BleepingComputer.com: Excel, Word, Powerpoint

hi

How do I save a backup of Excel, Word, Powerpoint?
I probably need to reinstall windows XP on my computer because of terrible virus problems. I will loose these programs and I don't want to loose them. I lost all the CD Rom from a moving incident. Can I create a backup and reinstall them after I reinstall windows XP?

I tried to look in the help and support center but I couldn't find anything instructing how to do these things.

Thank you so much.

Edit: Moved topic from XP to the more appropriate forum. ~ Animal

I didn't want to start a new topic, since I found this one. I tried searching for where it was re-directed, but I couldn't find the solution. I am in a similar situation as the previous poster. Is there anyway I can backup my Microsoft office programs if I lost the CD's and reinstall?

No, you can't backup the installed software. You could use Magic Jelly Bean software to retrieve the product key of the installed software then, if you can find someone with the install disks, you could install the software using your key.

Remember that when you install any program, it not only installs/modifies files on your system but also adds entries to the registry.

As strolin says, you cant back it up. It has to be reinstalled

As an alternative, consider Open Office.
Its free and reads/writes Word & Excel files.

Thanks, I'll look into Open Office.