Official Word Starter update?

Anonymous
2014-08-16T15:23:38+00:00

When I opened up my laptop this morning (8/16/14) there was a pop-up on the screen telling me  there was an update available for Microsoft Word Starter 2010 and asking me if I wanted to download it.  It did not look like the typical Windows or Office update notification.  I closed the pop-up and opened Windows update and ran it.  There were some updates available, but none that said they were for Word Starter.  IS there a new Update for Word Starter or is this someone trying to get me to download a virus?

***Office Product moved to Office 2010 by the Moderator.***

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Suzanne S Barnhill 279.1K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2014-11-20T16:27:28+00:00

Microsoft has posted a Knowledge Base article describing and explaining this popup and providing a solution. Find it at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3016799.

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Anonymous
2014-08-20T14:23:14+00:00

Hi everyone,

We heard back from the product group. The dialog is expected for a legitimate Office 2010 starter update. It appears for click to run scenarios where the path is missing a piece of information between the build that the user is running on and the latest available build.

The august update that was pulled is a Windows update, not an Office update.

Thanks!

DK - MSFT support

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-21T22:52:50+00:00

    Office Starter 2010 was not a GIFT from Microsoft.  Microsoft Office 2010 starter was supported by paid ad revenue -- sponsors paid Microsoft to endorse their products on the software.  And, as you say, I paid for it when I made the initial PC purchase. Sure, the product has been discontinued as factory-installed software but this doesn't alter the fact that millions of users still rely on the software we bought.  And millions of us don't deserved to be robbed of its utility--even if it has issues Microsoft is well aware of.

    I don't need the full Office package-- the Starter is just fine for my needs.  When I bought my desktop 3 years ago my purchased Office 2003 disc was not compatible.  On my laptop, which is win 8.1, I downloaded Open Office, which I don't particularly like. 

    I must admit that when my PC developed problems after falling for the fake update I considered purchasing a $99 subscription for the year--but I knew I could get the Starter back for FREEif I was just patient enough to withstand the nuisance of bringing the factory-settings up to current standards and removing all the bloatware.  The one advantage to complete restoration is that a lot of the unnecessary files that accumulate are removed.  I was fortunate to have the laptop to use while all this was going on.

    I don't know who is behind the fake update so I can't say if Microsoft is deliberately sabotaging its customers -- just don't fall for the fake pop-up.  Obviously someone knows who has the Starter installed and these users are targeted specifically--who they are and what their purpose is, I am unable to say.

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  2. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-10-21T22:50:45+00:00

    I've got news for you.  Bill Gates stepped out of an active role in Microsoft long before the advent of the Office Starter.  The only way that you could conceive of "all the department and staff working for Bill Gates" is that as a result of the work by "all the department and staff" Microsoft makes a profit and some of that goes to Bill Gates, along with all of the other shareholders, by way of dividend.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-21T22:04:53+00:00

    SUZANNE, First of all, all the department and staff you mentioned all work for Bill Gates and that is where the buck stops...  AT HIS DESK...  I don't care if it is out dated and as you say a free product, it should work and not get sabotaged by Microsoft...  Also FREE, I don't think so...  It came with the operating system on my computer and that was paid for...   Now, YES IF MICROSOFT (Suzanne, that would be anyone that works for Microsoft) MESSED THIS CLICK TO RUN THING UP, THEN THEY NEED TO GET ON HERE AND HELP CLEAN IT UP FOR FREE...   WHAT A GREAT WAY TO STIR UP BUSINESS, SEND OUT A CLICK TO RUN UPDATE....

    Suzanne, you keep saying that everything is OK and yet we keep hearing about cases like Victoria Thompson...  

    Maybe you would like to tell me and her what went wrong!!!!  And while you are at it, you can tell her who she will have to pay to fix it....

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