Downloadnig Windows programs (i.e. Word, Powerpoint)

**The United Funk** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:32 PM

I need Power Point for a school project, and I was going to just download it on bittorrent, but then I got to thinking. If I download this program, will I no longer be able to get Windows updates? I have Windows XP, and I know that if you have a stolen copy of Windows, you can't get updates without getting caught. My copy of Windows was purchased, but would downloading this program (or Word, for that matter--I only have Windows XP Home Edition, no Word) make it void?

**ccc1005** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:40 PM

No this shouldnt do anything to you windows updates, since this is a seperate program..

**Atarius** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:43 PM

Go to www.openoffice.org, for a free substitute for the programs you are asking for.

**cpugeniusmv** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:44 PM

It's a common misconception that "Word", "Excel", "Powerpoint", "Access", or "Publisher" come with Windows.

They don't. They are part of the Microsoft Office suite--completely separate from Windows.

In any case, having an illegal version of Office products should not disable your Windows Update functionality.

**ccc1005** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Atarius

Go to www.openoffice.org, for the a free substitute for the programs you are asking for.

I use linux and I even forgot about that, definately a good idea to go with open office, especially since its free :)

**Malakai1911** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:50 PM

Here's a second vote for OpenOffice... grab the new OpenOffice 1.9.m104... its amazing!

http://download.openoffice.org/680/index.html#download

Or bittorrent link for it (1.9.m104, Windows Installer, Bittorrent):
http://borft.student.utwente.nl:6969...c26589b9ca96ed

**cpugeniusmv** · May 23rd, 2005, 07:52 PM

OpenOffice would be a good choice. Make sure you have the opportunity to test your presentation on a computer with Microsoft Powerpoint, though. OpenOffice/MSOffice file format interchange still isn't perfect.

**Kevin33134** · May 23rd, 2005, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by cpugeniusmv

OpenOffice would be a good choice. Make sure you have the opportunity to test your presentation on a computer with Microsoft Powerpoint, though. OpenOffice/MSOffice file format interchange still isn't perfect.

Also, make sure when you save it that it is using the PPT extension so that PowerPoint can open it.

**DwarfBaby** · May 23rd, 2005, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by ccc1005

No this shouldnt do anything to you windows updates, since this is a seperate program..

At the moment. But Microsoft has been unusually open about it's Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage program and it's intent to bring it to "all" it's product lines including applications from Microsoft's Download Center, the Windows Update Web site, applications such as Windows Media Player and the Windows AntiSpyware, as well as security updates for all Microsoft products including Office and Outlook Express. It hasn't happened yet but I'd give a year, and surely by longhorn.

OpenOffice is a great program give it a try.