I need to use bits of software associated with Xp pro like Excel or other similar ones, but is it easy or even possible to change one's operating system, and if I have to buy it, it is it expensive?
2006-06-05 11:35:56 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Excel is part of Microsoft Office and it doesn't matter if you have Windows XP Home or Pro. If you specifically need Office programs then you gotta buy Office, otherwise get OpenOffice which is free or dowload the viewers you can use to open Office files but not edit them.
Office is expensive, as is upgrading to XP Pro. If you can use free software that will allow you to do the same but at zero cost.
2006-06-11 14:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by Gavin T 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can buy an upgrade to Windows XP Pro, but why?
XP Pro has advanced networking features if you have a server. You actually don't even need XP Pro in those installations.
Excel is a part of Office XP, and is not included with Windows XP Pro. So if you are looking for Excel, you would be buying the wrong thing.
2006-06-05 18:40:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can install an upgrade over your current OS, but the only real difference between Home and Pro is that Pro has more advanced networking features.
Excel is not unique to Pro - in fact, any software will run exactly the same on XP Home. It sounds like you need to get some new software, not a new operating system.
The latest version of MS Office will work fine on XP Home, so maybe you should get that instead...
2006-06-06 06:27:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To use any of the Microsoft Office products i.e., MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, it is not necessary to run them on XP Professional. They work fine on XP Home Ed. as well. It is not necessary to upgrade to XP Pro only to use these products, except if you want to use your computer for a networked environment and to use it as a server or some advanced machine. For home use, no need to spend extra hard earned money. But if you specify the use, may be a better advice can be offered.
2006-06-05 18:42:50 · answer #4 · answered by shah 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to use excell and stuff just buy MS Office 2003, XP Pro is not worth the cost.
2006-06-08 17:08:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think carefully why you want the PRO edition,
I have two computers side by side one is running Home the other is running Pro.
There has not been any reason to upgrade the home edition as the I have not found a difference in my set up yet, both work equally as well
2006-06-05 18:41:49 · answer #6 · answered by Robert B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your home edition is valid, you might be able to get service pack 2, with the latest updates, and the software is supposed to work. MS discovered that many of us needed just a few files to get the latest Office to function and most is included in the SP2.
However, if you want to save big bucks...get "OpenOffice.org", it is free and offers cross compatibility with All MS Office applications. Also, if you are into games and want to leave your current OS intact...get XANDROS OC...It will allow you to create a duel boot system and has OpenOffice in it! You can then work productively in the Xandros (Linux) world and game in the windows world. Oh ya,,,XANDROS also comes in a FREE edition ISO download. Download, burn to CD, Reboot, install and BOOM!
2006-06-05 18:43:53 · answer #7 · answered by jinx4swag 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get the pro upgrade fo xp, it will install over your home edition, it does cost a little, and is really not that big a deal for the average user, exceel, and other programs work the same in home as they do in pro
2006-06-05 18:59:33 · answer #8 · answered by butchell 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you indeed need to buy the Operating System Software. You can install any OS you want to if you fulfill the basic system requirements.... so check your system requirements and install the OS accordingly...
2006-06-06 00:43:35 · answer #9 · answered by Allied 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to buy it, and once you have a new OS, you have to re-install everything you had on your computer. Home edition is good enough anyway, why do you need Pro?
2006-06-05 18:38:21 · answer #10 · answered by Hot T-Bone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋