Office Basic 2007 and Outlook 2007 OEM Editions

G

Glenn

Can you confirm if I can use the 2003 versions of Office Basic 2007 and
Outlook 2007 OEM Editions if I purchases the 2007 versions with a new laptop.
HP and Dell has advised me that I can use the older version but need to
contact Microsoft to obtain the media kit for the old version. If so, who do
I contact at Microsoft.

Thanks
 
G

garfield-n-odie [MVP]

OEM software is only licensed for installation on the computer that the
software came with. OEM software cannot be transferred to any other
computer.

I have no idea what you mean by "2003 versions of Office Basic 2007 and
Outlook 2007 OEM Editions".
 
G

Glenn

The new laptop was purchased with Vista Home Premium and OEM versions of
2007. With the non OEM version, you can use older version of Office. For
example, you can install Office 2003 instead of Office 2007 when you purchase
Office 2007. I just need to clarify if this is the same with OEM version.
In any case, it's still installed on the same machine that came with Office
2007 (OEM). I don't like the new interface with 2007 and I prefer 2003 so I
don't mind using the old version at all. By the way, thanks for responding.
 
D

DL

An OEM version is licensed to the first PC it is installed on, its not
transferable to a new PC
 
G

Glenn

You don;t seem to understand. It's the same machine. I'm referring to one
machine only. Instead of using Office 2007, I would like to use Office 2003.
The machine was purchased with OEM Office 2007. After using it for a while,
I prefer Office 2003. Therefore I'm asking if it's legal to use Office 2003
using the same license as Office 2007. If so, where can I obtain a media kit
or download the 2003 version. It doesn't make any sense to buy another
Office 2003 license when I bought the machine with Office 2007 but find 2003
much easier to use.
 
G

garfield-n-odie [MVP]

If you have a license for Office 2003 that is transferrable to your new
computer, then yes, you can install Office 2003 alongside or in place of
the Office 2007 that came on your new computer, although Microsoft
recommends installing the older version before the newer version if you
want both versions on the computer.

If you do not have a license for Office 2003 that is transferrable to
your new computer, then no, you cannot use your Office 2007 license to
run Office 2003.
 
G

garfield-n-odie [MVP]

Retail and OEM copies of Office 2007 do not come with downgrade rights.
According to
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...9d-4996-b198-7b9d3fe15611/downgrade_chart.doc
:

[OEM Licensing] Rights to OEM versions of applications software are
granted in the OEM License Terms. The OEM License Terms for OEM
versions of applications software do not grant downgrade rights.

[Volume Licensing] Customers who have licensed Microsoft Office
Professional Plus 2007 are eligible to downgrade to Office Professional
Enterprise 2003 and all previous versions as described above. Customers
who have licensed Microsoft Office Standard 2007 are eligible to
downgrade to Office Standard Edition 2003 and all previous versions of
Office Standard Edition.
 
G

Glenn

Interesting responses: I have spoken to HP and Dell and both made the
statement "All Microsoft licenses can be downgraded to previous version".
But I can't get a clear answer on OEMs. I find it hard to believe that I
have to buy 2 copies of Office after making a mistake of buying Office 2003
OEM version for the same exact machine.
 
B

Beth Melton

The fact that an OEM license can't be downgraded is correct. This one of the
reasons why it's a good idea to only purchase a computer from a computer
manufacturer and forgo OEM versions. Unfortunately you get what you pay for.
IOW, the computer manufacturer is typically clueless and resistant to
provide you with support for the OEM software you purchased from them. A
retail version may cost a bit more but it gives you more flexibility, such
as the ability to transfer the installation to another computer, and support
from Microsoft.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/
 
Top