Minimum System Requirements

Office 2003 runs only on Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Home, and Windows XP Professional. It's the first version of Office that will not run on the Windows 9x family of operating systems. For acceptable performance of Office 2003, Microsoft recommends the following minimum system configuration:

• An x86-compatible PC with a Pentium (or higher) processor running at 166MHz or higher. The recommended processor is a Pentium III.

• At least 64MB RAM; 128MB is preferred.

• 245MB of available hard disk space with 115MB on the hard disk where the operating system is installed. (Hard disk use will vary depending on configuration; custom installation choices may require more or less hard-disk space.) Allow an additional 50MB for each language pack installation.

• CD-ROM or DVD drive for a local installation or a network connection for a LAN-based installation.

• VGA or higher resolution monitor.

• Keyboard and mouse.

• A modem capable of communicating at 9600bps or higher, if you intend to use Outlook to send messages over a dial-up connection.

• Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP Home, or Windows XP Professional.

NOTE

Even though the minimum system requirements state only 245MB of free space on the hard drive, a full Office installation (with all templates, clip art, and options) requires upwards of 500MB.

Although these requirements are enough to run Office 2003, you'll enjoy significantly better performance with a more robust system. A Pentium III of 500MHz or higher with 256MB RAM will provide much better performance than the previously listed requirements.