird and Edge _look_ the same, TB actually uses its own - and clicking "Spelling" (in its compose window)
then Edit will give you access to it.

I always disable this feature. :)

Now you know the above (assuming you use Thunderbird), you may not need
to. (The location/means of access to another dictionary is given in
another post in this thread; I haven't memorised that one.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Twitter makes you despair of people you don't know, and Facebook makes
you despise people you do know. - Lucy Porter on @Room 101@, 2016
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2/15/2026 5:53 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

As I type (e. g. in this compose window in Thunderbird, or in a webform
- but not, I've just checked, in Notepad!), words mis-spelt are
underlined in wiggly red; I presume this is something built-in to
Windows 10.

Right-clicking on such a word brings up a menu, including suggestions
and also Add To Dictionary.

I've always been wary of such, in case I add something that was just a genuine mistype, as I don't know where the dictionary is nor how to edit
it. Anyone know?

(I've just discovered that right-clicking on the word after adding - as
I just did with "webform" above - provides an Undo Add To Dictionary
option. But of course that will only work straight after the adding, not
much later, as for example might happen when you added a genuine
mis-spelling you thought was right and only much later discover wasn't.)

Ode to a Spell Checker

I have a spelling checker
I disk covered four my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot see.

Eye ran this poem threw it.
Your sure real glad two no.
Its very polished in its weigh,
My checker tolled me sew.

A checker is a blessing.
It freeze yew lodes of thyme.
It helps me right awl stiles two reed,
And aides me when aye rime.

Each frays comes posed up on my screen
Eye trussed too bee a joule.
The checker pours o'er every word
To cheque sum spelling rule.

Bee fore wee rote with checkers
Hour spelling was inn deck line,
Butt now when wee dew have a laps,
Wee are not maid too wine.

And now bee cause my spelling
Is checked with such grate flare,
There are know faults in awl this peace,
Of nun eye am a wear.

To rite with care is quite a feet
Of witch won should be proud,
And wee mussed dew the best wee can,
Sew flaws are knot aloud.

That's why eye brake in two averse
Caws Eye dew want too please.
Sow glad eye yam that aye did bye
This soft wear four pea seas.
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2026/2/21 0:33:21, Bennett Price wrote:
[]

Ode to a Spell Checker

I have a spelling checker
I disk covered four my PC.
It plane lee marks four my revue
Miss steaks aye can knot see.

[]
I haven't seen this for ages - nice to see it again; and, I don't think
I've seen as many verses as this before. I've saved it (as chequer.txt
!): do you know who originally wrote it, and/or when? I like to give
credit where I can. (Hang on: I'll ask Google AI ... It says "Jerrold H.
Zar, a professor at Northern Illinois University." Doesn't give a date,
though says "gained popularity in the 1990s" (or when I rephrased the
question "was written in the _early_ 1990s" [my emphasis]).) The version
I know starts
Eye have a spelling chequer (or check her),
It cane with my pea sea.

One version at https://arnold.hosted.uark.edu/Other/ZarOde.pdf .
Another is of course called AN OWED TO SPELL CHEQUER.

If you like this ode, you'll probably love "The Chaos", a piece about
the anomalies of English punctuation, actually written by a Dutchman! in
1922. An example is at https://ncf.idallen.com/english.html - it's heavy
going to read _because_ of the pronunciations, but the above also
includes links to a couple of readings.
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/<1985 MB++G()ALIS-Ch++(p)Ar++T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Don't cling to a mistake just because you spent a long time making it (Anon) --- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 26/02/20 09:27 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

On 2026/2/20 13:10:20, John C. wrote:

J. P. Gilliver wrote:

John C. wrote:
[]

Whatever it's collecting about me, there are far worse spies.

For an actual dictionary that provides definitions, I use WordWeb:

https://wordweb.info/free/

Thanks, noted. (Though I'd probably use OED, Chambers, or Wiktionary.)

They're great if you want to use a web service, but sometimes I'm
offline -I plug both my cable modem and router into a power strip with a
button.

Sometimes I don't like having the TLAs spying on me.

Ah, I had assumed it was another online one; I hadn't realised you could
get a whole definition-providing dictionary in less than 30M (download;
I don't know how much space it's occupying now I've installed it). Thanks!

YW. Glad I could help. 80)>
--
John C. I filter crossposts, various trolls & dizum.com. Doing this
makes this newsgroup easier to read & more on-topic. Take back the tech companies from India & industry from China.

--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.comp.os.windows-10

On 2/21/2026 1:33 AM, J. P. Gilliver wrote:

I always disable this feature. :)

Now you know the above (assuming you use Thunderbird), you may not need
to. (The location/means of access to another dictionary is given in
another post in this thread; I haven't memorised that one.)

I think it's better to double-check or even triple-check an email before hitting the "Send" button. It's a good habbit. If you are unsure of
something, use Google with A.I. for spell-checking or maybe
grammar-checking.

Built-in features are not always good nor useful.
--
@~@ Simplicity is Beauty! Remain silent! Drink, Blink, Stretch!
/ v \ May the Force and farces be with you! Live long and prosper!!
/( _ )\ https://sites.google.com/site/changmw/
^ ^ https://github.com/changmw/changmw
--- Synchronet 3.21b-Linux NewsLink 1.2