How to install Microsoft Office 2007: Know Your Installation Options

How to install Microsoft Office 2007: Know Your Installation Options
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There are a few things to think about before installing the Office 2007 suite. Do you want to upgrade an existing version of Office or do you want to start fresh, by installing a clean version of Microsoft Office and erase any and all previous editions? Perhaps you want to do both; maybe you want to keep your old version of Microsoft Office just the way it is, while at the same time installing a clean, fresh copy of Microsoft Office 2007. Any of these solutions are options.

If you aren’t sure what the difference is between an upgrade and a clean installation, read on. An upgrade builds on the version of Microsoft Office you already have, and thus protects personal settings for AutoComplete and AutoRecover, margins, changes you’ve made to the dictionary, colors and backgrounds, rulers, page layouts, and more. Before you skip forward thinking that this is a perfect solution, an upgrade will also preserve the problems you’ve been dealing with– or those you’ve created. If you want to see Office 2007 in its untainted form, perform a clean installation.

You can install a new copy of Office while keeping your existing Office suite applications in one piece. You should choose this option if you’ve never used Office 2007 before and aren’t sure if you’ll like it. This won’t work for Outlook 2007 though, your older version of Outlook will be upgraded not matter what.

Tip:Office 2007 runs great on Windows Vista. Learn how to install Vista here.

There’s one more thing to do before installing Microsoft Office. Back up your data. I know, I know. You’ve installed software a thousand times and nothing has ever happened. Still, I’ll suggest you take a few minutes to back up your data anyway, just in case.

Next, make sure your PC meets minimum requirements:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later or Microsoft Windows Server 2003 or higher.

Computer and Processor: 500-megahertz processor or higher, 256-megabyte RAM or higher, and DVD drive. For Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 with Business Contact Manager, you’ll need 1 gigahertz and 512 megabytes of RAM.

Hard Disk: 2 gigabytes for installation, although most of this won’t be needed after installation is complete.

Monitor: 1024 x 768 resolution or higher is recommended, but 800 x 600 will work in a pinch.

Internet: Broadband connection for download and activation of products is recommended. If necessary though, you can install from a DVD and activate the product on the phone.

During installation:

  • If installing Office on a laptop, make sure it’s plugged into an electrical outlet. You don’t want to battery going dead during the installation.
  • When prompted, get Microsoft Office updates.
  • Know your administrator credentials; you’ll be prompted to inpu tthem.
  • Meet minimum requirements.
  • The installation itself should go smoothly once you’ve read the following tips;

1. Insert the Microsoft Office 2007 DVD and wait for the installation program to begin. If it does not, open My Computer, click the appropriate drive letter, and start the installation yourself.

2. If prompted to proceed with the installation, click Yes.

3. In the Enter Product Key dialog box, type your 25-character key. This key is located on the packaging. Hyphens are added automatically. Click Continue.

4. Read and accept the Microsoft Software License Terms. Click Continue.

5. In the Installation Types page, select Upgrade or Custom.

6. If you choose Upgrade, the installation continues and automatically installs. If you choose Custom, you’ll need to perform the rest of the steps listed here.

7. In the Upgrade dialog box, configure your preferences for installation.

8. Click Install Now.

9. When the installation is complete, click Close or click Register for Online Services. For more about Registration, continue to the next section.

For information about activation and registration, read Office 2007 Installation - Product Keys, Activation, Registration, and Privacy.