Microsoft released a total of three service packs for Office 2003 throughout its lifecycle. It is officially unsupported on Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, or later versions of Windows. Minimum required operating systems for Office 2003 are Windows 2000 SP3 or later, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Office 2003 is incompatible with Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, Windows ME and earlier versions of Windows. Office 2003 is the last version of Office to include the traditional menu bar and toolbar interface across all programs, and also the last version to include the ' 97 - 2003' file format as the default file format.

The Office logo was also updated, eliminating the puzzle motif in use since Office 95. Office 2003 is also the first version with support for Windows XP colors and visual styles, and introduces updated icons. As a result, Microsoft appended the 'Office' branding to the names of all programs. With the release of Office 2003, Microsoft rebranded the Office productivity suite as an integrated system dedicated to information workers. It also introduces the Picture Manager graphics software to open, manage, and share digital images. Office 2003 introduces two new programs to the Office product lineup: InfoPath, a program for designing, filling, and submitting electronic structured data forms and OneNote, a note-taking program for creating and organizing diagrams, graphics, handwritten notes, recorded audio, and text. New features in Office 2003 include information rights management new collaboration features improved support for SharePoint, smart tags, and XML and extended use of Office Online services. Trialware and software as a service (Microsoft Software Assurance)

Office 2003 service pack 2