Despite what you might think and some info from Microsoft, you can install the Office 2007 upgrade without the qualifying program installed on the hard drive.
According to the Office 2007 upgrade retail box statement
“The enclosed program will search your hard disk to confirm your eligibility for this upgrade”
which isn’t entirely true as Microsoft’s own KB article makes clear.
There is a way to confirm eligibility without installing the upgradeable product to your hard drive. According to Microsoft you can do this during an Office 2007 setup:
“
- In the User Information dialog box, type the product key in the Product Key boxes, and then click OK.
- In the Product Compliance Check CD Key dialog box, click OK.
- In the Drive list, click the CD drive or DVD drive that contains the 2007 Office CD in the Product Compliance Check dialog box.
- Remove the 2007 Office CD from the CD drive or from the DVD drive. Then, insert the first CD from one of the qualifying products that are listed on the following Microsoft Web page:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101754511033.aspx
Note It will take approximately 30 seconds for the CD drive or the DVD drive to recognize the CD that you inserted. - In the Product Compliance Check dialog box, click OK.
- When the 2007 Microsoft Software License Terms appear, remove the CD for the earlier version of Office from the CD drive or from the DVD drive, and then insert the 2007 Office CD.
- Click to select the I accept the terms of the License Agreement check box after you read the license terms, and then click Next.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to install 2007 Office.
“
