Win 7 Updates vs. Office 2003

michaelas · 04 Apr 2011

Hi,
I'm running Windows 7 on an Acer 5517. I replaced Office 2007 with Office 2003 (because I like 2003 better). This was about a year ago.

The problem is: when I download Windows Updates it doesn't read my Office 2003. So when I try to get into Word or Excel it can't find the files. i did a system Restore and got it back, but is there a way around this? If I need some important updates I should probably have them, but I don't want to keep running into this. (And I still don't want Office 7)

(It did this during last summer too, so I stopped installing the updates. I haven't updated since, except for today)

Anyone know which Windows update files I should avoid in the future, and which will not affect the Office '03 programs? Or is this asking too much?

FYI:
ACER
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual-core Processor TK-42 1.60 GHz
RAM: 3 G (350 G HD)
System type: 64 bit OS

Thanks,
M

freedomdoc · 04 Apr 2011

I don't know how to answer your question exactly, but I also run Win7 along with Office 2003 (because I can't stand Office 2007), and have updated to Service Pack 1 and have encountered no such problems as you were having. The big difference I see here is I'm running 32-bit and you are doing 64-bit. Maybe you should look into that...

cdmoomaw · 04 Apr 2011

I am also running Win7 x64. I also despise office 07, due to the replacement of toolbars, in favor of whatever they call that new tab thing. I wound up going with Open Office (- The Free and Open Productivity Suite), which still uses the old interface, and is compatible with MS Office formats.

Irene · 06 Apr 2011

michaelas, you can check which updates you are missing here:
How to find Office 2003 update

michaelas · 06 Apr 2011

So you're saying, Irene, that I need all the Windows Updates...Plus now I need Office 2003 updates as well?

Irene · 07 Apr 2011

michaelas said:

So you're saying, Irene, that I need all the Windows Updates...Plus now I need Office 2003 updates as well?

My personal opinion would be, that which ever version of Office you are using, you need all of the important updates, including SP3. There may be others which are optional, so you can decide. If you are using Office 2003 - Office 2003 Solution Center - 3rd item down on the left-hand menu.

P.S. I know that Office 2007 is quite different, once you become familiar with it, it really is good. I can understand the reluctance to change, but it is well worth it. :)