4 Ways to Stop Automatic Office Updates on Windows
By default, all your Office apps are set to update themselves automatically in the background. Although this approach keeps your Office apps updated with the latest features and improvements, these updates can sometimes overwhelm you or worse, cause new problems.
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1. How to Stop Automatic Office Updates via the Settings App
Windows lets you check for any pending Office updates directly from the Settings app. This allows you to install Office updates along with other system updates. If you don’t want that, you can disable theReceive updates for other Microsoft productsoption in the Settings app. Here are the steps for the same.
2. How to Stop Automatic Office Updates Using One of Its Apps
You can also opt out of automatic Office updates by using one of its apps, such as Word or Excel. Here’s how you can go about it.
Once you complete the above steps, your Office apps will not check for and install newer updates. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to install updates manually.
If you want to re-enable automatic updates later, use the same steps above and selectEnable Updatein theUpdate Optionsmenu.
3. How to Stop Automatic Office Updates Using the Group Policy Editor
Another way to disable automatic Office updates is via the Group Policy Editor. It’s worth noting that you can only access the Group Policy Editor on Professional, Education, or Enterprise editions of Windows. If you’re on Windows Home, be sure to check outhow to access the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows Homebefore continuing.
By default, the Group Policy Editor does not include any modules for managing Microsoft Office settings. So, in order to stop automatic Office updates via the Group Policy Editor, first, you’ll have to download and install Administrative Templates for Microsoft Office products. Here are the steps for the same.
After completing the above steps, you’re all set to disable automatic Office updates via the Group Policy Editor. Here are the steps you can follow.
If you want to re-enable automatic updates for Office apps later, simply set theEnable Automatic Updatespolicy toEnabled.
4. How to Stop Automatic Office Updates With the Registry Editor
You can also use the Registry Editor to make the above policy change and disable automatic Office updates on your computer. Since Registry Editor holds important settings for Windows and its apps, you should only use this method if you’re comfortable editing theWindows Registry.
If you decide to use this method, ensure you back up all the registry files or create a restore point beforehand. If you need help, refer to our guide onhow to create a restore point on Windowsand follow the steps outlined there.
Once you’ve done that, use the following steps to disable automatic Office updates via the Registry Editor.
After completing the above steps, restart your computer. Following that, Office apps won’t update automatically on your computer. If you want to undo this change, open the Registry Editor again and delete theEnableAutomaticUpdatesDWORD.
Stop Automatic Office Updates on Windows
It is almost always preferable to keep your Office apps up to date so that you can benefit from new features and security updates. Hence, if you disable automatic Office updates for some reason, don’t forget to check for new updates manually every once in a while.
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