This article describes the steps to take to preserve a previously installed version of Outlook while taking advantage of the features of Microsoft Office 2000.

NOTE: Previous versions of Outlook and Outlook 2000 cannot exist on the same computer.

Back to the top

The Windows Installer is designed to remove previous versions of Office if the installations are in the default path that Office uses. In some organizations, there is a need to maintain an existing installation of Outlook while installing Office.

To maintain an existing installation of Outlook, it is necessary to perform a Custom installation, selecting a different path for the Office installation.

Back to the top

Windows Installer Detection

NOTE: The options listed below are not presented to the user during the Setup process if a Typical installation is selected. Previous versions of Office will be removed without prompting. These options are available only with a Custom installation.

When the Windows Installer is first run, it detects earlier versions of Office. If earlier versions are found during this process, a screen entitled, Removing Previous Versions is displayed. A list of previous versions is displayed along with two information messages. The first message is: Followed by this message: If you continue to click Next to advance through the various Setup options without making the suggested alterations to your Setup path, all previous versions of Office programs will be removed.

NOTE: The default path for Office 97, Setup for Outlook 97, the Windows Installer for Office 2000, and Active Setup for Outlook 98 is:

Back to the top

Maintaining an Existing Outlook Installation

To customize the path for the Office installation, alter the default path in the Microsoft Office 2000 Installation Location screen. Specify a path different from that used by the currently installed version of Outlook.

If you proceed beyond this point, you may use the Back button to return to the Installation Location screen. It is possible that the default path was not used in either installation. The key to successfully maintain either Outlook 97 or Outlook 98 is the selection of a different path for Office 2000.

Back to the top