Transfering Win Office Programs to new Computer?

9 years ago

I have an old Dell Vostro desktop running Win 7 Ultimate but was originally tagged for Vista. I had gotten it from someone who I guess got it from their work. Last year or more windows found it not a legal copy (ok 'til then). It is loaded with a complete Office 2007 sweet but I don't have the actual copies of Office or Vista or Win7 etc.

I just noticed a deal for an Acer tower with win 10, but I assume nothing much else loaded, for $130. Is there a way to move complete programs (mainly Office) from machine to machine without disaster?

Actually, as I typed the above sentence, I realize that I actually have a real copy of a much newer Office2013 that I loaded onto my HP ENVY notebook computer. It is a dvd, not an on line or yearly update and charge deal. It came out just before that change. It is stashed away at the moment. I suppose I could load it although I suppose it was supposed to be for one machine. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

4thumbs

9 years ago

I agree with many of you who installed the free Libre Office suite. It's similar to my favorite MS Office 2003 with drop-down menus and toolbars you can customize.

It will allow you to open MS documents, work on them, and save in the same format. It's also a breeze to save documents in the PDF format.

There is a slight learning curve in Libre, as the names of some of the functions had to differ somewhat from Microsoft.

However, what angered me most about MS is when they stopped offering support for either an operating system or office package in order to force one to purchase a new computer.

For me, the ribbon menu was the last straw. In Office 2003, I knew exactly where every command was located. When they changed to the ribbon, a 15 minute job turned into hours trying to locate the command I needed. And I sorely missed the ability to create my own customized toolbars and menus.

So I got a Mac, installed Libre and really love both. When Apple updates its operating system it's not a big deal. Just a simple download with no glitches and no nasty messages that support will soon end.

I used to dread it whenever I had to download an update or upgrade the Microsoft system, for every time this happened the entire process was a nightmare.

I'm really glad I made the move to a Mac, but it's a shame that MS shot themselves in the foot by refusing to back up their products or listen to their customers.

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Comments (13)

zep516
9 years ago
"Purchasing the license grants you the right to install the software on a single PC. If that PC breaks, or gets lost or stolen, or you upgrade and replace it with a new one, you can install Office 2013 on the new PC. You can also sell or transfer the license to another user. The primary requirement under this license is that the Office 2013 software can only exist in one place, and be installed on one computer at any given time. "

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030120/microsoft-caves-to-office-2013-licensing-backlash.html
chas045
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks; any thoughts on moving the old 2007 version?
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zep516
9 years ago
As far as I know

You can't move the 2007 version of office, it's tied to that machine. I'm guessing it's an OEM version (Original Equipment Manufacture) that came pre-installed.
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
Unless you bought an over the internet download, you need a disk (and a product key) to install it. I just did that very thing today on a replacement hard drive after the one that came with a new PC a few months ago died and needed to be replaced (under warranty, of course). .
Richard (Vero Beach, Florida)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
If you can determine your Office 2007 key (and it's a legit key) this page might allow you to download a fresh copy of Office 2007...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/office

I can't test to be sure it works; I don't have a key.
haldd
9 years ago
Here is a link to an article about Microsoft discontinuing support for Office products. Several versions won't get support or updates. I stopped using Office because of the new subscription model and fees for support. There are good alternatives...http://www.computerworld.com/article/3159659/enterprise-applications/microsoft-will-soon-end-office-2013-distribution-through-office-365.html
Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
Read it again, haldd, you didn't get it right.

MS Office is a current product and continues to be sold and supported. The subscription model (Office 365, ~$50 per year) is also very much available and supported. There are cheaper approaches too.

For those in business or exchanging documents using extensive features with a variety of people, Office remains the standard in business and professional circles and the most compatible. For home or casual use, the Libre direction or even Google Docs can be adequate
mikie_gw
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Assuming you have your computer logged into a free Microsoft account ... Office online is free. https://www.office.com/
User
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Try LibreOffice, it's legally free, and can read your existing MSOffice files with no problem.

Moving installed software to another computer seldom works because (in the case of Windows) there are settings scattered all over the place.
User
9 years ago
I would suggest to follow what @lazy_gardens said by installing LibreOffice. It's free and you can install it on any computer you like without restriction unless you have some complex option existing in MS Office but not existing in LibreOffice.

By the way you cannot move MSOffice from your old computer to the new one unless you have a fresh copy then you install a new one, of course if you have the key, otherwise you can't because Microsoft throw everywhere in the registry any files, configuration, ... which you cannot find out.
jrb451
9 years ago
Looks like Office 365 Personal is now $69.99 for a year.
chas045
Original Author
9 years ago
Since I am the OP, thanks for all the above info. I learned that I can't just transfer the programs. To update: I found what certainly appears (so far) to be a legit. copy of Office2007 from someone who had a store.

Transfering Win Office Programs to new Computer?

4thumbs

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zep516

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Transfering Win Office Programs to new Computer?

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