Microsoft Office, Visio, and Project Compatibility

This doc lists potential compatibility issues with Microsoft Office, Visio, and Project as they pertain to the centrally-distributed Windows software at UW-Madison.

Compatibility notes for one machine

  • You cannot mix bitness. Office, Visio, and Project must all be either 32- or 64-bit.
  • You cannot mix Office software installed with different types of installers. All must be Click to Run or all must be Windows (MSI) Installer.
    • These use only the Click to Run Installer:
      • Microsoft 365, Office 2019/2021, Visio 2019/2021, and Project 2019/2021.
      • Office 2013 and 2016 installed from the Microsoft 365 portal.
    • These use only the Windows (MSI) Installer:
      • Visio and Project versions 2013 and earlier.
      • Office 2013 and 2016 downloaded as ISOs from the Campus Software Library.
    • These use either Click to Run or Windows (MSI) installers:
      • Visio 2016 and Project 2016
  • You cannot mix different year versions (2013, 2016, 2019, etc.). Office, Visio, and Project must all be the same year version, with the exception for Microsoft 365 noted below.
    • Any Microsoft software installed with a Click to Run installer can be installed alongside Microsoft 365. That would include Visio 2019 or later, Project 2019 or later, and the Click to Run versions of Visio 2016 and Project 2016. If you have both Project and Visio installed, their versions must be the same as each other.
    • If you are running Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021, you must run the LTSC version of Visio or Project as well.

Further Office, Visio, and Project assistance



KeywordsC2R Click to Run Microsoft office visio project compatible CSL Campus Software Library select Tech Store techstore catalog installation installer MSI windows installer 365 pro plus proplus subscriptionDoc ID87819
OwnerHelp Desk KB TeamGroupDoIT Help Desk
Created2018-11-16 14:01:58Updated2024-03-15 15:07:25
SitesDoIT Help Desk, Microsoft 365
Feedback  35   22