Transfering Installation Software To New Computer

Question

I have an Inspiron tower, and I'm considering buying an Inspiron AIO. I can transfer all data files with Windows Easy Transfer. However since the AIO does not have an optical drive, my concern is transferring installation files, such as Office 2010, Outlook 2010, and others where all I have are the installation CDs.

Is it possible to copy system installation files from the tower CD drive to the AIO Download folder with a USB or Ethernet cable? Or is there another technique available? I'd prefer not to buy an external CD drive just for this one usage.

Thanks for any suggestions.

speedstep · Accepted Answer

Office since 2007 is a Product Key with Microsoft Product Identifier.

Microsoft Product Identifier

This means they DID NOT SHIP with DVD for Office 2010.

You use the Key on the MPI card and you reinstall via the microsoft site.

If you don’t have a disc, you can download and install Office with your product key. You must have your MPI card or email from microsoft with the key. If you lost this you will have to buy new key.

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

This page will allow you to download and reinstall Office for the following products:

Office 2010
Office for Mac 2011

Note that support for Office 2007 has ended.
Please refer to the following link for available upgrade options: Office 2007 EOL

As of May 1, 2013 there will no longer be an MPI card for Office 2010. If you purchase a new system after that date, you will be receiving an MPI card for Office 2013. This card is NOT backward-compatible with Office 2010 and only works for Office 2013. (AKA your system is windows 8.1)

Figure 1: Office 2010 Microsoft Product Information Card

An Office 2010 image is loaded during factory installation.
If you purchased any of 3 Office 2010 full versions, you will receive the MPI card separately which will contain the activation key that unlocks the appropriate modules from the factory installed image. The three versions are:
1. Microsoft ® Office Home and Student 2010
2. Microsoft ® Office Home and Business 2010
3. Microsoft ® Office Professional 2010

If you did not purchase a full Microsoft Office 2010 version when placing your order, you can download the Office 2010 trial version from the Microsoft Home page.

	Note:
	Do not lose your MPI Card/Product Key. Keep the packaging or write down the number and keep it in a safe place. When converting from a trial version to a full version of Microsoft Office, you must use the product key from the full version to convert it.

Hank Coolidge · Accepted Answer

Thank you all for your replies. I now realize that considering an AIO is not practical. So I consider this thread solved. Thanks again, Hank

fireberd · Answer

If the Office version you have came with the Tower, its an OEM version and only legally licensed for the PC it was delivered with.

Otherwise you can use a USB Flash drive to transfer or install. Copy the CD data to a flash drive to install on the new PC.

USB CD/DVD drives are not expensive. Here is one for $23

https://www.newegg.com/p/105-005S-00009

Hank Coolidge · Answer

Hi Fireberd, thanks for your reply.

None of the systems I'm using were OEM supplied. I own them outright, and have keys for all. Using thumb drives is an option I hadn't considered.

For that matter, I might be able to map the tower's hard drive to the AIO over my network thus avoiding the physical handling of thumb drives. I like the convenience of electronics...when it works. LOL

Your reply triggered that memory as a possibility. My brain's a little sluggish.

Thanks again, Hank

RoHe · Answer

@Hank Coolidge   BTW: Do you really want an AIO?  Think of an AIO as a laptop with a bigger screen and a separate/detached keyboard. Will it have the specs you want/need for the intended use, and/or any (future) upgrade capabilities? And as you've already discovered, some AIO may not have an internal optical drive, and may have room for only one internal HDD or SSD.

RoHe · Answer

@Hank Coolidge   I'll go you even one better... You can download Office  2010 and Outlook 2010, as long as you have a valid product key(s).

RoHe · Answer

And if you don't have all your product keys, you can always use Belarc Advisor (free) to show them to you (in a browser window) on the PC where they're installed, and then print and save the list for future reference.

Inspiron Desktops

Transfering Installation Software To New Computer

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