Mircrosoft launches Office 2010 beta download

Microsoft has launched the first beta of Office 2010, which it says millions of people will be able to download.

Microsoft's beta or trial versions of software are made available so people can report bugs and other problems to Microsoft.

The company announced the release of the public beta at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles. Jacob Jaffe, Microsoft's Information Worker Business Group leader, said the company had been planning the package before they released Office 2007.

He said changes to the beta release included a new file tab and set of visuals to make the way users work with software much more straightforward. You can also save documents directly to Windows Live Skydrive (Microsoft's online storage), from within the desktop application.

The new office applications will be available in both 32 and 64-bit formats. Office 2010 can be installed on Windows XP if service pack 3 has been applied, as well as Vista, and its new operating system, Windows 7.

As normal for the company there are various editions including Office Professional 2010 and Office Home and Business 2010 and Office 2010 Home and Student edition.

The software is expected to go on sale in the first half of next year.