Keep your computer updated by using Microsoft Update

This article explains what Microsoft Update options you can use to keep the 2007 Microsoft Office system and your other Microsoft software updated regularly.

• 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 2007 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.

Top of Page

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.

Top of Page

Change your Automatic Update settings in Control Panel

• Windows Vista
• Windows XP

Windows Vista

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 Windows Vista, click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.
3. Click System and Maintenance, and then click Windows Update.

 Note   In Classic view, double-click Windows Update.

Top of Page

Windows XP

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. 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.

Top of Page

Check for updates in a 2007 Office release program

• Access
• Excel
• InfoPath
• OneNote
• Outlook
• PowerPoint
• Project
• Publisher
• SharePoint Designer
• Visio
• Word

Access

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then at the bottom of the dialog click Access Options.
2. In the left pant, click Resources, and then click Check for Updates.
3. Follow the directions on the Microsoft Update site.

Top of Page

Excel

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then at the bottom of the dialog, click Excel Options.
2. In the left pane, click Resources, and then click Check for Updates.
3. Follow the directions on the Microsoft Update site.

Top of Page

InfoPath

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

Top of Page

OneNote

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

Top of Page

Outlook

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

Top of Page

PowerPoint

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then on the bottom of the dialog, click PowerPoint Options.
2. In the left pane, click Resources, and then click Check for Updates.
3. Follow the directions on the Microsoft Update site.

Top of Page

Project

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

Top of Page

Publisher

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

Top of Page

SharePoint Designer

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

Top of Page

Visio

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

Top of Page

Word

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then on the bottom of the dialog, click Word Options.
2. In the left pane, click Resources, and then click Check for Updates.
3. Follow the directions on the Microsoft Update site.

Top of Page