Microsoft Office 2003 Editions Trial Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft Office 2003 is the current version of Microsoft Office. It comes in a number of different editions available as a preinstalled trial from your PC manufacturer. Either the Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003 and Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 Trial software will be preinstalled on your PC as a combination to choose from or Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 Trial software will be preinstalled. Microsoft Office 2003 Editions:

No, they are not the same. Microsoft Office comes in a variety of different editions, and provides full-featured productivity applications for both home and business users. Works is a low-cost alternative to full-featured Microsoft Office editions. Microsoft Works 8.0 is a nicely integrated productivity package designed specifically for home users and families. Its key modules—word processor, spreadsheet, and database—provide extensive help and are best suited for computing beginners. Works also features an easy-to-use dictionary and calendar. Works Suite 2005 includes Works 8.0 plus five other complete Microsoft programs integrated into one affordable package. The other programs include Microsoft Word 2002 (previous edition of Microsoft Office Word 2003), Microsoft Picture It! Premium 10, Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia Standard 2005, Microsoft Money Standard 2005, and Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005.

Yes. Microsoft Works qualifies you for upgrade pricing to Microsoft Office 2003 Upgrade Editions.The price varies based on a number of factors including: edition, purchase channel (for example, retail or online), and country. In general, suggested retail prices for Microsoft Office 2003 Editions in the U.S. that are part of the preinstall trial program are as follows:

Note  The trial program qualifies new users for upgrade pricing by upgrading from Works.

There are several different Microsoft Office trial programs available to consumers. Most consumers visiting this site will find a free 60-day trial of Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 on a new PC that they have purchased. This is known as the preinstall or OEM trial program. Find information about other Microsoft Office Trials.

Activation allows you to start using the trial software. The process to activate your trial software begins when you open any Office 2003 program. In the Start menu, click All Programs, then click Microsoft Office. Select any Office application, for example, Word. When the trial software is launched for the first time, the Microsoft Office 2003 Setup Wizard will be launched and you will be required to activate the trial online—an Internet connection must be available to activate the trial software. You will be prompted to enter the 25 character trial product key which can be found on the Microsoft Works Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or the Microsoft Product Identifier Card depending on your PC manufacturer. The MPI card is located within your PC support materials and the COA is located on either the reverse side of the Works CD wallet or COA card that is distributed with your new computer. For more information, visit the Get Started with the Office 2003 Editions Trial page.

Depending on your computer manufacturer, the trial product key may be illustrated on one of the following materials:

Your Microsoft Product Identifier (MPI) Card or your Certificate of Authenticity (COA) will contain the 25-character trial product key.

Only one of these materials containing the 25-character trial product key was shipped with your PC. In the middle of the MPI card, the 25-character trial product key is located between the arrows. Near the bottom of the COA image, you will see a bar code and a 25-character product key located above it. If you can not locate your trial product key as part of your original media, please request a free replacement trial product key.

No. You must activate the trial software before you can use it.

No. If you try to activate a product that has been already activated, a message will appear indicating that the product has already been activated.

If you cancel the activation process at any time, or if activation is interrupted for any other reason (for example, if the Internet connection is lost), you will still have the opportunity to go through the activation process until you have successfully activated the trial software.

No. Personal information is not captured by Microsoft during the activation process.

If you want to receive updates and other promotional information on Microsoft products, you can register after activating the software. Registration is optional and is not tied to activation or required to use the software.

Registration is completely voluntary and does require sharing some personal information, such as a valid e-mail address. Any registration information provided is stored securely and separately from any activation information. No information is ever loaned or sold to third parties, unless Microsoft has received your consent to share information with third parties. When you register your software, Microsoft can send you customized information and offers regarding future products, as well as provide you with improved product support and product update information. Privacy information for any Microsoft Office System application is saved within a privacy statement which is available through the Help for the application. For a complete privacy policy for any Microsoft Office System application, search Help in any application for "Privacy Statement" (without the quotes).

The help button on the Activation Wizard provides details pertaining to each Activation Wizard screen.

Once activated, trial software will be fully functional for approximately 60 days.The trial period begins to run when you activate the software and the length of the trial period will vary depending on when the trial was activated. The trial software will only expire at the last day of the month within a user’s trial period. During the activation process, you will be notified of the date on which the trial period will expire. Trial software acquired preinstalled on a new PC will be fully functional for approximately 60 days from the date a user activates the trial software.

After the trial expires, the software goes into reduced functionality mode. In reduced functionality mode you can continue to view and print files, but you cannot modify existing files or create and save new ones. You can convert the software to a full version by purchasing a perpetual product key either from an authorized retailer or online. To convert the software after the trial period, open an Office application, and then open the Help menu, and select Activate Product.

Thirty days before the trial period ends, you will start receiving expiration reminder messages indicating the date that the trial will expire. A message will be displayed 15 days prior to the expiration date, and daily messages will be displayed the last 10 days before the trial expires. In all of the messages, you are given the opportunity to convert the trial to perpetual software. If you choose not to convert from an expiration notice, then you can also convert from an Office application by opening the Help menu, and selecting Activate Product.

You can convert your trial software to the full product version by clicking Convert in any of the expiration reminder messages. You can also convert from trial software to the full product version at any time during the trial, or even after the trial has expired. In any of the Office 2003 Editions programs, in the Help menu, click Activate Product.

Yes, but you may have to uninstall the trial before proceeding. To experience a simpler conversion process, the full product version should be the same version and language as the trial software. For example, if the trial software is Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 and in English, the full product version should be Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 and in English as well—see the following table as an example. If the full product version is a different language version or a different edition, you will be prompted to uninstall the trial and manually install the full product version. The only exception to this is the Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 trial software. With this trial software you can convert to either Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 or Microsoft Office Standard Edition 2003. The language version of the perpetual software, though, must still be the same as the trial software.

Note  To learn who qualifies for the Office 2003 Student and Teacher English version, visit the Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003 site.

You can convert from the trial to the full product version either by obtaining the full product at a retail location or converting it online. A true conversion, where you do not have to uninstall the trial and then manually install the full product version, occurs when you convert to the same language and edition as the trial version. For example, if the trial software is Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003 and in English, the full product version should be Office Small Business Edition 2003 and in English as well. Learn more about how to convert your trial.

If you choose to convert your trial online, you can convert it in two ways

Learn more about how to convert your trial.

If you choose to convert your trial by obtaining the software at a retail location, make sure you acquire a version that is in the same language and edition as the trial software. For example, if the trial software is Office Small Business Edition 2003 and in English, the full product version should be Office Small Business Edition 2003 and in English as well or learn more about how to convert your trial.

Absolutely. Microsoft supports your preferred method of purchase, whether it is through your favorite local reseller or online. Visit the Microsoft Production Information Center to view a list of resellers. Learn more about how to convert your trial.

Microsoft Office has never been included for free with Microsoft Windows. Many PC manufacturers offer a trial version of Microsoft Office 2003 on new computers as a service to their customers. Windows is an operating system and typically comes with the price of a new PC. However, Microsoft Office is a package of productivity applications that is sold separately from the operating system for an additional fee.

Learn more about how to use Microsoft Office.
Find more information about how to activate and convert the trial. This site provides access to newsgroups and the online support center. To receive a list of the top 10 issues and resolutions regarding the use of the trial software, send an e-mail message to pctrial@microsoft.com.

If you would like to pay for support, there is an option to pay $35 U.S. for 1 support incident. If you have converted the software to a full or perpetual product, then you have access to free support. Learn more about technical support.

There is no live phone support during the trial, but you can use these resources to get support online and from other Office users.

For automated answers to top issues and questions regarding the Microsoft Office pre-installed trial program call the toll-free information line at (877) 467-8742.

Note  This is not a live support agent. Service only available in the United States and Canada.

There are several potential reasons why activation may not be successful.

You should only use the Convert button during the activation process if you are ready to convert the trial to a full or perpetual copy of the software. Converting allows you to purchase a perpetual product and own your Microsoft Office 2003 Edition.

In order to validate if your customer has trial version or full perpetual version of the Office 2003 Edition, follow these easy steps:

Learn more about how to convert your trial.

Although we do not recommend it, you can install and use more than one version of Microsoft Office on a single computer. For example, you can install and use both Microsoft Office 2003 and Microsoft Office 97 on the same computer. The exception to this is Microsoft Outlook. Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 cannot coexist with any earlier version of Microsoft Outlook. If you choose to install Office Outlook 2003, the Setup program will not allow you to keep any earlier version. Microsoft Outlook 2002, Microsoft Outlook 2000, or Microsoft Outlook 98 will be removed even if you select the Keep these programs check box in the Removing Previous Versions dialog box. Learn more about these potential issues.

It is not necessary to uninstall the trial if you choose not to convert the software. However, if you choose to purchase another Microsoft Office 2003 Edition (for example, Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003) then it is recommended to uninstall the trial software prior to loading the software. To uninstall the trial, you should follow these steps: