Last week, we confirmed that Microsoft plans to ship its
next Office release to system manufacturers in early March 2010. Now, we are
able to confirm that the release will be shipped in both 32-bit and 64-bit flavors
thanks to some hidden clues that Microsoft left in Windows 7 beta releases.
According to Ed Bott from ZDNet, some of the arcane files
that are included with Windows 7 beta releases seem to reveal clues to an
upcoming Office x64 release. For instance, Windows 7 build 7000 includes an
obscure XML file called Migwiz.xml which includes the same list of applications
found in Windows Vista. In post-beta builds, however, this file has been
updated to include more modern programs. It was in the header of this file that
Ed noted the Office 14 section includes an extra “_x64” entry for each listed
Office program.
In addition, he notes that there are separate sections
labeled “Office x86 detects” and “Office x64 detects." The file points out the ability to upgrade
from Office 2003 to 'Office 14' 32-bit or 64-bit, and likewise from Office 2007
to 'Office 14' 32-bit or 64-bit.
The fact that these codes are to be
implemented in the final release of Windows 7 later this year ultimately
confirms Microsoft's plans to release 'Office 14' in early 2010 as reported.
Moreover, the inclusion of native 64-bit support for Office is a huge plus for
the entire suite.
Monday, 23 March 2009 09:04
Microsoft 'Office 14' to ship in 32-bit and 64-bit
Written by Jon Worrel
Confirmed by Windows 7 beta XML files
Published in
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