TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --
It’s possible that the Air Force’s upgrade this month from
Microsoft Office 2010 to MS Office 2013 could surprise users with a two or
three hour upgrade process in the middle of the workday, but there’s a way to
avoid this inconvenience.
Air Force Space Command has directed all Air Force
Network-connected computer users to upgrade to Office 2013. If you don’t have
Office 2013 installed on your computer, the process will involve a pop-up
prompt to start the installation, which could happen at any time during the
duty day, said Michael Bentley, information technology specialist with the 72nd
Air Base Wing Communications Directorate.
Mr. Bentley stated the interruption can be avoided with a
little self-help.
“A user can wait for the automated installation to occur,
or start the install immediately on their own utilizing the Run Advertised
Program feature in Windows,” Mr. Bentley said. “It still takes the same amount
of time for the installation, but it can be planned at your convenience.”
To do that, network users should follow these easy steps:
- Click the Start button.
- Click on “Control Panel.”
- Click the “Run Advertised Programs” or “Run Advertised
Programs (32-bit)” icon.
- Under the “Program Name” column, scroll and click on the
program that begins with “MTO 2015-219-001 Office 2013 SP1/MS15-044” click the
“Run” button. Follow prompts as directed.
- If you do not see the “MTO 2015-219-001 … ” name in Run
Advertised Programs, you can wait for the automated install process to complete
or contact the Help Desk at 734-HELP (4357).
Mr. Bentley said the installation will begin with a
download that should take an hour or less to finish, if there are no glitches.
Users should ignore any estimated download time that is listed. Users could be
prompted several times to restart their computers and should do so each time.
To learn about MS Office 2013 and its new features, Tinker
personnel should go to the internal Tinker home page at
https://wwwmil.tinker.af.mil; hover over “PC & Network Support” at the bottom
of the main banner; and select “Tier Zero” in the dropdown menu to find an
“Office 2013 Tips & Guide.”
Over the next 30 days, Tinker computers without MS Office
2013 or an approved exemption will receive the update. If you believe you
require exemption from the MS Office 2013 deployment, please email the Tinker
Communications Focal Point at Tinker.CFP@us.af.mil for additional information.
Below are a few tips to aid in ensuring a successful install:
- Do not try to stop or interrupt the installation
once it has begun. Doing so will corrupt the install, making all MS Office
products non-functioning.
▪ Reboot (“Restart,” not shutdown) your computer at the
end of each day unless the install is running.
▪ Closing all programs before the installation begins is
recommended.
▪ During installation, if MS Office prompts for Common
Access Card Personal Identification Number (PIN), DO NOT ENTER YOUR PIN. Close
out of the prompt.
▪ You may be prompted three times to restart computer.
Restart each time.
▪ Do not open ANY Office products during
installation.
▪ “Skype for Business” replaces Lync for instant
messaging. Upon opening Skype the first time, Skype may prompt users to
“Restart now.” Select restart. This only restarts Skype.
Should you experience any difficulties resulting from this
upgrade, contact the Tinker Communications Focal Point, 734-HELP (734-4357).