How to Update Microsoft 365 on Windows 11

In the ever-evolving world of productivity software, keeping Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) up to date is no longer optional—it’s essential. Whether you’re using Word for writing reports, Excel for crunching data, or OneDrive to back up your files, regular updates ensure better performance, stronger security, and access to the latest features.

While Microsoft 365 is designed to update automatically, many users encounter situations where manual intervention is necessary—especially after Windows updates, software conflicts, or system tweaks.

This guide will walk you through four proven ways to manually update Microsoft 365 on Windows 11, including how to enable auto-updates, use the Microsoft Store, or trigger updates via your Office apps.

✅ 1. Enable Automatic Updates for Microsoft 365

By default, Microsoft 365 is set to update automatically. But if you’re missing out on features or updates, it’s likely that automatic updates were disabled—either manually or during a system change.

Steps to Enable Auto-Updates:

1- Open any Microsoft 365 app (e.g., Word or Excel).

2- Click on File in the top-left corner.

3- Choose Account from the sidebar.

• Under the “Product Information” section, look for the Office Updates label.

• If it says “This product will not be updated,” click on the Update Options dropdown.

• Select Enable Updates to allow automatic updates in the future.

Once enabled, Microsoft 365 will automatically download and install updates as they become available.

✅ 2. Update Microsoft 365 via Windows Update

Windows Update doesn’t just keep your OS current—it can also handle updates for Microsoft 365, especially if you downloaded Office through Microsoft directly (not the Microsoft Store).

Steps to Check for Updates:

1- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update.

2- Click on Advanced options.

3- Toggle on Receive updates for other Microsoft products.

4- Click Check for updates and let the system fetch the latest versions.

💡 Note: If you’re running Windows 11 24H2 or later, Office updates are even more tightly integrated into system updates.

✅ 3. Use Microsoft Store to Update Office Apps

If you installed Microsoft 365 from the Microsoft Store, updates are managed through the Store app itself. This method is especially useful for Windows 11 users or Microsoft 365 Personal/Family subscribers.

How to Update via Microsoft Store:

1- Close all Microsoft Office apps.

2- Open the Microsoft Store.

3- Click on the Library icon (bottom-left on Windows 11).

4- Click Get Updates.

If Microsoft 365 updates are available, they will appear here. Simply click Update All or select Update next to Office.

This method also updates any other apps installed through the Store—handy for maintaining an optimized system.

✅ 4. Update Microsoft 365 Apps Individually (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)

Sometimes you may want to update a specific app, like Excel or Word, especially if a new feature rollout affects only one of them.

Example: Update Microsoft Excel

1. Launch Microsoft Excel.
2. Go to File > Account.
3. Click on Update Options > Update Now.

Repeat this for each app (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) to ensure your entire Office Suite is up to date.

💡 Bonus Tip: Recent Features You Might Be Missing

Updating Microsoft 365 ensures access to new tools. Here are some recent additions as of 2025:

• Microsoft Copilot AI now fully integrated into Word and Excel.
• Real-time collaboration enhancements across Teams, Word, and OneNote.
• Excel Live Charts that pull data from Power BI dashboards.
• Improved security sandboxing in Outlook for phishing detection.

Don’t let outdated software limit your productivity or expose you to security risks.

🧠 Conclusion:

Whether you’re a student, business owner, or everyday user, keeping Microsoft 365 up to date is key to productivity, security, and stability. While most systems handle this automatically, knowing how to manually update gives you control when automation fails.

Try the steps above to make sure your version of Microsoft 365 is current—and unlock the latest tools, bug fixes, and innovations. If you encounter any issues or need more tips, feel free to drop a comment below!