Office Settings & Configuration

How to Disable Word Translate and Dictionary During Exams

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 871 views

Question details

A school administrator needs to restrict access to the Translate and Dictionary features in Microsoft Word during exams, ensuring students cannot manually re-enable them.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Setting up secure testing environments for exams where translation and dictionary tools are prohibited.
Observed behavior: Currently, students have access to Translate and Dictionary tools. The goal is to disable these specific tools while keeping French language support, spell-checking, and automatic correction fully functional.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrative privileges on the target computers or active directory environment to modify Group Policies, Microsoft Intune settings, or the Windows Registry.

Solution 1Recommended

Disable Word Translation Using the Windows Registry

Manually edit the Windows Registry to disable the translation feature for Microsoft Office 16.0 applications.

This method involves modifying the registry keys directly. It is effective for individual machines or testing the configuration before a network-wide rollout.

Open Registry Editor

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type 'regedit', and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.

Navigate to the Translation Key

Go to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\research\translation\usemt.

Modify the Value

Locate the 'usemt' DWORD. Double-click it and set its value data to 0.

Restart Microsoft Word

Close the Registry Editor and restart Microsoft Word to apply the new restrictions.

Registry Modification Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. Always back up the registry or create a system restore point before making changes.

Solution 2

Deploy Restrictions via Group Policy or Intune

Use Microsoft Intune or Group Policy to enforce the translation restrictions across multiple school computers automatically.

Solution 3

Seek Advanced Customization for Dictionary Disablement

Since there is no native out-of-the-box policy to disable the Dictionary while keeping spell-check active, further developer consultation may be required.

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1. Visit the Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to find the correct version for your operating system.
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3. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up your new office suite.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable the Dictionary without turning off spell check in Word?

Currently, there is no out-of-the-box policy in Microsoft Word that disables the Dictionary tool while completely preserving language tools, spelling, and automatic correction. Custom scripts or advanced Office development solutions may be required.

How do I access the Registry Editor to disable Translation?

Press the Windows key + R, type 'regedit' into the Run dialog, and press Enter. You must have administrator privileges on the computer to open and modify the Registry Editor.

Does disabling translation via the registry affect other Office applications?

Yes, because the registry key targets the Office common research tools, modifying the 'usemt' value may also disable translation features across other Microsoft Office 16.0 applications, such as Excel and PowerPoint.

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