2000 Backwards Compatibility

[Wasila]

Yeah, I'm running Office 2000 (Pro) .

I'm currently running Windows XP but am planning to upgrade (with a new computer) to Windows 7 this year. My big problem is whether or not my Office will work. I have seen for myself that it works in Vista, but Microsoft's database says that Office 2000 doesn't work in 7.

Two questions:

a) Will it work in XP Compatibility mode?
b) If not, will it work with Windows XP Mode?

Thanks,
Wasila

 

[Lee]

Not sure who is having a problem with MS Office 2000 in Win 7, albeit I have been using it with my laptop which is running on Win 7 32 bit.

A) yes
B) yes

After reading your post I loaded up Office 2000 into XP mode and it worked just fine. Also, loaded up in VMware's Workstation running XP and it worked without any problems.

Hope this helps, and BTW "Welcome to the Seven Forums."

Now if you can still download MS Office 2010 beta I would recommend that you do, and test it out, it is an excellent upgrade to 2007, 2003, and 2000. There is a compatibility mode so you can convert either forward or backwards.

 

[Wasila]

Thanks for the welcome .

I wasn't aware that anyone used Office 200 other than me! I have used 2007 extensively on other computers and am in love - unfortunately the price tag is getting between me and my bride .

Just to confirm, by XP Compatibility mode I meant just right clicking on the file, going to properties and changing the settings, and opening it? (I might be getting Home Premium, so no XP Mode) If so, that's great! But I've been looking at my potential new computer and it seems to only come with Windows 7 64-bit. Do your answers still apply?

Thanks alot,
Wasila

 

[Lee]

Yes, I am running Windows 7 x64 on an iMac 27" (boot camped - dual boot) with VMware Workstation. In the VM at present is XP running MS Office 2000, and XPM (XP Mode) running Office 2000. In Windows 7 at present I am testing Office 2010 beta x64. All version are running smoothly

 

[Wasila]

Nono, I mean does Office 2000 work in native 7? With just the compatibility mode you apply in properties (or even not at all)?

Also what is VMWare Workstation? Does it cost?

Thanks,
Wasila

 

[mlevy]

Wasila, look into OpenOffice (OpenOffice.org - The Free and Open Productivity Suite) It's FREE, is VERY similar to the Office 2000/2003 in appearance and overall functionality and is 100% compatible with Microsoft Office formats (including the new XML versions, xlsx and docx), in some cases OpenOffice can open Office 2000 docs that even Office 2000 can't, I've used it to recover Excel sheets that were corrupt according to Excel by opening them in OO and re-saving.

 

[BugMeister]

I have Office 2000 running OK in Windows 7 64-bit - in addition to the 2007 versions of Outlook, Word, Excel and Powerpoint..
- the newer installation merged seamlessly with the earlier version and all runs perfectly..

- particular favourite of mine is Office 2000's Microsoft PhotoDraw v2, use it a lot - it's quick, easy and always comes up trumps..
- any finely detailed stuff I work in CorelDraw, but the MS2000 suite is just dandy for quick stuff..

- there may be some compaibility issues with 2007, but there's a pack available from MS that sorts out most problems..

NB. I think MS are dropping support for Office2000 sometime in the near future, so get yours up to date while the files are still available..

- good luck!

 

[Wasila]

Thanks BugMeister - the sort of reassuring advice I needed .

OpenOffice is very interesting and I actually have it installed on my computer, however I don't use it much. Unfortunately for them, the new interface in 2007 makes it look light years ahead...

Thanks,
Wasila

 

[mlevy]

Considering you're used to Office 2000 and aren't really willing to shell out for the new suite how does the look of 2007 matter compared to OO? I'm using Office 2007, I'd be using OO at home if I hadn't gotten Office 2007 (Enterprise, EVERYTHING) for a steal through an EUP program through work. I agree that the look in 2007 is more refined, wait till you see Office 2010, I'm using the RC at work for testing, it's nicer than 2007.

 

[Pichu]

I did read online that one of the only compatibility issues is with outlook 2000 in that your user profile might get "forgotten" by the computer. I haven't tested this but it seems to prevail online.

I would suggest you get the office 2010 beta. In my opinion, openoffice is horrible....The interface looks decades older and it really is a last resort for me, after office and microsoft works.

 

[Wasila]

I suppose I'm suffering from standard paranoia about open-source - that and I want the features of 2007 (so I might yet shell out). Will Microsoft sell it for a reduced price after 2010 comes out?

Pichu, it may look decades over but you obviously haven't seen 2000/2003. It looks very much pre-2007.

Also how does OO actually compare to Office 2000? Naturally, I've seen only comparisons with newer versions, but I can imagine that OO actually beats it in features. Is that true?

Thanks

 

[mlevy]

The one big one is that it has a native ability to save/print/export to PDF (not sure which way it actually works). I'm sure you could find plugins for it to add functionality or write your own if you desire, a result of it being open source. Another benefit is that you don't have to keep paying when a major revision (new version) comes out, you just go download the new version and install it. I'd certainly be using it if I hadn't had the opportunity to buy Office 2007 for a small fraction of the regular price.

 

[Pichu]

I suppose I'm suffering from standard paranoia about open-source - that and I want the features of 2007 (so I might yet shell out). Will Microsoft sell it for a reduced price after 2010 comes out?

Pichu, it may look decades over but you obviously haven't seen 2000/2003. It looks very much pre-2007.

Also how does OO actually compare to Office 2000? Naturally, I've seen only comparisons with newer versions, but I can imagine that OO actually beats it in features. Is that true?

Thanks

office has pdf support in office 2007 sp2 and office 2010.
It is your choice, of course, though, office is obviously your better choice for productivity and features (yes, office has more features, a TON more features. There are some features in office that openoffice cannot support in the formatting) though the drawback is the price. My suggestion is to get the office 2007 home and student version. The microsoft techology guarantee program right now gives you a free upgrade to office 2010 when it comes out .

 

[dajogejr]

I probably should start a new thread...but, since we're on topic here.

What are you guys finding so much better in 2010 Beta than in 2007?

I had 2010 on home and work PCs and have since switched back to 2007 Pro. (Luckily, works pays for this stuff, I wouldn't shell out 300 plus clams for it)
My Justification is I'm the lone IT guy...gotta know how it works so I can support it.

I'm a heavy Outlook users. I like the threaded messages behind Outlook 2010...but there were some quirks.
I use a hosted Exchange type email at work as well as checking my home POP account...and strictly my POP account from home....
In the end it looks like 2007 left Outlook pretty much alone in the text to picture menu driven type program.
In 2010...it looks like Outlook got the facelift as well.

 

[Wasila]

I believe Access didn't get Ribbons in 2007. Does it have it now?

 

[Pichu]

I believe Access didn't get Ribbons in 2007. Does it have it now?

All office 2010 products have the ribbon interface.
Access DID have ribbons in 2007

 

[andyandrewjim]

yes it will. it makes the program think it is running on xp. Or get mirosoft office 2010.http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/default.aspx to work on windows 7 and it's free.

 

[kookster]

I am running office 2000 on windows 7 32-bit and 64-bit. No problem here. Only problem i have seen is the office assistant has pink around him, but i turn him off so :/

 

[Riser]

Office 2000 on my WIN 7 Pro x86 runs trouble free. Office 2010 Beta also runs trouble free. OpenOffice 3.1.1. and Thunderbird 3.0.1 both run trouble free. Interesting discussion of MS Office v/s OpenOffice. Office 2010 is quite sophisticated and resource intensive and expensive. OpenOffice is somewhat sophisticated but less resource intensive and free. All boils down to personal preference and in the case of Office 2010, whether or not we need the extensive functionality that MS keeps telling us we need. Were it not for the fact that Sun Microsystems (publisher of OpenOffice) was recently swallowed by Oracle, thus putting at risk the survival of OpenOffice, I would commit to OpenOffice, exclusively.

 

[Wasila]

Not entirely relevant - but similar question - do other programs of similar age work such as Wordperfect Office 2000? I also still have some ENVOY files...

EDIT: Also does this mean that Microsoft is conning us into buying the latest version? Checking Microsoft's compatibility website states that Microsoft Office 2000 is NOT compatible with 7.