Microsoft Word Update

Keep Word 2007 running smoothly by regularly running Microsoft Word update. Critical updates usually include security patches and bug fixes, so it is important to check for them often.

Note: Because Word is part of Office 2007, Word patches are included in Microsoft Office updates.

This article shows you how how to automatically download the Microsoft Office update, how to turn-off automatic office updates, and if you don't want automatic updates, how to manually update Microsoft Office.

Enabling Automatic Update

You can get automatic security updates for Microsoft Office by turning on the Automatic Update tool in Windows.

Each month, the latest Microsoft security patches, critical updates, and hotfixes are released to the general public on the 2nd Tuesday of every month, which is commonly known as "Patch Tuesday."

If Automatic Update is turned on, your computer will automatically download and install the Microsoft Word update for you. It will run in the background while you continue working, but depending on your system speed and internet connection, you may experience slower performance while your computer is updated.

Tech Note: Automatic Update downloads patches for the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office programs you have installed, even components of some earlier versions of Office. You must have genuine Microsoft software installed to be eligible for automatic security updates.

To turn on Automatic Update, follow these steps:

Windows XP

1. Click Start.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Click Security Center.
   
4. Click the Turn on Automatic Updates button.
5. Close Control Panel.

Windows Vista

1. Click Start.
2. Select Control Panel.
3. Click the Security link.
4. Under Security Center, click Turn automatic updating on or off.
5. In the Automatic Updates window, select Automatic (recommended). Choose the day and time that you would like updates to download and install.
   
6. Click OK.

If you are running genuine Microsoft software, your computer will now be updated automatically at the specified time, and you never have to worry about running Microsoft Word update.

Stopping Automatic Update

Because it sometimes causes slow performance, some users prefer to turn off automatic security updates, then download and install Office updates at their own convenience.

You can turn off Automatic Update completely, allow it to download the Microsoft update patches so you can choose when you want to install them, or only be notified when updates are available.

To turn off Office updates:

1. Follow the steps outlined in Enable Automatic Update to access the Security Center in your Windows operating system.
2. In Windows XP, under Manage Security Settings for, select Automatic Updates.
   
   In Windows Vista, under Security Center, click Turn automatic updating on or off.
3. In the Automatic Updates window, select which option you prefer:
   - Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.
   - Notify me but don't automatically download or install them.
   - Turn off automatic updates.
   
4. Click OK.

If you turn off automatic update, make sure you manually download Microsoft Office Updates on a regular schedule.

Manually Download Microsoft Word Update

If you do not want automatic security updates for Microsoft Office, you can manually update your software through the Word Options tool. You should manually update each month, preferably within a few days of "Patch Tuesday."

To manually update Microsoft Office:

1. Make sure your internet connection is active.
2. Click the Office Button.
   
3. Click Word Options.
   
4. On the left navigation menu, select Resources.
5. Click Check for Updates.
6. An Internet Explorer browser window will open and load the Microsoft Office online update page.
7. Click Express to receive all critical updates, or Custom to choose from a directory of optional and high-priority updates.
8. Always carefully follow the instructions for installing updates and restarting your computer.

Sources:

"Security updates". Microsoft. February 10, 2009. http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/update/bulletins/default.mspx. Retrieved on 02-10-2009.

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