Finally Microsoft Office 2010 Beta is here, officially for the public. You can now download and test Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta for free. The great thing about this is that you can use the beta free-of-charge for nearly a year till 31 October 2010.

So, I guess most of you are very eager to try out the new beta. By default, installing Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta will upgrade (uninstall) your existing Office. So if you still want to keep a copy of your current Office, e.g. Office 2007 and at the same time run Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta side-by-side, this guide is for you.

Download It

If you have not downloaded the installer. Go to the official Office 2010 website and grab yourself a copy. You need to register to download and get your unique Multiple Activation Key (MAK), used later for activation.

The MAK key used for activating Microsoft Office Beta

There are two version available, 32-bit and 64-bit. Pick your version and download the installer. If you are unsure which version, download the 32-bit version.

Install It

To run Microsoft Office 2007 and Microsoft Office 2010 Beta side-by-side, you need to pay attention to this part. Basically it pretty straight forward. When you first run the installer you will be greeted by this window.

To run the current and beta version side-by-side, click "Customize"

Note:

Outlook 2010 cannot coexist with earlier versions of Outlook. If there is a conflict between what you choose on the Upgrade tab and what you choose on the Installation Options tab, Outlook 2010 is installed. For example, if you choose on the Installation Options tab to install Outlook 2010, and you change the default setting on the Upgrade tab to keep your earlier version of Outlook, your choice on the Upgrade tab is ignored and your earlier version of Outlook is removed and Outlook 2010 is installed.

Make sure you click the Customize button because by default the Upgrade button is selected. On the Upgrade tab (next window), make sure you select “Keep all previous versions”.

Make sure to select “Keep all previous versions”

Good to go. The installation might take some time to complete.

Sit back and relax while installation takes place

Good to go!

All done. You should now able to see both Office 2007 shortcuts and Office 2010 Beta shortcuts in your Start Menu.

Start Menu shortcuts, both Office 2007 and 2010 Beta

Microsoft Word 2007 & Word 2010 Beta side-by-side

Activate It

In order to continue using Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta, you need to activate it with your MAK key within 30 days of installation. After activation, you can use for nearly one year, till 31 October next year.

Activate your Office 2010 Beta within 30 days

You can follow the instructions give at on your Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta download page (the page with your MAK key).

BTW, you might interested to try out Microsoft Office 2010 Web Apps as well.