How To Stop Office For Mac From Updating

Article ID = 11
Article Title = Keeping Microsoft Software Products Up-To-Date
Article Author(s) = Graham Needham (BH)
Article Created On = 15th June 2011
Article Last Updated = 14th December 2018
Article URL = https://www.macstrategy.com/article.php?11
Article Brief Description:
A guide to keeping your Microsoft software products up-to-date

The Microsoft Office suite contains a range of office applications, such as a word processor, spreadsheet software and presentation program, all of which are. Question: Q: How to stop icloud download (sync) on Mac OS Sierra I have a huge download in progress from an icloud folder. Clicking on the 'i' for info, pop-up the progress bar.

Primary Microsoft Software List (for Mac users):

Skype

NOTE: As of 6th July 2017 Skype requires OS X 10.9 Mavericks or later.

• Check for an update now: Open Skype and select 'Check for Updates…' from the 'Skype' menu.
• Turn on Automatic Updates: Open Skype and select 'Preferences' from the 'Skype' menu > TICK 'Always keep Skype up to date'.
• Download updates manually from the Microsoft Skype web site.

Office 2016/2019/365

For more useful information about Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac please see our article about the software suite.
For more useful information about Microsoft Office 2016 for Mac please see our article about the software suite.
NOTE: Microsoft Office 2016 becomes end of life on 13/10/2020.

• Check for an update now: Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook and select 'Check for Updates' from the 'Help' menu. When the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens click the 'Check for Updates' button.
• Turn on Automatic Updates: Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook and select 'Check for Updates' from the 'Help' menu. When the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens make sure 'Automatically' is set with your preferred recurrence timeframe.
NOTE: As of November 2016 (Update 15.28.0 + AutoUpdate 3.8.1 or later) updates can be set to install automatically (without the need for an administrator password).
NOTE: Microsoft AutoUpdate application does not check for updates to Remote Desktop Connection, Windows Media Components for QuickTime or the Silverlight web browser plug-in.
• Download updates manually from the Microsoft Update history for Office for Mac web site.

Installing Office Updates Manually

1. Office 2019 (365) 16.37.0 - indvidual 'update packages' are available from the Microsoft web site - these will update any earlier version of 2019/365 to 16.37.0
2. Office 2016 (Perpetual) 16.16.20050901 - indvidual 'update packages' are available from the Microsoft web site - these will update any earlier version of 2016 Perpetual Licence to 16.16.20050901

Skype for Business

SharePoint On-Premises Safari Browser Plugin for Office 2016 for Mac

Lync for Mac 2011

• Download updates manually from the Microsoft web site.

Office 2011

Office 2011 is no longer supported as of 10th October 2017 and no new security updates will be issued - do not use this software or use it with extreme caution!If you are going to continue using Office 2011 do not open Office documents from untrusted sources especially as email attachments or downloads from the internet – this includes but is not limited to the following document types:

• Word (.doc / .docx / .dot / .dotx / .docm / .dotm)
• Excel (.xls / .xlsx / .xltx / .xlsm / .xltm / .xlsb / .xlam / .xll)
• PowerPoint (.ppt / .pptx / .pptm / .potx / .potm / .ppam / .ppsx / .ppsm / .sldx / .sldm)

• Check for an update now: Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook and select 'Check for Updates' from the 'Help' menu. When the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens click the 'Check for Updates' button.
• Turn on Automatic Updates: Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Outlook and select 'Check for Updates' from the 'Help' menu. When the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens make sure 'Automatically' is set with your preferred recurrence timeframe.
• Check for an update now: Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Entourage and select 'Check for Updates' from the 'Help' menu. When the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens click the 'Check for Updates' button.
NOTE: Microsoft AutoUpdate application does not check for updates to Remote Desktop Connection, Windows Media Components for QuickTime or the Silverlight web browser plug-in.
NOTE: Depending on which version of Office 2011 you currently have you must install manual updates in the correct order:
1. Office 2011 14.1.0 aka Service Pack 1 (this will update version 14.0.9 or any earlier version to 14.1.0)
2. Office 2011 14.7.7 update aka Service Pack 2+3 (this will update 14.1.0 or later to 14.7.7)

Office 2008 including Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition

Office 2008 is no longer supported as of 9th April 2013 and no new security updates will be issued - do not use this software or use it with extreme caution!If you are going to continue using Office 2008 do not open Office documents from untrusted sources especially as email attachments or downloads from the internet – this includes but is not limited to the following document types:

• Word (.doc / .docx / .dot / .dotx / .docm / .dotm)
• Excel (.xls / .xlsx / .xltx / .xlsm / .xltm / .xlsb / .xlam / .xll)
• PowerPoint (.ppt / .pptx / .pptm / .potx / .potm / .ppam / .ppsx / .ppsm / .sldx / .sldm)

• Check for an update now: Open Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Entourage and select 'Check for Updates' from the 'Help' menu. When the Microsoft AutoUpdate window opens click the 'Check for Updates' button.
NOTE: Although Office 2008 may install them the Microsoft AutoUpdate application does not check for updates to MSN/Microsoft Messenger, Remote Desktop Connection, Windows Media Components for QuickTime or the Silverlight web browser plug-in.
NOTE: Depending on which version of Office 2008 you currently have you must install manual updates in the correct order:
1. Office 2008 12.1.0 aka Service Pack 1 (this will update version 12.0.9 or any earlier version to 12.1.0)
2. Office 2008 12.2.0 aka Service Pack 2 (this will update any version 12.1.0-12.1.9 to 12.2.0)
3. Office 2008 12.3.6 (this will update any version 12.2.0 or later to 12.3.6)

NOTE: If you have already installed Entourage 2008 Web Services Edition the latest Office 2008 updater will automatically update the Web Services Edition.

Office 2004

Office 2004 is no longer supported and no new security updates will be issued - do not use this software or use it with extreme caution!If you are going to continue using Office 2008 do not open Office documents from untrusted sources especially as email attachments or downloads from the internet – this includes but is not limited to the following document types:

• Word (.doc / .docx / .dot / .dotx / .docm / .dotm)
• Excel (.xls / .xlsx / .xltx / .xlsm / .xltm / .xlsb / .xlam / .xll)
• PowerPoint (.ppt / .pptx / .pptm / .potx / .potm / .ppam / .ppsx / .ppsm / .sldx / .sldm)

• Check for an update now: Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Microsoft AutoUpdate and click the 'Check for Updates' button.
NOTE: Although Office 2004 may install them the Microsoft AutoUpdate application does not check for updates to MSN/Microsoft Messenger or Remote Desktop Connection.
NOTE: Depending on which version of Office 2004 you currently have you must install manual updates in the correct order:
1. Office 2004 11.6.0 (this will update version 11.5.9 or any earlier version to 11.6.0
2. Office 2004 11.6.1
3. Office 2004 11.6.2
4. Office 2004 11.6.3
5. Office 2004 11.6.4
6. Office 2004 11.6.5
7. Office 2004 11.6.6

Office 2004 XML Converters

Office 2004 XML Converters are no longer supported and no new security updates will be issued - do not use this software or use it with extreme caution!

• There is no automated update facility for the Office 2004 XML Converters.
• Download the last XML converter version (1.2.1) manually from the Microsoft Mac web site.

Silverlight (web browser plug-in)

Silverlight 2.x or later is no longer supported on Apple PowerPC computers. If you still use a PowerPC computer for browsing the internet you are now strongly recommended to remove Silverlight completely.

• There is no automated update facility for Silverlight 3.x for Mac or earlier but you can check if you are running an outdated version by going to either Mozilla Plug-in Checker or the Microsoft Silverlight web site.
• If you are running Silverlight 4.x for Mac or later you can go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Microsoft Silverlight (this is actually an alias to the Silverlight Preferences utility found in Macintosh HD > Library > Internet Plug-Ins >right/control click on Silverlight/plugin > select 'Show Package Contents' > Contents > Resources). On the 'Updates' tab set the 'Check for updates but let me choose whether to download or install them' option.
• Download updates manually from the Microsoft Silverlight web site.

Windows Media Components for QuickTime (Flip4Mac) Version 3

As of 01/05/2014 Flip4Mac Windows Media Components for QuickTime are no longer free - if you are not going to pay for the upgrade it is recommended that you remove the plug-in/software.
Flip4Mac version 3 or later is no longer supported on Apple PowerPC computers or any Mac with Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier. If you still use a PowerPC computer/Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier it is recommended that you remove the plug-in/software.

• Check for an update now: Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Flip4Mac > Update tab > click the 'Check Now' button.
• Turn on Automatic Updates: Go to Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Flip4Mac > Update tab and set the 'Check For Updates' pop-up menu to Daily, Weekly or Monthly.
• Download updates manually from the Microsoft Windows Media Components for QuickTime web page.

How To Remove The Flip4Mac Software

Go to Macintosh HD > Applications > Flip4Mac folder and run the 'Flip4Mac Uninstaller.pkg'
To manually remove the Flip4Mac software delete the following files and folders:

• Macintosh HD > Library > Internet Plug-Ins > delete 'Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.plugin' (computer admin password may be required)
• Also check Macintosh HD > Users > ~user's home folder~ > Library > Internet Plug-Ins > for the 'Flip4Mac WMV Plugin.plugin' file in each user account
• Macintosh HD > Library > PreferencePanes > delete 'Flip4Mac WMV.prefPane' (computer admin password may be required)
• Also check Macintosh HD > Users > ~user's home folder~ > Library > PreferencePanes > for the 'Flip4Mac WMV.prefPane' file in each user account
• Macintosh HD > Applications > delete 'Flip Player' (computer admin password may be required)
• Macintosh HD > Applications > delete 'Flip4Mac' folder (computer admin password may be required)
• Macintosh HD > Users > ~your home folder~ > Library > Preferences > delete all files beginning with 'net.telestream.'

Remote Desktop Connection

Remote Desktop Connection is no longer supported on Mac OS X 10.6 or earlier - do not use this software on these operating systems or use it with extreme caution!

• Microsoft Remote Desktop is now distributed and updated for FREE via the online App Store.
• Download Remote Desktop 8.x for macOS / OS X.
• Download Remote Desktop 8.x for iOS.

Microsoft Messenger

Messenger was discontinued on 15/03/2013 and all services have been moved to Skype - if you wish to continue using Messenger services install and setup Skype instead.
As of 08/04/2013 Messenger v8 is no longer supported and all services have been moved to Skype - if you wish to continue using Messenger services install and setup Skype instead.
As of July 2014 all prior versions to Skype 6.15 no longer work and are not supported. Skype 6.15 or later requires OS X 10.9 Mavericks or later.

Windows Media Components for QuickTime (Flip4Mac) Version 2 or earlier

v2 and earlier are no longer supported and no new security updates will be issued - do not use this software - it is recommended to remove the software (see below).

Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer for Mac is no longer supported and no new security updates will be issued - do not use this software or use it with extreme caution!

For those Mac users who are using Windows in a virtualised environment

Virtualisation software:

• Parallels Desktop - buy it now at
• VMWare Fusion

Windows operating system

• Check for an update now: Go to Start menu > Windows Update.
• Turn on Automatic Updates.
• We don't recommend downloading updates manually from Microsoft - use the automated features listed above.

Internet Explorer

• Check for an update now: (in Internet Explorer) go to Tools menu > Windows Update.
• Turn on Automatic Updates.
• Download updates manually from the Microsoft Internet Explorer web site.

Article Keywords: Microsoft Office Mac Macintosh 2001 v.X vX 2004 2008 2011 2016 365 software update updates security Word Excel PowerPoint Entourage Outlook Communicator Messenger Silverlight Remote Desktop Connection uptodate up-to-date up to date

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