Windows 10: Can I have multiple versions of MS word at the same time?

**sdowney717** · 05 Jul 2017

Can I install word 2007 and leave word 2002 on the PC, so that I can choose to run either?

OR would installing word 2007 destroy word 2002 ?

**swarfega** · 05 Jul 2017

During the install, you get to choose where to install it. However Word may well copy some files to system folders so those might conflict.

Is there a specific need to have more than one version?

**sdowney717** · 05 Jul 2017

might be, the gui looks very very different, people are used to one way of doing things, they might not like a new way. Plus just the ability to choose is nice with out that choice being compromised.

**Mystere** · 05 Jul 2017

Honestly, I'm not sure if Word 2002 (Was that even a version?) can be installed on Windows 10. That's a 15 year old program. It absolutely has not been updated to address various security issues, so running it would be a security risk to begin with.

Word 2007 does work, AFAIK. If you want the old UI, you're better off just using OpenOffice or something instead.

**sdowney717** · 05 Jul 2017

I have word 2002 installed and it works on windows 10.
Why do people doubt me?
open office will not work for people who are used to word.

adding screen shot as proof

**swarfega** · 05 Jul 2017

You could think about installing something like vmware then the relevant version of windows if you have a copy of it for the version of Word you want to run.

**Barman58** · 05 Jul 2017

You can run more than one version of Word concurrently on the one system, As long as care is taken in the install locations ... However, there are some known issues ...

Due to the system that Microsoft uses/used for the installation of office some files are unique to each version but are actually named the same and stored in the same location. This is mostly some of the installation files

This displays itself as a pop-up each time you "Switch" versions stating that there is a problem and a partial re-installation is require.

This "re-installation" then proceeds, (it's actually a number of specific files only), and once complete the selected version will run correctly until you decide to change back to the original version.

This used to be a regular issue where companies would update the main office suite, but not peripheral applications such as Visio & Project, which utilised the office install systems and would trigger the issue, but also applies when even One application from the suite is not the same as all others

This "re-Install" can takes time and depending on the hardware in use this time can be long enough to cause frustration or even annoyance, if you "switch" Versions often. If you are not likely to switch often then this is an acceptable situation less so if you change several times a week / day / Hour

I would not be Honest if I did not mention that the use of older Word/Office versions does have a Risk - these old versions were designed for an age where Malware was less advanced and thus are susceptible to malicious attack that the later versions are hardened against. If you do insist on using older versions, for whatever reason, (it's your choice after all ), then please invest in a top rated anti malware system

**swarfega** · 05 Jul 2017

That is a good point. You are vulnerable to malicious macros which later versions had better control over.

**Mystere** · 05 Jul 2017

swarfega said:

That is a good point. You are vulnerable to malicious macros which later versions had better control over.

Not just macros, but custom crafted .doc files as well. Not to mention, there's no support for .docx

**sdowney717** · 05 Jul 2017

I have windows defender running, and sometimes I run malware-bytes, but this is all, is it good enough?

Windows 10: Can I have multiple versions of MS word at the same time?

Can I have multiple versions of MS word at the same time?

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