If you’re like most people, you use Microsoft Word to write documents. You might use it to create a document for work, or to write a personal document. Maybe you’re writing a letter, or an email. Whatever the case may be, you need to update Microsoft Word on your computer. There are two ways to do this: through the Windows Control Panel and through the Mac App Store. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail. Windows Control Panel To update Microsoft Word on Windows using the Windows Control Panel, open the Control Panel by clicking on the Start button and typing “Control Panel” into the search box. When Control Panel appears in the results list, click on it to open it. Then click on Programs and Features in the left column of Control Panel. In the Programs and Features window that opens, double-click on Microsoft Office 2016 (or whatever version of Microsoft Word you’re using). The Office 2016 window that opens will have several tabs at the top: General, Applications and Features, and Updates. In this article we’ll focus only on Updates. Click on Updates in this window to open its contents. The first thing you’ll see is a list of all of your installed versions of Microsoft Office products (including Microsoft Word). Underneath this list is a section called “Update Options.” In this section are two buttons: Install updates automatically (recommended) and Check for updates but let me choose whether to install them (recommended). If you want to install all of the available updates for Microsoft Word, click on Install updates automatically . If you just want to check for new updates without installing them right away, click on Check for updates but let me choose whether to install them . Either way, after clicking either of these buttons, Update Options will change slightly so that it looks like this: Clicking either of these buttons will start downloading and installing all available updates ..
If you use a recent version of Microsoft Word included as part of a Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office 365) subscription or as a standalone app purchased from the Mac App Store or Microsoft Store on Windows, it’s easy to keep it up-to-date. Here’s how.
How to Update Word 365 on Windows
If you’re running Microsoft Word as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, it’s easy to update the app. First, open the Word application. Navigate to the “Home” screen where you load documents. If you just opened the app, you’re already there. If you’re editing a document click “File” in the tab bar.
In the sidebar on the Home screen that appears, click “Account.”
You’re now on the “Account” page. Look in the right column of options and click the “Office Updates” button. In the menu the appears below it, click “Update Now.”
Office will check for updates and install them if necessary. If you have the latest version of Word, you’ll see a message that says “You’re up to date!” In the future, you can turn on automatic updates by selecting the same “Office Updates” button and selecting “Enable Updates.”
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How to Update Word 365 on Mac
To update Microsoft Word that’s part of a Microsoft 365 subscription on a Mac, first open the Word app. On the menu bar at the top of the screen, click “Help,” and then select “Check For Updates.”
Office will open Microsoft AutoUpdate to check for updates, then download and install any available updates. Once you’re running the latest version of Word, you’ll see a message that says “All apps are up-to-date.”
When you’re done, close AutoUpdate, and you’re ready to get back to writing.
How to Update Word Purchased From an App Store
If you’ve downloaded or purchased Microsoft Word as a standalone app from the Mac App store or the Microsoft Store on Windows, you can update Word from the store app itself.
On a Mac, open the App Store and click “Updates” in the sidebar. Locate the “Word” app, and if there’s an “Update” button located beside it, click it to install updates.
On Windows 10 or 11, open the Microsoft Store app, then click “Library” in the sidebar. In your list of apps, locate Word. If there’s an update available, you’ll see an “Update” button nearby. Click it.
After that, Microsoft Word will update. Close the App Store or Microsoft Store app, and you’re all set.
RELATED: How to Update All Your Mac Apps
How to Update Legacy Versions of Word
If you’re running an older version of Word, Microsoft provides standalone installation files for Windows on its website. It also provides instructions on how to check for updates on several older versions of Word, but note that Office 2010 and earlier are no longer supported, so Microsoft encourages you to upgrade to a Microsoft 365 subscription. Good luck, and happy writing!
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