How to Install Microsoft Word 2010: Guide for Windows XP, Vista, and 7

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Easily install Microsoft Word 2010 with either a CD or a digital download

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Last Updated: June 26, 2023 Tested

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• Checking to See if Word 2010 Is Already Loaded on Your PC
|
• Installing Word 2010 From Disc
|
• Downloading Windows 2010
|
• Activating Word 2010
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• Tips

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With Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft introduced a change to the word processing program's interface, replacing the menus and toolbars with a menu ribbon. With Word 2010, however, Microsoft has introduced an alternative to installing its software from a compact disc or DVD. You can still install Word from disc, but you can now also download Word from the Internet and activate either version with a 25-character product key card. The following steps tell you how to install either version of Word 2010 in Windows XP, Vista, or 7.

Things You Should Know

• Word 2010 may already be installed on your PC, which you can check by going to your Start menu, selecting All Programs, and navigating to Microsoft Office.
• If you have a Word 2010 CD, you can put it into your computer's disc drive and install using the on-screen guide.
• You can alternatively download Word 2010 from Microsoft if you don't have the CD or you don't have a disc drive on your PC.
• Upon starting Word 2010 for the first time, you will be prompted for an activation code; this code should be on the CD case if you have a disc or would have been provided to you if you bought the code online.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Checking to See if Word 2010 Is Already Loaded on Your PC

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1. 1
   Click the Windows Toolbar Start Menu button.

   • In Windows XP, the button is a rectangular button labeled "Start."
   • In Windows Vista and Windows 7, the button is a circular button displaying the Windows logo.
2. 2
   Select All Programs.
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3. 3
   Select Microsoft Office. Because Microsoft Word is part of the Microsoft Office suite of programs, this option will be present if any of the Office components have been installed.

   • In Windows XP, "Microsoft Office" appears as a menu prompt that displays a submenu when clicked.
   • In Windows Vista and Windows 7, "Microsoft Office" appears as a folder that displays its contents beneath it when clicked.
4. 4
   Look for an icon labeled "Microsoft Word 2010." The icon bears a large, capital, blue "W."

   • Many PCs that run Windows now come with trial versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel installed, either in addition to or replacing their less powerful counterparts in Microsoft Works.
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Section 2 of 4:

Installing Word 2010 From Disc

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1. 1
   Insert the disc into your drive. A compact disc (CD) can be inserted into either a CD or DVD drive. A DVD, however, can only be inserted into a DVD drive.
2. 2
   Wait for the AutoPlay window to appear. This signifies that your drive has read the disc and is ready to install the software.

   • If the AutoPlay window does not appear, you can open My Computer or Windows Explorer, right-click on the letter for your CD or DVD drive showing that Microsoft Office or Microsoft Word is present and then click AutoPlay.
3. 3
   Follow the instructions in the AutoPlay window to begin the installation. You'll be asked whether to install the program to a default directory or a different directory and may be presented with a license agreement.
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Section 3 of 4:

Downloading Windows 2010

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1. 1
   Enter "Download Word 2010" into the search field of any Internet search engine. A list of websites will appear.
2. 2
   Select a download website. While a number of sites offer Word 2010 downloads, you should choose a trustworthy site, such as Microsoft's own website or a reputable third-party site.
3. 3
   Click the "Download" or "Download Now" button. You may first be asked to read a license agreement.
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Section 4 of 4:

Activating Word 2010

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1. 1
   Find your Word 2010 or Office 2010 product key. Where your product key card is located depends on whether you installed from a disc, downloaded from the Internet, or Word was pre-installed.

   • If you installed from a disc, your product key will appear on the disc case on a card label opposite the disc holder.
   • If you downloaded from the Internet or Word was pre-installed, your product key is on a card inside a package labeled "Product Key Card."
2. 2
   Start up Office 2010 or Word 2010. You'll see a startup screen with a check mark.
3. 3
   Click Activate. You'll be prompted to enter your 25-character product key. Once this is entered and verified, Word 2010 will be activated.
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Tips

• When installing the Microsoft Office suite from a disc, you can choose to install only some of its applications by choosing Customize and then right-clicking the applications you don't want to install and selecting "Not Available" from the popup menu. (You won't be able to remove individual programs from the Office suite installation, however; you must uninstall Office completely and then reinstall the programs you want.)
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• Save your product key. If Word came pre-installed or you downloaded it, it will entitle you to download the program again if your hard drive is accidentally erased.
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• When deciding whether to purchase Word 2010 in disc form or a product key card, consider how many PCs you own and whether you want to have a disc. If you have only one PC or if you have trouble keeping your discs organized, you may prefer having a product key card.
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