64-bit Office vs. 64-bit Operating System

This question, or rather confusion, seems to be coming up quite a bit and I thought it would be good to clarify things.

1. Your computer operating system (Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7) can be either 32-bit or 64-bit. To be 64-bit the computer hardware/motherboard must support 64-bit processing. BUT you can have a 64-bit capable computer running a 32-bit operating system (OS).

2. Office 2010 is available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions. To install the 64-bit Office 2010, the computer must have a 64-bit operating system. AND the 32-bit Office 2010 can be installed on a 64-bit operating system.
– Office 2000, XP and 2007 are only available in 32-bit versions.

Basically, Office and the operating system are separate entities. Just because it is a 64-bit computer, does not mean it must use a 64-bit version of PowerPoint.

– Troy @ TLC