Keeping Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) up to date isn’t just about snagging the latest features; it’s also about security and smoother performance. Sometimes, though, the auto-update system gets wonky or stops working after Windows updates or system tweaks, leaving you stuck on an outdated version. That’s when knowing how to manually kickstart updates becomes a lifesaver. Setting things up right can mean the difference between using a clunky app and having the newest tools at your fingertips. Here’s a rundown of some solid methods to get Microsoft 365 running the latest and greatest on Windows 10 or 11, whether auto-updates decide to ghost you or you just want to double-check everything’s current.
How to Fix Microsoft 365 Not Updating Properly
✅ Enable Automatic Updates for Microsoft 365
This is the most straightforward way—if it’s enabled, Office checks for updates on its own and handles downloads silently in the background. You’d be surprised how often this gets turned off, either by someone toggling settings or after a Windows update. Usually, it’s a quick fix, but on some setups, it’s weirdly disabled by default or gets reset after major updates. Turning it back on helps ensure you’re always on the latest build without actively meddling.
Steps to Enable Auto-Updates:
- Open any Office app such as Word or Excel.
- Click File in the top-left corner.
- Navigate to Account (or sometimes labeled as Office Account).
- In the Product Information section, look for Office Updates.
- If it says “This product will not be updated, ” click the Update Options dropdown.
- Select Enable Updates. On some systems, this might be labeled as “Turn On Updates” or simply toggled from a disabled state.
That’s usually enough to get Office updating in the background. Once enabled, it’ll download patches and new features without too much fuss. On some setups, the first time might fail, but usually, after a quick restart of the app or the PC, it kicks in right.
✅ Update Microsoft 365 via Windows Update
Windows Update isn’t just for your OS—it can grab Office updates when Office was installed through the official Microsoft download. If you installed Office from the Office website or as part of Windows itself, this method is solid. But if Office was installed via the Microsoft Store, then you’ll want to skip here and jump to the Store method.
Steps to Check for Windows-based Office Updates:
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.
- Click on Advanced options.
- Make sure Receive updates for other Microsoft products is toggled on. This setting is often overlooked but crucial for Office updates to come through.
- Press Check for updates and let Windows fetch all pending patches. Sometimes, Office updates appear as optional or get bundled with other updates, so it might take a moment.
Sometimes, this process is sluggish or doesn’t show the latest Office updates immediately. If that happens, opening an Office app and manually checking for updates (see below) is worth a shot. In my experience, on some machines, it helps to reboot after Windows Update has run, then re-try.
✅ Use Microsoft Store to Update Office Apps
If your Microsoft 365 subscription was installed via the Microsoft Store, then updates roll out through the store’s update system. This is particularly common on Windows 11 setups or if you bought a personal subscription from the Store rather than directly from Microsoft.
How to Update Office from Microsoft Store:
- Close all Office applications to prevent conflicts.
- Open the Microsoft Store.
- Click on the Library icon (bottom-left on Windows 11, or via the menu on Windows 10).
- Press Get Updates. It’ll scan for outdated apps, including Office.
- If updates are available, Update All or click Update next to individual apps like Word or Excel.
This method is handy because it keeps not just Office but all your Store apps current. Sometimes, the Store method feels more reliable, especially if Windows updates aren’t syncing with Office patches correctly.
✅ Update Microsoft 365 Apps Individually (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Occasionally, a specific app gets a new feature or patch, but the overall Office suite isn’t updated. In that case, updating apps directly inside each program is a good workaround. It also helps if only one app is acting weird or missing features.
Example: Update Microsoft Excel
- Launch Microsoft Excel.
- Go to File > Account (or Office Account).
- Click Update Options > Update Now. Sometimes you see “Update Options” as a dropdown or a button.
This trick works similarly across other Office apps like Word, PowerPoint, Outlook. Just repeat for each one to keep everything in sync. Not sure why, but sometimes only one app updates without the others, which can be annoying but fixable this way.
Also, keeping Office apps current means better security, especially with recent concerns about phishing or malware. Plus, new features like the Microsoft Copilot AI and Live Data Charts are only available with the latest builds. If you’re missing those, an update often fixes the issue.
🧠 Wrap-up
Honestly, just knowing these methods can save a lot of headaches. Sometimes, auto-updates fail because of network issues, user settings, or weird Windows glitches—so having manual options is key. Always double-check your update settings if things feel off, and try multiple approaches if one doesn’t work.
Summary
- Make sure auto-update is enabled inside Office apps.
- Use Windows Update to grab Office patches if your install is from Microsoft directly.
- Check the Microsoft Store for updates, especially if Office was installed via the Store.
- Update individual Office programs if only certain apps are behind.
Fingers crossed this helps
Getting your Office apps updated isn’t always smooth sailing, but these methods are the most reliable based on real-world use. Just remember, sometimes the system needs a little nudge or a restart. Hope this shaves off a few hours for someone.