Windows 7 needed for Office 2013 help

Renee

I've been able to buy MS Office Pro + 2013 for £8.95 but it only works with Windows 7 and I have XP.
I understand that if I get an OEM I don't get any online help from Microsoft.
My PC is 32 bit.
Is the best option to buy Windows 7 retail.

Any advice would be appreciated

flashg67

Have you ever need help from Microsoft? If so, then pay for the retail version. Personally, I never have, and have always used the OEM versions. You can still browse all their online help pages etc.

zaax

Microsoft is your problem. Use http://www.libreoffice.org/default/

Renee

Thanks, I think I'll go for the OEM.

InsideInsurance

Renee wrote: »

Is the best option to buy Windows 7 retail.

Any advice would be appreciated

Generally it is better to do a clean install in which case the full version of windows 7 (or 8 if you prefer) will enable you to do this. You can get the upgrade version instead if you prefer but upgrading is rarely as stable as a clean install.

Retail -v- OEM is an old one, generally there are enough forums out there to get help from as not needing to pay the premium for Retail but if you prefer the idea of being able to get help directly from MS then maybe it is worth it for you.

tronator

Renee wrote: »

I've been able to buy MS Office Pro + 2013 for £8.95 but it only works with Windows 7 and I have XP.
I understand that if I get an OEM I don't get any online help from Microsoft.
My PC is 32 bit.
Is the best option to buy Windows 7 retail.

Any advice would be appreciated

I doubt that it is a genuine copy of MS Office at that price if it's new...

Renee

Many years ago I worked for BT and as a BT pensioner I sometimes get some good deals and this is one of them.

Johnmcl7

tronator wrote: »

I doubt that it is a genuine copy of MS Office at that price if it's new...

Microsoft have a home purchase scheme for companies that have a large enterprise agreement that allows employees to buy a copy of Office for home use and the cost is usually around £8.95 although it's only valid while the employee still works for the company and while the company has the enterprise agreement.

John

bmewsd

tronator wrote: »

I doubt that it is a genuine copy of MS Office at that price if it's new...

actually, there are lots of corporates who provide their workers with access to very cheap version of legitimate software. MS Office for under a tenner is quite common.

Mr_Toad

tronator wrote: »

I doubt that it is a genuine copy of MS Office at that price if it's new...

It's genuine, it's the Microsoft Home Use program.
http://www.microsofthup.com/hupuk/home.aspx?culture=en-GB

As long as your employer is part of the program, they give you a company code, you get it for £8:95.

I've got the Mac version of Office via this offer.

Jivesinger

If you can cope with its foibles (and some people can't), Windows 8 Pro upgrade (from eg. PC World/ Amazon, it's £50) will probably be cheaper than Windows 7.

You can use the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant to get an assessment of whether your PC is compatible, without needing to buy it.