Much to the delight of Francophiles everywhere, Microsoft's Office 2007 switches Outlook Express spell-checkers to work only in French. Those disposed to communicate in other languages are being advised to use third-party programs.

Microsoft has confirmed the problem here, and explains it comes about when the Office 2007 installation process removes older spell-checker files. The notice invites users to solicit advice about third-party spell-checkers on Microsoft's community forum.

The change, which dates back to December or earlier, has proved vexing to speakers of other languages. "Doesn't seem to be a fix at this time nor a timetable for one," one Outlook Express user writes on a Microsoft forum. "Go figure." ®

Related stories

• Microsoft squeezes out early release of 2007 Office SP1 (12 December 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/12/12/microsoft_office_sp1/

• Israelis offer 'British' pukka-lingo ware to Blighty (1 October 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/10/01/israeli_brit_lingo_software_offered_to_uk/

• VSTO For Mere Mortals (13 March 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/03/13/vsto_mere_mortals/

• Mac or PC? You've seen the ads, how do you choose for business? (21 February 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/02/21/mac_vs_pc/

• Microsoft relaxes virtual SQL Server terms (21 February 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/02/21/sql_server_virtualization/

• Microsoft dabbles in Office rental (1 February 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/02/01/microsoft_offce_rental/

• Vista and Office 2007 spin tales from the Underground (26 January 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/01/26/vista_office/

• Office 2007 faces snail's pace migration (23 January 2007)

  https://www.theregister.com/2007/01/23/microsoft_office_2007_uptake/

• Software's unfinished business for 2007 (27 December 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/12/27/2006_review_year_ahead/