How to run multiple versions of Microsoft Office on one computer

Summary: This article provides information about running multiple versions of Microsoft Office on one computer.

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Table of Contents:

  1. Important considerations when running multiple versions of Microsoft Office
  2. Microsoft information about running multiple versions of Microsoft Office

 

Important considerations when running multiple versions of Microsoft Office

NOTE: Dell does not support the installation or use of multiple versions of Microsoft Office. This article is meant to provide basic guidelines, and information should you want to use a multiple Microsoft Office configuration.

To install multiple versions of Microsoft Office on the same computer, take note of these important considerations:

  1. While this configuration is possible, Microsoft does not recommend running multiple versions of Office on the same system. Instead, in cases where two versions of Office are needed, it is recommended that one version be run in a virtual environment (for example, using Windows Virtual PC which is explained in Microsoft KB 958559SLN289087_en_US__1iC_External_Link_BD_v1).
  2. You must install the oldest version of Office first (for example, Office 2003 must be installed before Office 2010). This would also apply to any stand-alone Office programs, that is Word or Excel. This is necessary as the registry keys, shared programs, and file extensions are managed separately for each version.
  3. If a version of Office is already installed on your computer, then it is recommended you uninstall and reinstall this previous version. Remember to follow the process of installing oldest-to-newest when reinstalling this previous version of Office.
  4. In the case of Microsoft Outlook, only the latest version of this program works. The newest install of Outlook overwrites any previous versions.
  5. If Word 2010 is installed on a system with multiple versions of Word installed, there is a delay when opening Word 2010. Microsoft KB 2784668SLN289087_en_US__1iC_External_Link_BD_v1 explains this issue in more detail, and includes a possible workaround for the issue.

 

 

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Microsoft information about running multiple versions of Microsoft Office

The following Microsoft articles provide more detailed information, guidelines, and procedures for running multiple versions of Office on the same computer:

  1. Multiple Versions of Microsoft Office with Office 2013 This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies
  2. Multiple Versions of Microsoft Office with Office 2010 This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies

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Article Properties
Article Number: 000155037
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 25 Jul 2025
Version:  8
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