Download Microsoft Office 2013: Where and How
While not officially available until the fall, a preview version of Microsoft Office 2013, released recently, is being offered for PC users.
The latest of Microsoft's popular office software, which contains new versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote applications, is being designed to work specifically with its new operating system, Windows 8, which also is scheduled for a fall release [Download Windows 8]. In order to work with Windows 8, the new Microsoft Office responds to touch as naturally as it does to a keyboard and mouse. Users can swipe their finger across the screen, or pinch and zoom, to read documents and presentations. The software is also compatible with styluses, to create content, take notes and access features.
Unlike other versions of the software, the newest Microsoft Office works in tandem with the cloud. Office saves documents to its "SkyDrive" by default, so content is always available across users’ tablets, PCs and smartphones. The new Office is also available as a cloud-based subscription service. As subscribers, users automatically get future upgrades in addition to a number of cloud services, including Skype world minutes and extra SkyDrive storage.
The new Microsoft Office is also highly social. It offers a secure, private social network for businesses; lets users follow people, teams, documents and sites in SharePoint; and has a "People Card" that includes contact information complete with pictures, status updates and activity feeds from Facebook and LinkedIn accounts.
Other highlights include digital note-taking and a new Presenter View in PowerPoint that privately displays users' current and upcoming slides, presentation time and speaker notes at one time.
The preview version is not currently available for Mac computers. The final version, however, will include Office for Mac.
Where to Download Microsoft Office 13
Since only the preview version is available, users must download it directly from the Microsoft Store. By downloading through the Microsoft Store, users can guarantee their software is free of any dangerous malware. When the final version is offered, users will be able to download it from a number of trusted retailers. Past versions have been sold by Dell, Newegg, OfficeMax and Discount Mountain Software.
Downloading Microsoft Office 13
To download the new Microsoft Office, users must visit the special Office preview website and be registered with a Microsoft account. When downloading the software, users can choose one of four versions, depending on their individual needs. Among the choices are Office 365 Home, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Access, and Publisher, and Office 365 Small Business, which features Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Lync, as well as professional email, multi-party HD video conferencing, a public website and shared documents. Also available for download is Office 365 ProPlus, which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Lync. Users of ProPlus also get enterprise-grade security, side-by-side support previous versions of Office, and specialized IT controls. In addition, users can download Office 365 Enterprise, which includes everything in the ProPlus version, as well as Exchange Online. After selecting the version, the system will walk users through the download process. Users have the option of downloading the software on up to as many as five PCs.
To download the new Microsoft Office, users must ensure their computer meets the software's minimum requirements. Windows computers must have at least a 1 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM and 3.5 GB of free disk space.
Download Time
Depending on Internet speed, downloading Microsoft Office can take anywhere from 15 to 135 minutes.
Download Dangers
Even though the software has been thoroughly tested anddeemed safe by Microsoft, users should be aware that preview versions of any software can still have bugs. Preview versions have been known to cause a computer to crash, not work with certain software and hardware, have trouble connecting to corporate or home networks and have files that might be corrupted. Users should also be aware that the preview version will expire approximately 60 days after the final version of Office becomes available in the fall.
