Office 2010 Beta - free download

The Office 2010 public beta is now available for free download at  http://www.microsoft.com/office/2010/en/default.aspx


You’ll need a live id (passport) and answer a short survey to get to the download page.

I highly recommend users not install it on their “production” system. If you ignore this advice, install the 32bit version, especially if you use add-ins or sync with devices. Existing add-ins will not work with the 64bit version. There is a good chance they will work with the32bit build.

For best results, uninstall your current version of Outlook and make a backup copy of any PST in your profile. The old profile should work ok, but you should consider making a new one.

If you use the Outlook Connector uninstall it before installing it beta. Outlook should offer to download the new connector for you. If not, make a new profile and add the Hotmail/Live account to it. This should bring up the offer to download the new connector. Once installed, it will work with the account in the old profile.

Bonus tip: Look on the File tab for Options and Account settings.  Thank goodness this is back!!