Keep your computer updated by using Microsoft Update

This article explains what Microsoft Update options you can use to keep the Microsoft Office system and your other Microsoft software updated regularly.In this article

What is the Microsoft Update service?

Choose your update options from the Microsoft Update Wizard

Change your Automatic Update settings in Control Panel

Check for updates in a Office release program

What is the Microsoft Update service?

Microsoft Update is a service from Microsoft that delivers updates for Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and other Microsoft programs.

If you use Microsoft Update, you no longer need to go to different Web sites to get the latest updates for supported Microsoft software. For more information about which products are supported, see the Microsoft Update Web site.

Note If you use Microsoft Office 2000 or earlier, you can still get updates from Microsoft Office Downloads.

Updates often include downloads that can help to keep your computer secure.

Choose your update options from the Microsoft Update Wizard

The following options are available from the wizard:

• Download and install updates from Microsoft Update when available (recommended) Click this option to get automatic updates. If you choose this option, you can also choose how and when your updates are downloaded and installed on your computer using Control Panel.
• I don't want to use Microsoft Update Click this option if you don't want to get updates. Your currently configured settings for getting updates remain unchanged. By choosing not to get the updates, you can miss getting the downloads that can help to keep your computer more secure.

Change your Automatic Update settings in Control Panel

To change your Automatic Update settings, you must be logged on as a Microsoft Windows administrator, and then do the following:

1. Exit all programs.
2. In Microsoft Windows, click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
3. Do one of the following:
   • Microsoft Windows Vista Click System and Maintenance, and then click Windows Update.

     Note In Classic view, double-click Windows Update.

   • Microsoft Windows XP Click Performance and Maintenance, click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.

     Note In Classic view, double-click System, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.

Check for updates in a Office release program

1. Do one of the following in these Microsoft Office system programs:

   Access, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word

   1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , and then click Program Name Options, where Program Name is the name of the program you are in, for example, Word Options.
   2. Click Resources, and then click Check for Updates.

   InfoPath, OneNote, Outlook, Publisher, Project, SharePoint Designer, or Visio

   • On the Help menu, click Check for Updates.
2. Follow the directions on the Microsoft Update site.