Microsoft Office licenses

[kaphc]

I'm trying to get clear in my head how Microsoft Office licenses work if they're not on an EES and are operating on a machine-by-machine basis.

We have recently bought four new machines to replace existing machines which had Office 2003 on. We want Office 2010 on the new machines (we're not going to 2013 yet, as we're only just trying to standardise to 2010!).

The product keys for 2003 are not valid to use with Office 2010 are they?

However, if we're quoted for and buy Office 2013, can we use those product keys with Office 2010?

In other words - are Microsoft Office licenses backwardly compatible with previous versions of Office but not vice versa?

Thank you

[sted]

no a 2003 license cant be used for 2010. as to downgrade i believe it depends on the license type

[sonofsanta]

That was my understanding, yes. MS stop selling old Office licenses when a new version comes out, so you can only ever buy the newest version, but you may still want to run an older one.

Obviosly you need to update licences to move to a newer version though - else everyone would still be running off Office 97 licences, and MS wouldn't make half as much money as they do

[Neil-Millgate]

Hi @kaphc

You may still be able to buy the retail boxes for Office 2010 and these would allow you to run 2010. You could enter a licence agreement with MS which would be for 2013 but allows you to downgrade to 2010 as well.

The 2003 licence you have is only good for 2003.

[kaphc]

Thanks for the replies. Yes that makes sense from a commercial perspective ... I knew there had to be a reason why I can't use the 2003 key.

I'll check about the 2010/2013 issue as we definitely want to run 2010 for now.

[tmcd35]

no a 2003 license cant be used for 2010. as to downgrade i believe it depends on the license type

My understanding also. Both OEM and Retail will be current version only. Volume licenses without Software Assurance (Select, Select Plus, Open, EES, etc) are any version up to and including the latest.

If you had valid Software Assurance on the 2003 license when 2010 was released, then yes you can upgrade to 2010 free. License keys are version specific. You have to obtain the license key for the version you want to use from the Volume License Service Center.

[glennda]

As TMCD35 says you will need to go to Volume Licenses if you want to buy 2013 and use 2010 from my understanding.

Going VL doesn't mean you have to sign up to yearly costs though I believe you can just buy a Volume. Be aware you can also buy Second hand Volume licenses which can reduce the cost and it is 100% legal (just most people don't tell you that!)

[Koldov]

OMG @ this!

Be aware you can also buy Second hand Volume licenses which can reduce the cost and it is 100% legal (just most people don't tell you that!)

I'm confused enough about licensing as it is!

Kol

[glennda]

OMG @ this!



I'm confused enough about licensing as it is!

Kol

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