does office 97 pro still work with win11?

I have to keep in mind the 2-way highway with documents, those I create to share with others that may not have a compatible program and the others that send me documents that I may not have a program for. To accomplish the need I have WordPerfect for Windows [since my first computer Win3.1] Lotus SmartSuite, Microsoft Office and LibreOffice. The only program I've no use for is Microsoft 365 and Office 365.

spapakons said:

The interface of Libre Office has many differences with that of Microsoft Office, enough to scare away novices.

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But I did not write I ever used Libre Office (LO).
And I am sure that most users of any edition of MS Office don't care if other people can read their documents on a LO app.

And users that do use LO will have their ways to make documents look like they did on Office versions they used before.
Not everybody has the money to spend for a rather expensive MS Office program.

I had no problems at all using my existing douments and spreadsheets in the alternative Office app I am using now.
No differences in layout of documents, could use almost every existing xlsx file, no problems with images or their colors.

So I did care about compatibility, for I did a lot of testing before I decided to go and use the alternative app.

Regarding running ANY piece of software that old...Would I run 28 year old software in modern windows? No I would not. But, whatever floats anyone's boat I say go for it. If it works for you, that's great. But if and when it doesn't work, it's my belief there is no room for complaint, most especially if one has used and benefited from that software for 28 years. Things do not last forever and at some point should be allowed a graceful death.

I guarantee folks using old software will have a rude awakening once MS no longer allows any 32 bit apps to run in Windows, and it's a'coming.

glasskuter said:

I guarantee folks using old software will have a rude awakening once MS no longer allows any 32 bit apps to run in Windows, and it's a'coming.

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I tend not to believe that. First wait and see.

In that case many, very many apps won't function anymore.
There are many apps that function over the 32 bit.
Just a small list of some of the apps in my Program Files (x86), that I installed rather recently or were renewed by the manufacturer of that app:
- Creative Labs (Sound Blaster) configuration
- EM-Client (latest version)
- Faststone Image Viewer (latest version)
- F-Secure (latest version)
- Edge (situated in the Microsoft folder)
and many, many more.

What would happen to the companies that developed their own applications, often based on an experience of decades of software development? Would they all become worthless at once? No better way to direct customers to other operating systems...

But I agree with you that using very old apps not updated in the meantime has its risks.
Especially old MS Office software. Unless you would only use the app for own purposes, never import any strange documents from the Internet (like I do).

glasskuter said:

I guarantee folks using old software will have a rude awakening once MS no longer allows any 32 bit apps to run in Windows, and it's a'coming.

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You got a link for that? If this is real, i would have huge list off apps/tools that needs replacement... (At least over a 100or so...)

Tester said:

You got a link for that? If this is real, i would have huge list off apps/tools that needs replacement... (At least over a 100or so...)

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That's why they won't do it, at least for Windows 11. If sometime in the future they release Windows 12, they might do it, much like they didn't make a 32-but version of Windows 11 and let all 32-bit users with Windows 10.

One thing I tell clients, especially when they complain about "planned obsolescence" with their printers, is that when Microsoft drops support of old versions the manufacturers may not get backup support from Microsoft so when their product/s are no longer made or sold there's no money coming in to pay the programmers to keep old products running.

Berton said:

I have to keep in mind the 2-way highway with documents, those I create to share with others that may not have a compatible program and the others that send me documents that I may not have a program for. To accomplish the need I have WordPerfect for Windows [since my first computer Win3.1] Lotus SmartSuite, Microsoft Office and LibreOffice. The only program I've no use for is Microsoft 365 and Office 365.

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I had WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS to be able to open and share many types of then document formats. I remember having to load with a specific code page for Greek. If we forgot that, all Greek text was illegible symbols (aka "Chinese", as we say in Greek). Later I bought WordPerfect for Windows to use with Windows 95. Microsoft Office wasn't too well known back then. My first office was Office 97. Then I have used most versions of office to familiarize with the changes in the interface so I can assist my friends. Needless to say I have used Windows 3.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11. Also MS-DOS 3.3 to 6.1

spapakons said:

Needless to say I have used Windows 3.0, 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11. Also MS-DOS 3.3 to 6.1

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The only versions of Windows I never had a computer for was Vista and ME although I did have to work on them. I owned 3.1, 3.11, WFW, 95, 98, 98SE, XP, 7 [still have], 8, 8.1, 10 and 11. On the business side had NT 3.51, 4.0 and 2000. Lots of changes in over 30 years but also lots of the same but just different looks.

That's why I try to familiarize with each new version, I try to discover first any bugs and issues and how to fix them, so I can help my customers and friends. For new versions I dual boot with the current version or test it on a virtual machine before deciding to upgrade to it. The same goes for Office and other applications. I first test them on another computer and then adopt.