When I install visio 2013 it kicks out my office 365 programs completely.

Question

When I install visio 2013 it kicks out my office 365 programs completely. I have to uninstall all office 365 programs to get visio 2013 to install. It won't install otherwise. Have downloaded a deployment tool for office 2013 but it seems very complicated to use. Have tried moving shortcuts to flash drives and the desktop with no luck. When office 365 programs were re-installed, these shortcuts disappeared because the program they came from disappeared. Is it possible to get visio 2013 to install side by side with Microsoft 365?

Answer 1

Dear Tom,

Good day, and thank you for the detailed description of your issue. From my research, the behavior you are seeing comes down to how the two products are installed. Visio 2013 is an MSI (Windows Installer) based product (version 15.0), while Microsoft 365 Apps uses Click-to-Run technology (version 16.0). When Visio 2013 installs, it is detecting a conflict and removing your Microsoft 365 Apps to complete its own installation, which is exactly the behavior you described.

The good news is that because these are two different versions (15.0 vs 16.0), coexistence is technically possible. The two most common blockers are usually a bitness mismatch or an install-order issue, both of which you can address.

1.Match the bitness (32-bit vs 64-bit)

Both products must be the same bitness, you cannot mix 32-bit and 64-bit Office products on the same machine.

Check your Microsoft 365 bitness: open any Office app > File > Account > About (it will say 32-bit or 64-bit).

Confirm your Visio 2013 media is the same bitness.

If they do not match, that alone will prevent them from installing together.

2.Install in the correct order

Microsoft recommends installing the earlier version first. So the recommended sequence is:

• Uninstall both products so you start clean.
• Install Visio 2013 (MSI) first.
• Then install Microsoft 365 Apps (Click-to-Run).
• If Microsoft 365 Apps behaves oddly afterward, run an Online Repair to restore it.

Installing in this order, with matching bitness, gives you the best chance of getting them to coexist.

3.Cleanest long-term solution: use a newer Visio

Since Visio 2013 is no longer supported by Microsoft, the most reliable long-term option is to move to a newer Click-to-Run version of Visio that is specifically designed to install side-by-side with Microsoft 365 Apps, such as:

• Visio Plan 2 (subscription, the best fit alongside Microsoft 365)
• Visio 2021 or Visio LTSC 2024 (one-time purchase)

These use the same Click-to-Run technology as Microsoft 365 Apps, so they coexist cleanly without removing your existing Office programs.

For references:

• Install and use different versions of Office on the same PC | Microsoft Support
• Supported scenarios for installing different versions of Office, Project, and Visio on the same computer | Microsoft Learn
• Office installed with Click-to-Run and Windows Installer on same computer isn't supported | Microsoft Support

I hope this information helps clarify the situation and provides you with workable solutions. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to help. Have a wonderful day.

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