All you need to install is the "proofing tools" from the old version of
Word.

If you install from from Word95/97, you'll likely run into a slight
problem, with a fairly easy fix.

For Office/Word97 on WinXP, this seems to be the common cause:
Restoring csapi3t1.dll file
How To: Fix spell checking in Outlook Express 6
http://www.tech-pro.co.uk/howto_010.html
Spell check not working in XP Outlook Express
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/spellcheck.htm


--

Mike - http://pages.prodigy.net/michael_santovec/techhelp.htm



"James" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:r_ydneFvCfWw4h3VnZ2dnUVZ_tbinZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> I am aware that this feature is proprietary with Office but is it
> possible to install and use just an old app like Word 95 or 97 to
> utilize this feature? I really don't want or need any of the other
> Office apps. I've tried many of the non-MS utilities and frankly none
> are as convenient as the Spelling feature in OE.
>