Starting problems with Office 2024 and Project 2024 side by side?
If you have recently installed Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus and Microsoft Project 2024 Professional on the same PC and notice that they are cannot be opened at the same time, you are not alone. Users in forums, IT support and even in Microsoft communities report compatibility problems - in particular that when double-clicking on one app, the other crashes or does not open at all.
This blog post shows you the registry fix that Microsoft has forgotten in its official documentation. We also explain why this problem occurs, how to fix it safely and how to avoid it in the future.
Why Office 2024 and Project 2024 come into conflict
Common causes of the conflict
If both Office and Project are installed:
- You may be using the same license service (especially if you do not have a volume license).
- The click-to-run configuration overlaps in the Windows registry.
- Shared DLL files or version conflicts prevent correct coexistence.
This often leads to Office apps no longer starting after the installation of Project - or vice versa.
The registry fix that Microsoft has forgotten
Important: Create a registry backup first
Before you make any changes, Create a restore point and a Backup your registry:
- Press Win + R, enter regedit and confirm with Enter.
- In the registry editor, click on File > Export, to save a backup.
Step-by-step registry fix
- Open the registry editor (regedit).
Navigate to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\Configuration
- Find the key:
- SharedComputerLicensing (if not available, create a DWORD (32-bit)-value).
- Set the value to 1.
Then navigate to :
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\InstallRoot
- (Replace 16.0 with 24.0 if this is the version for Office 2024).
- Change or create a String value:
- Name: Path
- Value: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
- Close the registry and restart your system.
This means that Windows recognizes Office and Project as separate but compatible programs.
Download verified licenses together
Avoid installation conflicts by choosing bundled versions. You can find a verified offer here:
➡ Microsoft Office 2024 Professional Plus + Microsoft Project 2024 Professional license for 3 devices
Further troubleshooting tips
1. Use Office repair tool
- Go to Control Panel > Programs > Office 2024 > Change > Quick Repair
2. uninstall and reinstall correctly
- Uninstall both Office and Project
- First install Office and then Project
3. use different installation methods
- Use Click-to-run for the one and the MSI Installer for the other (if available)
Seamless use of Office and Project 2024
With the right registry adjustments and the correct installation sequence, you can easily resolve the conflict between Office and Project 2024. Save yourself hours of frustration and reboots by following these instructions.
For more troubleshooting tips, software comparisons and exclusive license offers, visit Winandofficews.
FAQ
Q1. Why does Microsoft Project 2024 not start after Office 2024 has been installed?
This usually occurs due to shared configuration files or license conflicts. The registry fix described above solves this problem in most cases.
Q2. Can I run different versions of Office and Project at the same time?
Yes, but it is recommended that both have the same version number. If not, make sure that they are installed using different methods (e.g. one via Click-to-Run, the other via MSI).
Q3. Is it safe to edit the registry?
Yes - if it is carried out carefully. Always create a backup before making any changes and only follow trusted sources such as Microsoft Support or How-To Geek.
