Why does Windows Update want me to install Office 2003 sp3?

[barrywohl]

Windows update has been recommending I install Office 2003 SP3. However, I have no Office 2003 components on my machine that I know of.

I'm running Vista Ultimate x64 on my T61p installed as a clean install on a brand new blank hard drive. I'm running Office 2007 Small Business Edition including Business Contacts, but these are all Office 2007, not Office 2003, as far as I know.

I keep choosing to not install this update, hoping it will go away. Does anyone know why Windows Update is recommending this update for me.

I've googled and googled and have not come up with anything.

Barry in Wyoming

[jdhurst]

This will not answer your question, but I installed the Office Shortcut bar from Office XP in my Office 2003 installation, and the update page wants me to run service packs for Office XP which I do not do.

So by analogy (although I may be way off track), there may be some small component you had not thought of. Just a possibility, mind you. ... JDH

[barrywohl]

This will not answer your question, but I installed the Office Shortcut bar from Office XP in my Office 2003 installation, and the update page wants me to run service packs for Office XP which I do not do.

So by analogy (although I may be way off track), there may be some small component you had not thought of. Just a possibility, mind you. ... JDH

I think it is some component of Office 2003, but I don't know what. Business contacts that came with 2007?

I was just hoping someone else here had figured it out.

[bhurley]

You say a brand-new blank hard drive, but did you have another hard drive in there previously before you put this one in? And did you have Office 2003 on that drive?

I remember reading somewhere that Office essentially "attaches" itself to your motherboard, so even if you put in a new hard drive there's still some vestigial bit of that version of Office that's on your computer. Not sure why that would affect Office Update, but it's a (slight) possibility that this is the explanation.

[barrywohl]

You say a brand-new blank hard drive, but did you have another hard drive in there previously before you put this one in? And did you have Office 2003 on that drive?

I remember reading somewhere that Office essentially "attaches" itself to your motherboard, so even if you put in a new hard drive there's still some vestigial bit of that version of Office that's on your computer. Not sure why that would affect Office Update, but it's a (slight) possibility that this is the explanation.

I never heard this. But, I removed the original hard drive before first boot and put in a blank hard drive on which I installed Vista Ultimate x86. Later I put in another new blank hard drive and installed Vista Ultimate x64.

[bhurley]

Yes, but the question is, did you ever have MS Office 2003 installed on that machine (regardless of hard drive)? If so, maybe that's why Office thinks you need an update to the 2003 version.

[barrywohl]

Never.

[SafeHarbor]

SQL Server for Office? It's installed with BCM in Office 2007. (I never install it because I don't need to run an SQL server for CONTACTS.)

Lamar

[barrywohl]

SQL Server for Office? It's installed with BCM in Office 2007. (I never install it because I don't need to run an SQL server for CONTACTS.)

Lamar

That sure could be it if SQL server for Office triggers Windows Update to ask for the Office 2003 sp3 update.

I have already applied the Office 2007 sp1 update, but maybe you are right.

[losmeme]

Windows update has asked me to install Office 2007 updates as well. I do not prefer to use Office, and it has never been on my machine. I think that may be a glitch in Windows Update. (Or social engineering to get you to buy their product!)

If you expand the tab in Windows Update, you can tell it to never show you that update again. I end of doing that with a lot of the updates Microsoft *thinks* I need!

[jdhurst]

I read (in the last 7 days) that Microsoft is going to put Office 2003 SP3 as a critical update, where up to now, it has been on the Office Update site. I have been running SP3 for a long while now, so my systems see nothing, but I am dismayed that Microsoft is doing this.

It now appears that all the people who like to mindlessly (or, a small number mindfully) loudly complain about Microsoft have had an impact. Microsoft has now embarked on an adventure to force people to do security updates whether they want to or not.

I have mixed feelings in that I do all the updates, but I do not like to be forced.

It's the same with many things: a handful of people misuse lawnmowers or automobiles or whatever, and all of us must endure safety features of questionable value and that are poorly engineered from a human usage standpoint. ... JDH