How to reload the preloaded Microsoft 2010 Starter

[Victorialk]

I accidentally deleted the preloaded Microsoft Office 2010 Starter (English) from my computer.  Yes, I am an idiot.  The question is-- how do I get it back?  I have an HPdv7-6187cl that is barely 2 months old.

Please help me and I promise to never try to fix a computer problem after 10pm ever, ever again!  

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

Hi, Victoria:

First of all, you are not an idiot.

However, you may be out of luck.

Try launching the system restore utility and see if that brings the program back.

The link below will show you how to use the utility if you have never used it before.

Pick a restore point to a time before you deleted the program.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/system-restore

If that does not work, you cannot restore the program.

Office 2010 Starter is not available for download, nor is it on the recovery disks or recovery partition.

If you can't get it back using system restore, chalk it up to a learning experience.

Paul

[Victorialk]

Thank you, Paul, for your advice and for saying that I am not an idiot (although, when it comes to computers, I come pretty darn close...). 

I'm going to try the system restore.  But a few questions:

Do I need to be connected to the internet to do this (we have dialup at home and I would, if needed, have to take my laptop to our local library to use the wifi)?

I loaded, and am actually using, the Microsoft  Office XP Small Business 2002 that I used on my last computer.  Do you think that the Microsoft Office Starter 2010 may interfere with this?  The old version of office has been working just fine so far so I'd hate to screw it up.

Thanks so much for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

You do not need to be connected to the internet to run the system restore.

If you installed Office XP after you removed Office Starter, then yes, system restore will remove Office XP, and you will need to reinstall Office XP if you want to continue using it.

I am not quite sure how that old version of office will affect the new 2010 version. I don't think it will matter.

At work we have Office 2003 (Access, Excel and PowerPoint), but Outlook is 2007, and these versions seem to work OK.

It is not the most ideal situation, I'm sure, but I think you can have both Office versions installed.

Paul

[Victorialk]

Another question, please. 

When I reinstall the Office XP 2002 disc, do you know if I will have to reactivate the account  again?  Or will my system just install the programs off of the cd and allow me to go on my merrry way?

With the Office XP program installed, I certainly don't need the Office 2010 Starter, but I pid for the preload so I want it (if I can).  I am much more comfortable with my good ol' Office XP, though. 

Again, thanks for sharing your (obviously vast amount of) knowledge!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, you will have to enter the product key, and reactivate Office XP, but activation shouldn't be a problem since you are installing it on the same PC.

You're very welcome. I am glad to help.

I just hope the system restore works for you.

Paul