12 May 2000

What is the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
The Office 2000 SR-1a Update is a planned service release that provides important product updates to Office 2000. Although some of these updates are currently available separately, the SR-1a Update is a convenient way to receive the latest updates in one place. If you already have Office 2000, you can install the Office 2000 Service Release 1a (SR-1a) Update. The Office 2000 SR-1a product will be available in retail stores.

What updates are included in the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
The key updates in the Office 2000 SR-1a Update are application updates and updated system-level components. Application updates include security updates, such as the previously released security updates Excel 2000 SYLK File Security Update and Worm.Explore.Zip (Pack) Virus Alert, and product updates that address specific product issues. System-level components used by Office 2000 have also been updated to Windows 2000 system levels, including Windows Installer 1.1. For a detailed list of SR-1 updates see the Office 2000 SR-1 Updates List.

What is the Office 2000 SR-1a update?
The Office 2000 SR-1a update includes the original Office 2000 SR-1 update and the Office 2000 SR-1/Windows 2000 Utility: Registry Repair. This utility is the only addition to the SR-1a update. If you have already installed the SR-1a update and have not upgraded from Windows NT 4 to Windows 2000, you do not need this utility. If you have upgraded from Windows NT 4 to Windows 2000 and have already installed the SR-1 update, you should only install the Office 2000/Windows 2000 Repair Utility. All other users should install the SR-1a update.

Who needs the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
Microsoft recommends that Office 2000 users update to Office 2000 SR-1a for optimal benefits. If you are interested in obtaining the latest Office 2000 updates, security updates, and updated system-level components, you should update to Office 2000 SR-1a.

How can I tell if I have Office 2000 SR-1 installed on my computer?
From any Office program, click Help, then click the item that begins with About, such as About Microsoft Excel. If you have Office 2000 SR-1 installed, SR-1 will appear in the dialog box.

How do I tell if I have the SR-1a update installed?
To determine if the SR-1a update is installed, please read "OFF2000: How to Determine Which Version of the SR-1 Update Is Installed."

I'm trying to install SR-1a, but the installation dialog boxes say SR-1. How do I get SR-1a?
The installation process for SR-1a will not indicate that SR-1a is installing. The installation dialog remains SR-1. The SR-1a update is the only Office 2000 service release available on Microsoft Office Online. If you install the update from the Office 2000 SR-1 Download Details page, you will install the SR-1a update. To determine if SR-1a is installed on your computer, please see "OFF2000: How to Determine Which Version of the SR-1 Update Is Installed."

I already have Office 2000. How do I get the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
You can install the Office 2000 Service Release 1a (SR-1a) Update.

What is the size of the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
The Office 2000 Service Release 1a (SR-1a) Update is approximately 26-40 MB and takes approximately two to three hours to download with a 28.8 modem. The download time will depend on the speed of your Internet connection. The size of the update depends on whether you're running a single Office 2000 application or the entire Office 2000 Premium suite.

Will I need to pay for the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
No, the Office 2000 Update is free for Office 2000 customers. The Office 2000 Service Release 1a (SR-1a) Update is the easiest and fastest way to receive the latest office 2000 updates, and will be appropriate for most Office 2000 users.

For information on international availability, see Office 2000 SR-1a International Releases.

When will the Office 2000 SR-1a product be available in retail?
The Office 2000 SR-1a product will be available in retail, beginning in June 2000. PhotoDraw Version 2 will be included in new Office 2000 SR-1a Premium packages.

If I recently purchased Office 2000, will it have Office 2000 SR-1 included?
The back of the retail packaged box will indicate if Office 2000 SR-1 is included. If you have already installed Office 2000, from any Office program, click Help, then click the item that begins with About, such as About Microsoft Excel. If you have Office 2000 SR-1 installed, SR-1 will appear in the dialog box. If you do not have Office 2000 SR-1, you can install the Office 2000 Service Release 1a (SR-1a) Update.

Why do I have to have my original Office 2000 media to install the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
To ensure the integrity of your Microsoft Office 2000 installation, the Windows Installer requires access to your installation media or network installation location before applying any Office 2000 update. For more information, read Why Does the Office 2000 SR-1 Update Require the Office 2000 CD??

What if I don't have my original Office 2000 media?
If Office 2000 came preloaded on your machine, contact your hardware manufacturer for replacement media. If you purchased Office 2000 at a reseller and have proof of purchase, you may call 1-800-360-7561 to order a replacement disk set.

Do I need Office 2000 SR-1a if I'm running Windows 2000?
Office 2000 SR-1a is not required for running Office 2000 on Windows 2000; however, you will receive the best Windows 2000 and Office 2000 experience with Office 2000 SR-1a.

How will international versions of Office 2000 be updated?
Localized versions of the Office 2000 SR-1a product will be available for all 32 languages that Office 2000 supports. For more information, visit Office 2000 SR-1a International Releases.

Why do my Office 2000 applications exit a few seconds after opening?
Office 2000 SR-1a is designed to update licensed, released copies of Office 2000. Those users who have a released and licensed version of Office 2000 will not run into this when installing SR-1a. Customers using unlicensed Office 2000 software or pre-release (e.g., preview) software will not be able to upgrade successfully to SR-1a. Users who are inadvertently running unlicensed copy should uninstall their current installation and reinstall a released copy of Office 2000, and then apply the SR-1a update. Users who are still running into this issue after they have uninstalled and reinstalled should contact product support. Or, they should follow the directions in the article posted at: http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/5/03.asp.

Why isn't PhotoDraw Version 2 included in the Office 2000 SR-1a Update?
PhotoDraw Version 2 is not part of the Office 2000 SR-1a Update, but is included in the new Office 2000 SR-1a Premium products. Current Office 2000 Premium or PhotoDraw Version 1 customers had the opportunity to upgrade to PhotoDraw Version 2 free of charge (plus shipping and handling charges), and this opportunity extended until May 2000 in the US. International customers should check with their local subsidiary.

What is the Office Registration Wizard?
The Registration Wizard is anti-piracy technology, designed to be simple and unobtrusive while protecting customer privacy by allowing anonymous product registration. Following a successful two-year pilot program, the Office Registration Wizard will be added to Office 2000 SR-1a for English and Canadian retail and OEM products, to help prevent illegal installations of the software. Users installing the Office 2000 SR-1a Update from the Web will not be affected by the Office Registration Wizard. Only new Office 2000 SR-1a purchasers will need to complete the Office Registration Wizard.

Will the Office Registration Wizard affect corporate deployments?
This technology is designed for retail products and will not be included in products obtained by customers with volume license agreements, because of their unique deployment processes.