How to Check Office Updates

If you have Microsoft Office installed on your computer, it's important to keep your software updated as frequently as Microsoft releases updates. This helps keep your program running smoothly. Some updates contain fixes to common errors associated with the software. If you want to automatically check for Office updates, you'll need an Internet connection and the Microsoft Update service.

• 1

  Close all Office programs. Navigate to the official Microsoft Update website hosted by Microsoft. You must open this website using the Internet Explorer browser only. This websites allows you to set up automatic updates for Office and other Microsoft products. Click "Start Now" to begin the process.

• 2

  Click "Continue" after reading through the license agreement to download the update software to your computer. You may need to install an ActiveX control to your computer to complete the download.

• 3

  Check the bottom right task-bar on your computer screen for the "Updates" icon. When you hover over the icon it displays a message that "Updates are ready for your computer." You can also find the "Microsoft Update" option on your Start menu.

• 4

  Click the "Updates" icon to open the "Automatic Updates" dialog box. Choose "Custom Install" and click "Next."

• 5

  Review the list of available updates to check if any of them apply to your version of Microsoft Office. If so, select those items and click "Install" to update the programs.