Windows 7 Office 2003 won't install on Windows 7

[dkperez]

I'm not sure where to put this, or where the problem actually is, so I'll put it here.........

I just got off the phone with Microsoft customer support after one of those conversations that makes it abundantly clear why so many people utterly DESPISE Microsoft.

I installed Windows 7 64-bit last night. Went fine. Today I attempted to install Office 2003 Professional. It keeps telling me my product key is not valid. I checked the product key on the cd bag. I ALSO checked the product key on the laptop that's running XP and ALSO has Office 2003 on it. The keys ARE THE SAME. Repeated attempts to install all failed with the install telling me the key isn't valid.

SO, I called Microsoft. THEY validated the key and said "Yes, the key is valid. And YES, Windows 7 supports Office 2003. We DON'T KNOW WHY IT WON'T INSTALL BUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK TO A TECHNICIAN IT'LL COST $49 FOR THEM TO TRY TO HELP YOU."

Again, this is EXACTLY the same software that has been running on this machine for at LEAST FIVE YEARS. The ONLY change is installing Windows 7.

So, as I understand it, MS won't installation support for THEIR PRODUCT, being installed on THEIR OPERATING SYSTEM, with what they admit is a VALID KEY...

Is there something in Windows 7 that causes a problem with installing Office 2003?

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds frustrating to encounter issues when trying to install Office 2003 Professional on a Windows 7 64-bit system, especially after being told that the product key is valid by Microsoft support. The inability to install Office 2003 on Windows 7 could be due to compatibility issues between the older Office version and the newer operating system. Here are a few points to consider: 1. Compatibility Mode: You can try running the Office 2003 setup in compatibility mode to see if that helps. Right-click on the setup file, go to Properties, then Compatibility, and select a previous version of Windows that Office 2003 is known to work with. 2. Installation Issues: There might be installation issues specific to this combination of software and hardware. Running the installer as an administrator can sometimes resolve such issues. Right-click on the setup file and choose "Run as administrator." 3. Service Packs and Updates: Ensure that Windows 7 has all the latest updates installed. Sometimes, updates can resolve compatibility issues with older software. Also, check if there are any service packs or updates available for Office 2003. 4. Virtual Machine: If all else fails, consider setting up a virtual machine with Windows XP where you can install Office 2003. Virtual machines create a virtual environment where you can run older software that may not be compatible with newer operating systems. 5. Office 2003 End of Support: Office 2003 reached its end of support a while ago, so using this software on a newer operating system like Windows 7 might present challenges due to lack of updates and compatibility testing. Before proceeding with any changes, it's advisable to back up your system to prevent any data loss. Also, if you're open to using more recent versions of Microsoft Office, that might be a more secure and supported option in the long run. If you encounter any specific error messages during the installation process, providing that information can help in diagnosing the issue more accurately.