Office 97 breaks UAC

rsvr85 · 23 Dec 2009

Windows 7 can do many things well, from multi tasking to providing a stable platform for getting your work done. One thing that Windows 7 can't do is play properly with Office 97.

Microsoft has posted up a knowledge article on its support web site stating that when Office 97 is installed, there is no way to save any changes made to users' User Account Control (UAC) settings . Essentially, having Office 97 installed will break UAC for the user and render it useless.

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z3r010 · 23 Dec 2009

I dont see how this is news, Office 97 hasn't been supported in years.

Breaking news.......Microsoft Bob doesn't work in Windows 7!!! Industry expert Randul Kennedy declares Windows 7 a fail

Gornot · 23 Dec 2009

Are there really people that actually still use Office97? If yes, then LOL

sclausnitzer · 23 Dec 2009

The reality of smaller businesses is that they cannot afford to upgrade their software every time a new version of windows is released.

If it works, they will continue to use it. A site or volume license for MS Office 97 may have expired, but as long as the product activation codes work, these companies will continue to use it as long as they can.

If a machine dies, and has to be replaced, then yes, they will put Office 97 on a Windows 7 PC. This will cause security and compatibility issues, but these may take a back seat to saving money, especially in this economy.

logicearth · 23 Dec 2009

sclausnitzer said:

The reality of smaller businesses is that they cannot afford to upgrade their software every time a new version of windows is released.....

Sure but doesn't mean Microsoft has to make sure unsupported software is working in proper order...that is why its called unsupported.

Tews · 23 Dec 2009

z3r010 said:

I dont see how this is news, Office 97 hasn't been supported in years.

Breaking news.......Microsoft Bob doesn't work in Windows 7!!! Industry expert Randul Kennedy declares Windows 7 a fail

PC WhizzKid · 23 Dec 2009

Why not get Office 2003 instead then?

Tews · 23 Dec 2009

If you run any kind of business at all and cant afford to upgrade from Office 97 you might as well close your doors....

GEWB · 23 Dec 2009

PC WhizzKid said:

Why not get Office 2003 instead then?

It is not always the money - it's productivity that counts. Depending on the tasks, some things in '97 are MUCH more productive than ALL following versions (especially Word).

I would say wipe Win7, install XP then Office 97 - that or live without UAC in Win7.

Regards,
GEWB

GEWB · 23 Dec 2009

Tews said:

If you run any kind of business at all and cant afford to upgrade from Office 97 you might as well close your doors....

Hmm, glad you're not a CFO, especially for a large company. Let's see, how about UPS? I was there last week and they are using Windows 2000. I know of numerous large companies (as in Fortune 500 size) that are using software 6 to 10 years "old" as ROI is more important whan new bells and whistles that 99% of the corporation doesn't need.

Regards,
GEWB