Enable Automatic Office Updates in Windows 11/10

Microsoft Office apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook receive updates that improve security, fix bugs, and introduce new features. Keeping these apps updated helps protect your files and makes sure you’re using the latest features available for your version of Office.

However, Office updates don’t always install automatically. The automatic update option may be turned off, your organization may manage updates, or your Office installation may use a different update method.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to turn on automatic Microsoft Office updates in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Enable Automatic MS Office Updates in Windows

To enable automatic Microsoft Office updates, open Word or Excel, select File > Account, and look under Office Updates. Choose Update Options > Enable Updates.

If the option is already enabled, select Check for Updates to install any available updates.

The exact options can vary depending on whether you’re using Microsoft 365, a supported one-time-purchase version of Office, a Microsoft Store installation, or an installation managed by your workplace or school.

1: Open a Microsoft Office Application

First, open an Office application such as Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. You don’t need to open a document to change the update settings.

Click the Start button and type Word in the search box. Select Microsoft Word from the results. If Word isn’t installed, open Excel or another Office application available on your computer.

Once the application opens, wait for the main screen to load. You can remain on the blank document screen or open an existing file.

If you’re using Office through a web browser, such as Word for the web, you won’t see the same desktop update controls. These steps apply to the installed desktop applications.

2: Open the Office Account Settings

In Word, click File in the upper-left corner. This opens the Backstage view, where you’ll find options for opening documents, saving files, printing, and managing your account.

Look for Account in the left-hand menu. In some Office versions, this option may be labeled Office Account.

Click it to open the account and product information page.

Here, you may see your Microsoft account details, the name of your Office product, activation information, and update settings. For example, your installation might show Microsoft 365 or Office 2021.

If you don’t see an Account option, check whether you’re using an older Office version or a simplified application interface. The available settings depend on the product you’re running.

3: Select Update Options

On the Account page, locate the Office Updates section. You should see an Update Options button if your installation supports the standard Office update controls.

Click Update Options to open the dropdown menu.

Depending on your Office version and configuration, you may see options such as Update Now, Disable Updates, Enable Updates, and View Updates.

If the menu contains Enable Updates, automatic updates are currently disabled or restricted in a way that allows you to enable them from this menu.

If you see Disable Updates instead, automatic updates are generally already enabled. You don’t need to change anything.

4: Enable Automatic Office Updates

If Enable Updates appears in the Update Options menu, click it.

Office may apply the change immediately without asking you to restart the application. In some cases, you may see a brief confirmation or a User Account Control prompt, depending on your installation and permissions.

Once automatic updates are enabled, Office can check for and install available updates according to its update schedule and configuration. Updates might not install immediately, so don’t worry if nothing happens right after you click the option.

If you use a work or school computer, your administrator may control this setting. If Enable Updates is unavailable or the option is missing, you may need to contact your IT department.

After enabling updates, continue to the next step to check whether any updates are available right now.

5: Check for Office Updates Manually

After enabling automatic updates, it’s a good idea to check for updates manually. This lets you install available updates without waiting for the next automatic update check.

Open Word or Excel and navigate to File > Account > Update Options. Select Update Now.

Office will check Microsoft’s update servers for available updates. If updates are available, it will download and install them. Depending on your internet connection and the size of the update, this process may take a few minutes.

You might see a message saying that you’re up to date. That means Office didn’t find any applicable updates at that time.

If Office asks you to close an application, save your work first. Close the requested Office apps and allow the update process to finish.

Once the installation is complete, reopen Office and check the Account page to confirm that the update process finished successfully.

6: Verify Your Office Update Settings

Now, make sure automatic updates are enabled.

Return to File > Account > Update Options in Word or another desktop Office application.

If you see Disable Updates, automatic updates are generally enabled. If you see Enable Updates, the feature is still turned off, so select it if your account has permission to do so.

You can also check your installed Office version. On the Account page, look under Product Information and select About Word or the equivalent option for your application.

A window will display the installed version and build number. This information can help you identify your Office release when troubleshooting an update problem.

Keep in mind that different Office update channels receive updates at different times. Not seeing the newest feature immediately doesn’t necessarily mean automatic updates aren’t working.

Update Office Through Microsoft Store

Some Office applications may have been installed through the Microsoft Store rather than through the standard Microsoft 365 desktop installer. These installations may use a different update process.

Open the Microsoft Store from the Start menu. In Windows 11, select Downloads or Library, depending on the Store version. In Windows 10, open Library or the Downloads and updates area.

Look for the option to check for updates, then allow the Store to check for available app updates.

If your Office apps appear in the results, install the available updates.

To enable automatic app updates in a Store version that offers this setting, open the Store’s settings and turn on App updates or Update apps automatically, depending on the interface.

Not every Office installation uses the Store for updates. If your Office apps were installed through Microsoft 365 or an Office installer, use the Update Options menu in an Office application instead.

Missing or Disabled Update Options

Sometimes, you may open Office and discover that the Update Options button is missing, grayed out, or unavailable. This doesn’t always mean Office is broken.

On a work or school computer, an administrator may manage Office updates through organizational policies. In that case, you might not be able to change the setting yourself.

First, check whether you’re signed in with a work or school account. If so, contact your IT administrator to confirm how updates are managed.

Next, restart your computer and open Word again. Check File > Account to see whether the update options have returned.

Make sure your internet connection is working and that Office can access Microsoft’s update services. If you’re using a VPN or proxy, your organization’s network settings may affect update downloads.

If Office still won’t update, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11 or Settings > Apps > Apps & features in Windows 10. Find Microsoft 365 or your Office installation.

If the installation supports it, select Modify and try Quick Repair. This option repairs common Office installation problems without requiring a complete reinstall. Save your work and close Office apps before starting the repair.

If Quick Repair doesn’t help, consider Online Repair, which may require a more extensive download and reinstallation of Office components. 

Make sure you have access to your account and activation information before proceeding.

FAQs

1. How do I turn on automatic Microsoft Office updates?

Open Word or Excel, go to File > Account > Update Options, and select Enable Updates if that option appears. If you see Disable Updates, automatic updates are generally already enabled.

2. Why can’t I find Office Update Options?

The option may be unavailable because your Office version uses a different update method, your installation is managed by an administrator, or the application was installed through the Microsoft Store. Check the relevant update settings for your installation.

3. Do automatic Office updates work in Windows 10 and Windows 11?

Yes. Supported desktop versions of Microsoft Office and Microsoft 365 can update automatically on Windows 10 and Windows 11. The exact process depends on your Office edition, installation type, and update configuration.

4. Will enabling automatic Office updates delete my documents?

No. Enabling automatic updates does not normally delete your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoint presentations. However, you should save your work before installing updates or repairing Office.

5. How can I tell whether Office is up to date?

Open an Office application and navigate to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now. Office will check for applicable updates and report whether updates are available or whether you’re up to date.

6. Can I enable automatic Office updates without administrator access?

You can often enable updates through the Office Account menu if your installation permits it. However, some installations require administrator permissions or follow policies set by your organization. Contact your administrator if the option is unavailable.