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Just be aware of inadvertently accepting anything ‘free’ from MS (or for that matter, anybody else). Could be that if you click on a .doc or .docx file, instead of opening your office it opens MS’s free office. And that might mess up the file associations with your office. I’m not sure how MS has it set up – as I said, I try to avoid that stuff and have been on Office 2003 since I bought the computer. Each of my computers. First thing I do as part of setting up a new computer is to uninstall all office versions that came with the computer. I’m not going to use them so why keep them? And if you do inadvertently delete Edge or New Office, I’m sure MS will make it very easy for you to download and install them.

You can pick up a USB DVD drive or Blu-Ray drive for ~$40. It’s a good device to have. I occasionally rip a CD to add to my music collection and have even watched a movie or two from my vast DVD collection. And, you can install your software with it.

I don’t know of a URL to download previous versions of Office, but you can look. I have copied the entire DVD and put it in a directory on my HD and then installed from there. Faster and it allows easier changes to your installation. Just gotta know someone with an optical disk reader or buy one for yourself. Make sure you keep your registration number from the original distribution disk and sleeve/case.

Best wishes,

RamRod

You should be able to install your version of Office just fine. MS works hard at backwards compatibility. I currently use Office 2003 (not Outlook) on my WinX installation. I have also installed and used Office 2000 on WinX successfully. The reactionaries will tell you that if you use your Office you’ll be more open to security threats. That is your consideration – don’t be bullied. I have used Office 2003 for YEARS with no security penetrations. Use your AV. And enjoy many more years of using the Office you like. You paid for it – enjoy it.

P.S. – For best results, remove (Uninstall) any other (pre-loaded) Office software prior to installing your Office.

P.P.S. – You can have multiple Office versions installed – but the file extensions get messed up and there might be other negative interactions. See the Internet for information on multiple installations.

It may be your computer, but it is MS’s software.

Best wishes to you.

try Microsoft’s own tool – SyncToy. It may no longer be officially supported, but you can find it at CNET and other reputable locations.

my understanding is that SyncToy is the guts of the synchronization MS installed with SkyDrive – and then OneDrive. Could be wrong about that – oh well.

SyncToy was originally an XP Powertoy. I still use it today.

“You had ones and zeros? Ha! We only had ones!”

 

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wavy

That question is relevant today. I just bought a new Win10 Pro machine from Lenovo precisely because the major players are getting rid of their remaining win10 machines and soon you won’t be able to buy a win10 machine from the major vendors. Choice is definitely narrowing as they hew to MS contracts that require them to push Win11.

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rc primak, WCHS

I apologize. I didn’t directly answer your question. I like 2003. I’m accustomed to 2003. It is specifically 2003, or something very much like its user interface. The situation reminds me of the new Coke debacle. Eventually Coke had to reintroduce Classic Coke because New Coke didn’t taste as good. In matters of taste there is no argument. I’m right. MS is right. I vote with my pocket book. Thanks.

I’ll probably move to Libre Office when 2003 no longer works. Credit to MS for maintaining compatibility between windows and older versions of Office. They don’t have to do that but, credit where credit is due. I DON’T want a Ribbon. Ever.

Needs, Wants, Desires. That’s my paradigm.

Needs are things required to exist. Biologically they include food, water, shelter, clothing.

Wants have to do with the quality of meeting my needs. Crackers or Caviar? Both are food; the quality/tastiness differs vastly.

Desires come out of what’s left over after my needs and wants are satisfied. They come from my surplus. They include a trip to Europe, a Corvette, a Cruise.

I segregate my computing needs by the hardware available to me: For work such as writing, spreadsheeting, hydraulic models, and full-scale browsing, my need is a ‘traditional computer’. That includes a keyboard, mouse, and at least two 27″ screens for my aging eyes. Nothing less meets my needs and wants. I also need MS Office 2003 and an operating system to run it. I need an operating system that just works – it launches programs, and then goes away. I control its access to the internet to keep my threat surface to a minimum. I go on the internet when I need it, and then I turn access to the internet off. While I’m on I have shields up. When I’m off, shields can go down.

For communication, a smart phone meets my needs. It is NOT a work production machine. It’s an online encyclopedia. It’s a tiny little browser that barely keeps information flowing – but it works and meets my portable browsing needs. It hurts my eyes and makes me self-conscious about my fat fingers compared to a comfortable mouse. And it is a phone. A very convenient phone. And a little black book. Pretty handy compared to what our parents grew up with.

For portable entertainment, a tablet, preferably an iPad, meets my needs. Or rather my Wife’s needs. I let her provide movies and music and podcasts and talk radio and the such while I drive. Much safer that way. Both hands on the wheel don’t you know. Eyes on the road always. Drive defensively. Let your mind serve as your monitor while you drive. I love listening to Pitch Perfect 1 while we drive. It’s glorious technicolor in my mind. And it lasts halfway through Nevada on I-80.

I suppose a typewriter, flip-phone (or pay phone), and an etch-a-sketch (google that you young-uns!) would meet my needs. But my wants are met by a traditional computer, a smart phone, and an iPad. My desires are for MS to leave it alone and get rid of the Interware it calls Windows and Office 365. Oh well, desires are rarely fulfilled.

RamRod

 

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Tem, samak

Are home users moving away from Windows or has Windows moved away from home users? It’s not a rhetorical question, and don’t give me a non-response. I use Office 2003 because it works for me and doesn’t have a Ribbon. MY CHOICE! I like it. I not only need it, I want it and I like it. The last Windows that I liked was Windows 7. Then MS changed Windows forever and changed it again and again. Now it’s hardly even Windows anymore. It’s certainly not MY windows.

My biggest concern is how do I maintain my computing experience, ability, and fun when MS keeps pulling the rug out from under me?

Win 10 and certainly Win 11 are not getting the job done for me. I can manage my own stinking computer and don’t need or want MS to do it for me. Just stop, would you MS?

Respectfully,

RamRod

https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/23/freedos_13/

Try FreeDOS 1.3.

Thank you for your kind instructions. I’ll let you know how it proceeds.

PKCano,

I have a favor to ask – I need advice.

I just bought a new computer. Haven’t started it yet. It’s a Win10 Pro Lenovo Detachable.

This is my first Pro machine. I want to start it without an MS account – that is, on a local account. I want to install the Brave browser. I want to let it update, both Windows and Lenovo updates. I want to prevent it from upgrading to Win11.

After initial updates I want to limit further updates until I see the all clear on Ask Woody.

As a favor, and as an affirmation of your legendary status as an Ask Woody VIP, would you advise me on the steps to take to achieve my objectives?  Thanks in advance.

RamRod

The only time I update WinX is when I buy a new computer. And only then because I am forced, as Windows comes with the computer. (My weakness for not actually making the move to Linux or MacOS instead of threatening to.)

If you have read my previous posts you know that I ran a Lenovo Flex 3 (WinX 1511) for 4.5 years with ZERO updates. I blocked all windows updates.

I replaced the Lenovo Flex 3 with a Lenovo Flex 5 (WinX 19.something) more than a year ago. First program I installed was Windows Update Blocker (WUB). I haven’t installed a single update on the new machine since I purchased it.

Zero problems with either machine (unless they were caused by MS strong-arming an update, caused by a lapse in my defenses due to my mistake. Rollback works – thank MS)

I do run an antivirus. No worries.

You don’t need the updates, feature updates, etc. You just don’t. You can do updates if you like, but don’t put me down for not going along with the mindless, scared masses. No offense – just sayin’…

I know this isn’t a set of statistics, and I’m only one example. But my experience is an example. And a good one so far.

Be careful out there. Apparently it is too hard to know who all the bad guys are – but I know one BIG one that lives in Washington state. They still get my telemetry, but so far I’ve been able to keep their trouble-making updates off my computer. If you have something that works, you have VERY little to worry about.

Relax. Don’t Worry. Be Happy.

RamRod.

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Cybertooth

The risk of a negative security event is proportional to at least two factors: 1.) the quality of the current software/hardware; 2.) the frequency and duration of time connected to the internet.

Interware, as I call it, is software/hardware that requires constant or frequent connection to the internet in order to perform as specified/promised by the manufacturer.

Our threat surface, and thus the need to continuously support and update drivers/hardware/software would be much smaller if we weren’t steadily becoming more dependent on internet connectivity for our computing purposes.

We should separate computing and office functions from entertainment and social functions in both hardware and software. Then you could buy a device(s) that meets your need(s) and assume the risk accordingly. This all boils down to understanding the risk and deciding who bears the risk. Asking (or paying) manufacturers and software companies to assume the risk, compelling them to continuously monitor penetrations and fix hardware/software imperfections, is wishful thinking IMHO.

Personal computing was supposed to be just that – personal. If you sell out (or buy into interware), then you have to take what you get. And that is what the hardware manufacturers and software companies are doing – letting you assume all of the risk after a short period of support.

When you enter a restaurant do you just tell the wait staff to bring what the Chef likes? Or do you look at the menu and order what you like? Both options get you fed. But only one choice has the greater odds of satisfying your dining experience.

Nothing is forever. However, software that you own, and that connects to the internet (a very dangerous place I am told) at your command – not the software company’s command – lasts a lot longer and has a much smaller, or at least controllable, threat surface.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Down with Interware! Up with personal computing!

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