Can I transfer Microsoft Office from my Macbook Pro (2008) to my new Macbook Pro (Retina Display)?

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Can I transfer Microsoft Office from my Macbook Pro (2008) to my new Macbook Pro (Retina Display)?

Hi guys,

So I recently decided to upgrade to a newer model of my Macbook. As we all know, Apple have had to remove the CD/DVD drive in order to make the new models thinner and lighter, and so now I can't install Microsoft Office 2011 from the disk that was used to install it onto my old Macbook.

I don't particluarly want to part with any money for a USB to CD/DVD drive, and so I was wondering if there was a way of simply copying or moving the old microsoft office onto my new macbook?

Thanks in advance

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014), OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Sep 11, 2014 4:26 AM

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Answer 1

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OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Sep 11, 2014 4:41 AM in response to olliedav123

Have you tried Target Disk Mode?

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10725

Ciao.

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Answer 2

olliedav123 Author

Level 1

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Sep 11, 2014 4:51 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Many thanks for the reply

Annoyingly for target disk mode to work, I would have to buy a thunderbolt to firewire adapter- which costs money as well...

Could you transfer Office onto an external hard drive then move it onto the new laptop?

Thanks

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Answer 3

MartinR

Level 6

18,923 points

Sep 11, 2014 4:56 AM in response to olliedav123

There are basically two choices; but first you must remove Office from your old Mac (be sure to do that first). This is important because you need to remove the license file and other stuff in order to be able to reuse your license on your new Mac. Then, you can do either of the following:

Get an external Superdrive and install Office on your new Mac, using the Office install DVD. I suggest this is the better alternative.
Download Office 2011 from Microsoft and install online

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Answer 4

olliedav123 Author

Level 1

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Sep 11, 2014 5:25 AM in response to olliedav123

Thanks guys- I have resorted to Remote Disc sharing between the old mac and new one... will let you know if it works

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Answer 5

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,606 points

Sep 11, 2014 5:33 AM in response to olliedav123

The other problem is that Office drops files all over your computer. It is nearly impossible to completely migrate. I've moved Office as I upgraded computers many times and always have to reinstall. Otherwise, some missing component will trip up Office.

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