So you are anxious to install Microsoft Office 2010 and get started using it! These instructions show you how to install your new software.
Want to keep your old Office software just in case you don’t like 2010? You can! I’ll show you how to install and run two versions of Office side-by-side. And look for my money-saving tip for buying the full-version when the trial runs out.
Installing Office 2010 software
Boxed Software: If you bought the boxed version, all you need to do to install Microsoft Office is insert the installation disk into your computer’s DVD drive and follow the on-screen instructions. But read through this page so you know what options to select if you want to run it side-by-side with a previous version of Office.
Downloaded Software: If you downloaded either the free-trial or the full-version, follow this tutorial to install Microsoft Office 2010. (You may want to print out these instructions before closing your browser.):
- Find the installation file on your desktop, or download it now.
- Print the screen that shows your License Product Key (it is a 25-digit number). You must have the product key to install the software. If you purchased the software, the key may be printed on your receipt or included in your verification email.
- Close all open programs.
- Double-click the free trial installation file located on your desktop. Installation begins immediately. (If the installation does not start, you may need to turn off your firewall.)
- Enter the 25-digit product key obtained in Step 2, then click Continue.
- Read and accept the free trial download License Agreement, then click Continue.
- (Optional) If you do not want to install all of the Office programs, click the Customize tab. Click Not Available for any programs you do not want to install.
- Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
NOTE: If you have a previous version of Microsoft Office installed, you will be presented with an Upgrade screen.
Install Microsoft Office 2010 Alongside a Previous Version
You must decide whether you want to install the Office 2010 free trial alongside Office 2007 or older versions, or overwrite the previous version(s).
Yes, you can run the two versions side-by-side!
How to Save Hundreds of Dollars when you Buy Office 2010
Microsoft no longer offers upgrade pricing for previous owners of their Office software. But you can save a lot of money by buying a downgraded version of Office 2010 and keeping some of your old Office programs.
For instance, if you already own Microsoft Office 2007 Professional, you can buy the Office 2010 Home & Office version and save over $200. When installing it, select to keep the 2007 version Microsoft Access and Publisher. You still have the equivalent of the Professional suite, but without the extra expense.
And you can save over $300 by downgrading to Office 2010 Home & Student!
Make the decision whether you want to keep any old Office programs, then follow these steps (if you aren’t sure what to do, install Microsoft Office 2010 alongside 2007):
Tech Note: You cannot have two different versions of Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Sharepoint Workspace installed on the same computer. You must select which version you want during installation.
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To completely uninstall all previous versions of Microsoft Office and install Office 2010, click Upgrade. (Caution: this option deletes all previous versions of Microsoft Office software you have installed on your computer.) Installation begins immediately. Follow the prompts to complete installation.
-OR-
To install Microsoft Office 2010 alongside a previous version, click Customize. Click the Upgrade tab, then choose an upgrade option from the list.
- Click the File Location tab. Enter a new file location for the Office 2010 free trial download installation so it does not overwrite your Office 2007 files. (I named the new directory “Microsoft Office 2010 Trial” so it would be easy to find.)
- Click Install Now.
Starting Microsoft Office programs
All of the Office programs installed on your computer are available from the start menu.
For instance, to use Word 2010, click Start > Microsoft Office > Microsoft Word 2010.
Switching between Microsoft Office versions
You can switch between different versions of each program, but you cannot have both versions open at the same time. When switching, Microsoft Office has to install certain files needed for that particular version. This can take several minutes.
Need more help? For additional instructions about running multiple versions of Office on the same computer, read the Microsoft Knowledge Base article, Information about using Office suites and programs on a computer that is running another version of Office.
