How to disable auto correct on Skype

July 4, 2013

Feb 2016 Update: A commenter alerted me that the following method may no longer work properly. Skype has been making a lot of software updates that could have altered the proper instructions.

 

The newer versions of Skype (6.5.0.443 as of this post) have an auto correct feature, which while great in theory sucks in practice. By default Skype is configured to automatically correct spelling as you type. If you are having a simple conversation it could be useful, however for anyone in a professional or technical realm it creates additional pains where you are constantly going back in a message and correcting the auto correct with the technical terms before sending a message. Lame.

Auto correct settings to the rescue! It is easy to turn off auto correct while typing with the following steps:

  • Click the Edit menu
  • Mouse over Spelling and Grammar
  • Uncheck Correct Spelling Automatically

You will still see the red squiggle for words Skype thinks are spelled incorrectly, but power is given back to you for controlling your message.

9 thoughts on “How to disable auto correct on Skype

  1. Ed Barnard (August 23, 2013)

    Thanks Ben. Auto correct on mac skype has been driving me nuts, for the reasons you mention. It’s clueless about technical terms and corrects intentional British spelling to American English.

  2. Andrea (February 10, 2016)

    I tried this, but it won’t let me uncheck it. I can see it is checked but it is faint and won’t allow me to click on it, if you know what I mean.

    1. Ben Lobaugh (blobaugh) (February 10, 2016)

      Hmm, I just ran through the instructions on the latest Skype and it does not work for me either! Skype has been making some updates.

    2. Huey (June 9, 2016)

      Hi Andrea I was the same but start writting a message and then go up to the window and you can then change settings

  3. Peter (June 5, 2016)

    Thank you very much!

  4. Matt Blanch'e (January 22, 2017)

    How do I change my Skype Business to normal Skype?

  5. mitesh (March 8, 2017)

    Thanks

  6. Lahiru (July 18, 2017)

    Thanks..!!!!

  7. SouravB (October 25, 2017)

    Thanks for the tip !!