To ensure that your installation of Microsoft Office 97 goes as smoothly as possible, use the following steps:

1. Confirm your computer meets the Microsoft Office 97 installation requirements. To install and use Microsoft Office 97, you'll need:
   
   • A personal or multimedia computer with a 486 or higher processor.
   • Microsoft Windows® 95 operating system or Microsoft Windows NT® 3.51 with Service Pack 5 or later (will not run on earlier versions). If you are using Windows NT 4.0, it is recommended that Service Pack 2 be installed in order for the Microsoft Office applications to run properly.
   • For use on Windows 95: 8 megabytes (MB) of memory required to run applications individually (12 MB required to run Microsoft Access); more memory may be required to run additional applications simultaneously. An additional 8 megabytes (MB) of memory is required for WordMail
   • For use on Windows NT Workstation: 16 MB of memory required to run applications individually; more memory may be required to run additional applications simultaneously.
   • 54-158 MB hard disk space required; 112 MB required for typical installation, depending on configuration. Use the Office Upgrade Wizard during setup to maximize free disk space.
   • CD-ROM drive (Coupon enclosed for 3.5-inch high-density disks. CD-ROM product contains Microsoft Internet Explorer, additional clip art, fonts, video files, and sounds not available on 3.5-inch disks).
   • VGA or higher-resolution video adapter (Super VGA, 256-color recommended).
   • Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device.

   Additional items or services required to use certain features:
   

   • 9600 baud or higher modem (14.4 baud recommended).
   • Multimedia computer required to access sound and other multimedia effects.
   • Microsoft Mail, Microsoft Exchange, Internet SMTP/POP3, or other MAPI- compliant messaging software required to use e-mail.
   • Publish to the Web feature in Microsoft Access requires Microsoft Internet Information Server for Windows NT or Microsoft Personal Web Server for Windows 95.
   • Microsoft Exchange Server required for certain advanced workgroup functionality in Microsoft Outlook. Some Internet functionality may require Internet access and payment of a separate fee to a service provider

2. If you are using the upgrade version of Microsoft Office 97, confirm that you own one of the qualifying products.
   

   In order to use the upgrade version, you must have an earlier version of Microsoft Office or a competitive product that Microsoft has designated as a qualifying product. The qualifying products are:
   

   Office Suites

   • Microsoft Office (all versions for Microsoft Windows and Windows NT)
   • Microsoft Works (all versions for Windows)

   Word Processors

   • Microsoft Word for MS-DOS (2.0 or later)
   • Microsoft Word for Windows (all versions for Windows and Windows NT Workstation)
   • WordPerfect for MS-DOS (4.0 to 5.1)
   • WordPerfect for Windows (5.1 to 6.0)

   Spreadsheets

   • Microsoft Excel for Windows (all versions for Windows and Windows NT Workstation)
   • Microsoft Multiplan, all versions
   • Lotus 1-2-3 for MS-DOS (2.01 to 3.4)
   • Lotus 1-2-3 for Windows (1.0 to 4.01)

   Presentation Graphics

   • PowerPoint for Windows (2.0 or later)

   Scheduling

   • Microsoft Schedule+ (7.0)

   Project Management

   • Microsoft Project (1.0 or later)

   Databases

   • Microsoft Access (1.0 or later)
   • Microsoft FoxPro for MS-DOS (2.0 or later)
   • Microsoft FoxPro for Windows (2.5 or later)
   • Microsoft Visual FoxPro for Windows (3.0)

   In addition to the preceding products, the following products qualify for Microsoft Office 97 Service Release 1 (SR-1):

      Microsoft Office 97 for Windows, Professional Edition
      Microsoft Office 97 for Windows, Standard Edition
      Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
      Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
      Microsoft Access 97 for Windows
      Microsoft PowerPoint 97 for Windows
      Microsoft Outlook 97 for Windows, versions 8.0, 8.01, 8.02
   

   Note that not all earlier versions of Microsoft Office are eligible for the upgrade.
   

3. Check that you have sufficient disk space to install Microsoft Office 97.
   

   The disk space required to install Microsoft Office depends on the installation option you choose. The installation options include Compact, Typical, Custom, Run From CD, Run From Network Server, and Administrative Setup. The following table lists the disk space required for each.
   

   Installation option	Disk space required
   Typical	112.9 MB
   Custom (with Select All)	160.0 MB
   Run From CD	60.2 MB
   Run From Network Server..
   ..with shared files on your local drive	51.8 MB
   ..with shared files on a server	24.0 MB
   Administrative (setup /a)	323 MB

4. Remove earlier versions of Microsoft Office before installing Microsoft Office 97.
   

   The Microsoft Office 97 Setup program allows you to install directly over an earlier version of Microsoft Office. If you choose to remove the earlier version of Microsoft Office during Setup, the Setup program will remove earlier versions of Microsoft Office (Microsoft Office 4.2, Microsoft Office 4.3, and Microsoft Office 95) from your computer. However, Setup will not remove all the Microsoft Office files that have been installed into the \Windows\System folder. Files that may be used by other applications will not be removed.
   

   To completely remove all the older system files, it is recommended that you use the stand-alone version of the Office Upgrade Wizard before running Setup. This application is located in the \OffClean\ValuPack folder on your Microsoft Office 97 compact disc. The application file is named OffCln97.exe. Running this file will start the stand-alone version of the Office Upgrade Wizard.
   

   In the second step of the Wizard, choose Completely remove all of my old Microsoft Office applications to remove the system files and registry entries of the older Microsoft Office version (Microsoft Office 4.2, Microsoft Office 4.3, and Microsoft Office 95). You may, however, need to reinstall some other applications after using this option.
   

   Note If you are using an earlier version of Microsoft Office to qualify for the upgrade edition of Microsoft Office 97, running the stand-alone version of the Office Upgrade Wizard will remove that earlier version from your computer. You will need to have the diskettes or compact disc of the earlier version of Microsoft Office available to insert into your computer when it prompts you for a qualifying product during the upgrade process.
   

5. Scan your hard disk for any errors.
   

   The Windows 95 ScanDisk utility checks your disk's surface, files, and folders for any errors. Before installing Microsoft Office 97, run this utility to check your computer's hard disks and to correct any errors that are found.
   

   To run ScanDisk in Windows 95:
   

   a. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to SystemTools, and then click ScanDisk.

   b. Click the drive you want to check.

   c. Click Thorough. If you want to change the settings ScanDisk uses when checking the disk's surface, click Options. If you want to change the settings ScanDisk uses when checking files and folders, click Advanced.

   d. Click Start.
   

   Note If you are using Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0, the Windows NT operating system automatically scans your hard disk and corrects any errors at startup. You only have to restart your computer to have it check your hard disk and to correct any errors that are found.
   

6. Defragment your hard disk.
   

   The Disk Defragmenter utility in Windows 95 rearranges files and consolidates unused space on your hard disk. Before running Microsoft Office 97 setup, defragment your hard disks so that Microsoft Office is installed to a consolidated hard disk. Periodically, use Disk Defragmenter after installing Microsoft Office 97 to keep your hard disk optimized for better performance.
   

   To run Disk Defragmenter in Windows 95:
   

   a. Click the Start button, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.

   b. Click the drive you want to defragment, and then click OK.

   c. Change the settings for Disk Defragmenter. Click Advanced. Choose Full Defragmentation.

   d. Click Start.
   

   Note If you are using Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0, it is generally not necessary to defragment your computer. The Windows NT operating system does not include a disk defragmenter tool. However, if you have installed a third-party disk defragmenting tool, you may use it to further optimize your hard disk.
   

7. Virus Scan your Hard Disk.
   

   Microsoft has rigorous quality control measures to ensure that viruses are not on disks that we ship. The Setup disks are distributed virus-free in sealed, clear plastic envelopes that display a message about the Microsoft software license agreement. If disks are purchased in any other type of package, they should not be used.
   

   To check that viruses are not already present on your computer, scan the hard disk of your computer with a currently updated virus detector before installing Microsoft Office 97. Resident viruses on a computer may interfere with setup, may damage files after setup, and may infect the disks you are installing from. Some viruses will not interfere with the installation process. Instead, they may quietly infect your diskettes or remain on your hard disk until some event triggers them into damaging activity. If a virus is found on your computer, remove the virus before you run Setup.
   

8. Shut down all other programs that are running in Windows before installing Microsoft Office 97.
   

   The speed and stability of the setup process are optimized if there are no other programs running in Windows as you install Microsoft Office 97. Turn off virus scanning software, screen savers, messaging systems, and any other computer applications. Disable any running desktop utilities and terminate-and-stay-resident software programs (TSRs).
   

   It is especially important to turn off virus scanning software during the setup process. Virus software that runs in the background often detects changes in operating system configuration files and executable file sizes as signs of virus activity. Making changes to operating system configuration files and changing file sizes as files are copied and updated is a standard part of the Microsoft Office 97 setup process. Because of this, virus scanning software will often halt or interfere with the normal running of Microsoft Office Setup if both are being run at the same time.
   

9. If you're installing Microsoft Office 97 from a compact disc, have your CD key available.
   

   When installing Microsoft Office 97 from a compact disc, you will be prompted for a CD key as part of the setup process. This key is printed on a sticker affixed to the back of the compact disc case.

10. If you're installing Microsoft Office 97 from diskettes, have all your diskettes available.

    Microsoft Office 97 Standard edition is provided on a total of 45 diskettes. Microsoft Office 97 Professional edition is provided on a total of 55 diskettes. Depending on the options selected during Setup, you may not be prompted for every diskette.