'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Install Office Home and Student 2010 Without a DVD Drive
Question details
The user needs to install Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010 on a new laptop or computer that does not have an internal CD/DVD drive.
- Product
- Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Installing legacy software from a physical disc onto a modern computer lacking an optical drive.
- Observed behavior
- The user is unable to insert the installation disc directly into the target computer and cannot download the installer from Microsoft because official downloads for unsupported Office versions have been removed.
Before beginning the installation, check your new computer's application list and uninstall any pre-installed Microsoft 365 Family trials, as they will conflict with the Office 2010 installer.
Copy Installation Files to a USB Drive
Use another computer with a working DVD drive to transfer the original installation files to a portable USB drive.
Since official download links for Office 2010 are no longer available, copying your existing disc contents to a USB flash drive is the safest and most reliable method.
Insert your original Office Home and Student 2010 installation disc into a second computer that has a working DVD drive.
Open File Explorer, navigate to the DVD drive, select all the files and folders inside, and copy them to a USB flash drive.
Eject the USB drive and plug it into your new computer that lacks a DVD drive.
Open the USB drive folder in File Explorer and double-click the 'setup.exe' file to begin the Office 2010 installation. Enter your 25-character product key when prompted.
Use an External USB DVD Drive
Connect a portable external optical drive to your computer to read the installation disc directly.
Upgrade to WPS Office for a Modern, Disc-Free Experience
Microsoft Office 2010 reached its end of support in 2020 and no longer receives security updates. Instead of struggling with outdated software, missing DVD drives, and missing download links, switch to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free suite that you can download instantly without any physical media.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click 'Free Download' to get the latest lightweight installer.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded file and follow the on-screen prompts to set up the software in minutes.
- 3. Open your files: Double-click any of your existing Office documents to view and edit them in WPS Office without any format conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just download the Office 2010 installer from the Microsoft website?
No. Because Microsoft Office 2010 has reached its end of support, Microsoft has removed all official download links for the software. You must use your original installation media.
Will my Office 2010 product key work to activate Microsoft 365 or Office 2021?
No, product keys are version-specific. An Office Home and Student 2010 product key will only activate Office 2010 and cannot be used for newer versions like Office 2021 or Microsoft 365.
Why does the Office 2010 installation fail or show an error on my new Windows 10/11 laptop?
Many new computers come with a pre-installed trial of Microsoft 365 Family. This newer version often conflicts with the older Office 2010 installer. You should navigate to 'Add or remove programs' in your system settings and uninstall the Microsoft 365 trial before installing Office 2010.
Is it safe to continue using Office 2010?
Office 2010 reached its official end of life on October 13, 2020. This means it no longer receives technical support, bug fixes, or critical security updates from Microsoft. Continuing to use it may leave your system vulnerable to security risks.
