How can I update my installation of Microsoft Office?

As with its other products, such as Windows XP, Microsoft releases periodic updates and service packs for its Office suite of programs. For example, Service Pack 1 for Office 2003 was released in 2004.

Using your Internet connection, you can choose from the following options for finding and installing Office updates:

• From the Help menu of any pre-Office 2007 application, select Check for Updates or Downloads and Updates.
  
  
• In Office 2007, you must set Internet Explorer (version 5 or newer) as your default browser to update from within the applications. Then follow these steps:
  
  
  1. From the Office Button menu, select Program Options (where Program is the name of the application you're using).
  2. In the window that opens, click the Check for Updates button.
  3. Internet Explorer will launch and load the Microsoft Update page. Click the Express button to install critical updates for all your Microsoft products.
  
  
• On a Windows computer, from the Start menu, select Windows Update. From the ensuing web page, there will be an option to update Office.
  
  
• In a web browser, use the Check for Updates link or consult the other links at one of these pages:
  
  
  • Windows: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx
  • Mac OS or OS X: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.mspx

Office updates also are available on CD from Microsoft. The IUware CD also typically contains certain current updates.

Note: Certain Microsoft updates, service packs, and hotfixes are available from IUware Online. However, Windows Update or Mactopia is the preferred site for such items. You may access Windows Update for Windows at:

For Mac OS and OS X, see:

Also see:

• What software is available on the IUware CD?
• In Windows, how can I tell which service packs are installed?
• In Microsoft Office 2000 and XP, what do I need for installing Service Pack 1, 2, or 3?
• What are service packs for Windows, and where can I get them?
• On my Mac, do I need to remove an older version of Microsoft Office before installing a new one?