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I have a disk and product key for Office 2003 and would like to install it on my new laptop, but it doesn't have a CD drive. I copied the files from the disk to a flash drive on my old laptop and used that to upload to my new one. When I start setup, it acts like it's going to work, but then after I enter the product key, it says the installation can't continue because the source file is corrupted. What should I do? I really want to be able to make this work, as I'm fond of Office 2003 and would only ever use another version if I absolutely have to. But everything I've tried so far hasn't worked. It always comes back to that same popup saying the installation source file is corrupted. Can anyone help me? Thanks!
*I don't know if it's pertinent to this, but my new laptop is an HP with Windows 10.
Processes in Microsoft 365 for setting up Office apps, redeeming product keys, and activating licenses.
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Thanks! Yeah, I'm not sure why it didn't work either, but I ended up just ordering an external player like you suggested :)
My previous laptop was windows 10 as well, and Office 2003 worked fine on it. I used it for 6 years with no compatibility issues. Only difference now is my new laptop has no cd drive so I can't easily pop the disk in and install. It sucks because I really love the 2003 version...I guess I'll have to just get used to a current version. Thanks for your help anyway!
2003 went out of support years ago, so no updates of any type, and is not fully compatible with win10, so as such don't even bother to try.
As it is you may well have trashed your system/win in copying 2003 files to your system
If you are unable to rectify via a system restore, then you are left with recovering your laptop to factory setting (Personally I would think it better to do that)
If you are not prepared to buy a current, supported version of Office for your new PC, then maybe one of the free Office type apps, that can both read/create Office docs
CD: not sure why installing from flash drive did not work maybe you need to copy again then double click on the setup.exe file. The only other option it to purchase an external DVD player. They are inexpensive. Also, you really need the SP3 which is still online: Download Office 2003 Document: Office 2003 Service Pack 3 White Paper from Official Microsoft Download Center
Description of Office Compatibility Pack SP3 (microsoft.com)
You also need the Office 2007 Service pack if you want to open .docx files (This may be of assistance) Description of Office Compatibility Pack Service Pack 2 (microsoft.com)