Microsoft Office Click-to-Run is a new way to download and install Microsoft Office Starter 2010, Home and Student 2010, and Home and Business 2010; when you purchase these versions directly from Microsoft.
Office Click-to-Run products use a streaming technology (similar to watching a video on the web) to download and install the software to a “virtual” drive called “Q” (a section of the hard drive of your computer which is separate from the rest of your hard drive). Normally your software is installed in the “C” drive of your computer in the Program Files OR Program Files (x86) folder, however, this “Q” drive is not your typical drive – it has no space that you as a user can access directly and it cannot be access by using Windows Explorer or My Computer. In other words it is a drive or section of your hard drive that even though it exists it is not real because you cannot use it for anything other than the storage of the Office version mentioned above.
Microsoft Office Click-to-Run does not have the same functionality as a full retail version of Microsoft Office that is downloaded from the internet or installed from a CD/DVD.
If you are having problems with integrated Microsoft or QuickBooks applications that rely on Microsoft Office – check to make sure which Office version you are using – many integrated applications are not compatible with Office Click-to-Run.
Does Microsoft Office Click-to-Run have the same functionality as a “full” retail version Microsoft Office that is downloaded from the internet or installed from a CD/DVD?
Microsoft Office Click-to-Run does not have the same functionality as a full retail version of Microsoft Office that is downloaded from the internet or installed from a CD/DVD.
If I installed the Click-to-Run version can I “switch” to the “full” retail version? If so how much does it cost?
There is no additional cost involved if you switch to the “full” retail version of the Office Product that you purchased – only additional work on your part – and the Product Key is exactly the same.
You simply need to Uninstall the Click-to-Run version (through Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs OR Programs & Features), go to Microsoft, log in to your account, and download the full “retail” version. (See more complete instructions below.)
Obtaining & Installing the “full” retail version of Microsoft Office.
The license is the same. You do not need a new Product Key. If you have any questions, contact Microsoft Support via this url – http://support.microsoft.com/ContactUs/default.aspx.
- Save all work, and then close all programs.
- In Control Panel, open Programs and Features to see a list of installed programs.
- Click Microsoft Office Click-To-Run 2010, and then click Uninstall.
- To remove Microsoft Office Click-to-Run, click Yes.
- Login to your Microsoft Account at https://login.live.com/login.srf?id=270967&rver=6.0.5276.0&wreply=https%3a%2f%2fwww20.buyoffice.microsoft.com%2fusa%2fordersummary.aspx%3fCTT%3d5%26origin%3dHA101850538&ct=1282329027&rpsnv=11&wp=MBI&wa=wsignin1.0&lc=1033
- Click My account.
- Click Download, and then click Advanced options.
- Follow the instructions.
- To install the full Microsoft Office edition, run SingleImage.exe.
- When prompted, type your Product Key to continue.
To determine if you have a full retail version of the Microsoft products listed above – start Microsoft Word -> from the File menu -> choose Help and look at the information in the right pane (column), a full retail version would display Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2010 (per the screen shot below).
Right click on the image to enlarge.
Important Note: Certified Payroll Solution and Construction Application for Payment Solution are NOT Compatible with Microsoft Office Click-to-Run 2010 because it does not have the same functionality as the full retail version.
While some may think that is a “bunch of crap” because they can open a Word or Excel document without any issue; please understand that when YOU open a Word or Excel document it is far different than another program opening that same document. The Click-to-Run version doesn’t have the ability to understand that another software program wants it to open a specific Word or Excel file.
We spent many days troubleshooting with a customer who was running our Certified Payroll Program on Windows 7 with Office Click-to-Run. We ended up putting in a support request with Microsoft and a Microsoft Tech Support person logged into our customers computer; he diagnosed the problem as they had installed the Click-to-Run version. Once that was uninstalled and the “full retail” version was downloaded and installed everything was fine.
Many contractors across the United States are subject to the Davis-Bacon Act – including a growing number of small, medium, and large construction firms as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
ARRA provides billions of dollars in funding for the improvement of the nations’ infrastructure that in turn created a slew of new government-funded construction projects requiring certified payroll reporting.
According to USASpending.gov, as of November 23, 2009, there was $43.9 billion in spending targeted for the “construction of structures and facilities.”
A U.S. Federal Law, the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, set “prevailing wage” rate requirements on public works projects. All contractors and subcontractors who engage in government construction contracts and federally assisted construction projects over $2,000.00 are required to submit weekly – certified payroll reports to ensure government compliance.
What is a “prevailing wage”?
- Determined by the U.S. Department of Labor
- Based on wages for the area (including Union wages) in which the project will occur and the type of construction
- Prevailing wage rates differ based on the type of work the employee performs and their level of skill
- Can change by city, county, or job
- Prevailing wage rates include BOTH an hourly wage rate PLUS an hourly fringe benefit amount
- Can be more than what you currently pay your employees
What is the “hourly fringe benefit amount” and HOW is it paid?
- Specified dollar amount in ADDITION to a base hourly rate of pay
- Can be paid:
- To the Union on behalf of the employee
- To a “bona-fide” fringe benefit plan
- In cash to the employee as part of his/her gross hourly rate of pay
- The total hourly fringe benefit amount can be “split” between a bona-fide plan(s) with the balance paid in cash to the employee
What is a certified payroll report and what makes it “certified”?
- Specially formatted payroll report consisting of the actual payroll report and a certification page
- Must be submitted on a weekly basis
- “Certification” is obtained via an ORIGINAL SIGNATURE of a company official
Is there a single, standard certified payroll-reporting format or form?
Not really – it will depend upon the state in which the construction project exists and if the project is funded with Federal or State money.
- 24 states follow the reporting rules of the U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division and require the filing of the Federal (USDOL) Form WH-347.
- 13 States have their own State Prevailing Wage Laws and forms OR can require the WH-347 form when a job is funded fully by federal dollars.
- 13 states have multiple State Agencies issuing Prevailing Wage Laws and forms, multiple compliance companies, electronic certified payroll reporting requirements OR can require the WH-347 form when a job is funded fully by federal dollars.
In addition to a weekly-certified payroll report, are their other reports that are required?
Absolutely! It is a common misconception that all you have to do is submit a certified payroll report for each week that you work. Additional reports include:
- “No Work” Performed Report for weeks in which you have no employees on the job site.
- Union/Bona-fide Plan Fringe Benefit Reports – on a monthly basis.
- Union Dues Reports – on a monthly basis.
- Federal, State, or Local EEOC/Workforce/Manning Reports – on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis (depending upon the State that the project resides in).
- American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Reports – on a monthly basis.
How are contractors who use QuickBooks complying with prevailing wage reporting requirements?
- Complex Excel spreadsheets which are manually updated each week
- Use of the “alternate, substitute” certified payroll report (found in QuickBooks Enhanced Payroll and used with Premier or Enterprise Editions)
- Stand-alone software programs which have no QuickBooks interface and require double-data entry each week
- Through the use of QuickBooks integrated applications, specifically designed for compliance with prevailing wage requirements.
