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How to Fix Microsoft Project 2013 and Microsoft 365 Installation Conflict
Question details
The user is unable to install Microsoft Project Standard 2013 alongside a 64-bit installation of Microsoft 365 on the same computer.
- Product
- Microsoft Project 2013 and Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to install Microsoft Project 2013 on a system that already has Microsoft 365 (or vice versa), which results in an installation error.
- Observed behavior
- The installation fails or forces the removal of the other product because Project 2013 uses Office version 15.0 while Microsoft 365 uses version 16.0, leading to major version and installation technology incompatibilities.
Verify your current Microsoft 365 installation architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) by opening Word, navigating to File > Account > About Word, and checking the system requirements for your specific version of Project.
Upgrade to a Compatible Version of Microsoft Project
The most reliable solution is to upgrade from Project 2013 to a newer version like Project 2016 or Project 2019 that uses a compatible Click-to-Run installation technology.
Microsoft 365 uses Click-to-Run technology (Office version 16.0), while Project 2013 typically uses MSI installer technology (Office version 15.0). Microsoft strictly limits the coexistence of different Office versions and installation technologies on the same operating system.
By upgrading your standalone Project software to a newer Click-to-Run version matching the 16.0 architecture, you can bypass this conflict entirely.
Open the Windows Control Panel, go to 'Programs and Features', locate Microsoft Project 2013, right-click it, and select 'Uninstall'.
Purchase or obtain a license for Microsoft Project 2016, Project 2019, or a Project Plan subscription that matches the version 16.0 architecture.
Log into your Microsoft account, navigate to your Subscriptions or Services page, download the 64-bit installer for your new Project version, and run the setup.
Use a Virtual Machine for Project 2013
If you must retain your legacy Project 2013 license, you can isolate it from Microsoft 365 by installing it within a Virtual Machine.
Request Legacy Coexistence Support from Microsoft
If both products previously coexisted on your machine before an update caused them to conflict, you can contact Microsoft Support to investigate your specific configuration.
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- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the Free Download button.
- 2. Run the Setup: Open the downloaded executable file and follow the quick, one-click installation process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Office versions 15.0 and 16.0 conflict?
Office version 15.0 (2013 products) and version 16.0 (2016, 2019, and Microsoft 365 products) often use different installation technologies, namely Windows Installer (MSI) and Click-to-Run. Microsoft prevents installing these conflicting technologies on the same computer to avoid shared component errors and registry corruption.
Can I install 32-bit and 64-bit Office products on the same computer?
No. Microsoft explicitly prohibits mixing 32-bit and 64-bit Office products on the same operating system. If your Microsoft 365 is 64-bit, any standalone Office application like Visio or Project must also be 64-bit.
Does Project 2016 work alongside Microsoft 365?
Generally, yes. If both Microsoft 365 and Project 2016 are installed using Click-to-Run technology and share the same bit architecture (e.g., both 64-bit), they are designed to coexist smoothly on the same machine.
How can I check if my Microsoft 365 uses Click-to-Run?
Open any Office application such as Word or Excel, click on 'File', and select 'Account'. Under 'Product Information', it will explicitly state if the product is Click-to-Run and whether it is managed by your organization.
