Error 0x80096004 appears due to errors with the certificate when you’re trying to update Office 2003, especially for users of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, as Office 2003 is fairly old and not completely compatible with them, as this situation proves. This error also appeared in other situations and with other updates, and the root cause is the same for all.
You might get this with both a fresh install of Office 2003 or with an older install, when you’re trying to download an update for it, for example, KB907417, as well as a few other updates that have this issue. Things that might happen are the updates failing, and Office apps might also freeze during usage. You won’t be able to use them, nor update them, until you solve this issue.
Fortunately, the solution for this is as easy as downloading the update manually, so read on for the steps on how to do that.
Note that it might happen that you need the installation CD for Office, so it would be nice if you had it with you when you’re trying this.
- Click (here) and download the KB907417 Update.
- Go to your Downloads folder, and double-click the executable file that installs the update. Follow the wizard until the update is installed.
- You might get an error that the installer is missing a file during the installation. This is most likely one of the files that are there while you’re installing Office, and then get removed when the setup is done. To solve this, you can insert the installation CD. The installer will continue, and finish installing the update.
The aforementioned steps will solve the issue, and download the update you’d otherwise be struggling with. Follow them carefully, and you will have Office 2003 up and running in no time.
