Microsoft 365

Question

Microsoft 365 has not updated Word, excel, Publisher, etc.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

I understand the issue you have. There is nothing to worry about. I am here to assist. You can update your Office 365 by following the steps below:

Open an Office app (Such as Word or Excel)

Select File > Account > Update Options

Select Update Now

Answer 2

The correct update method depends on whether Microsoft 365 is installed on Windows or macOS; use the matching procedure below and check the installed build afterward.

Windows

1. Save your documents and confirm the PC has a working internet connection and sufficient free disk space.
2. Restart Windows.
3. Open Word and create or open a document.
4. Select File > Account.
5. Under Product Information, select Update Options > Enable Updates if shown, then select Update Now.
6. Allow all Office applications to close if prompted. The expected result is “You’re up to date” or “Updates were installed.”
7. Return to File > Account and check the version and build under About Word. ^1^

If Update Options is missing and only About appears, the installation may use volume licensing or updates may be controlled by organizational policy. On a work or school computer, contact the IT administrator because Group Policy or Cloud Update can control which build is installed. ^1^

If Windows still will not update

Repair the entire Microsoft 365 installation:

• Windows 11: Right-click Start > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 > … > Modify.
• Windows 10: Right-click Start > Apps and Features > Microsoft 365 > Modify.
• For the usual Click-to-Run installation, select Online Repair > Repair. This is more thorough than Quick Repair and may require a restart. ^2^

Do not seek out KB5002907 as a general update fix. Microsoft paused its rollout after some Office 2016 and Office 2019 devices were left unlicensed, nonfunctional, or without Office. If Windows Update already installed it and Office now reports Unlicensed Product, reactivate Office; if Office disappeared, reinstall the purchased edition. ^3^

macOS

1. Open Word or Excel.
2. Select Help > Check for Updates to open Microsoft AutoUpdate.
3. Select Update or Update All, or enable automatic updating.
4. Reopen an app and check Word > About Microsoft Word or the equivalent application menu for the installed version.

Microsoft’s Office for Mac AutoUpdate procedure is available here: Update Office for Mac automatically. ^4^

If the Mac runs macOS Monterey 12, current Microsoft 365 releases are no longer supported there. Version 16.88 was the final supported Office build. The preferable solution is to upgrade macOS to a supported release so Office can continue receiving current security and feature updates. If that is impossible, uninstall the current Office installation and install the final Monterey-compatible Microsoft 365 and Office 16.88 package; it will not receive newer fixes or features. ^5^

About Publisher

Publisher’s retirement on October 1, 2026 does not retire Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or the other applications included with an active Microsoft 365 subscription. Publisher-specific availability or support behavior may therefore differ from the rest of the suite, but it does not explain Word and Excel also remaining on an old build. ^6^

If these steps fail, note the operating system, Office version/build, update error message, and whether this is a personal or organization-managed installation. Contact the organization’s IT help desk for managed devices; otherwise, contact Microsoft Support.

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References

1. How to update Microsoft 365 or Office for Windows | Microsoft Support
2. Repair an Office application
3. KB5002907: Optional update for out-of-date Microsoft 365 Apps installations | Microsoft Support
4. Need Updated 365 Office - Microsoft Q&A
5. Unable to update the Microsoft 365 apps on my Mac Air - Microsoft Q&A
6. What programs are expiring with the Office 365 subscription? - Microsoft Q&A