4 Ways to Disable Office Updates on Windows 11

Aman is a Windows specialist and loves writing about the Windows ecosystem on Guiding Tech and MakeUseOf. He has a Bachelor’s in Information Technology and is now a full-time freelance writer with expertise in Windows, iOS, and browsers.

Afam has been a content writer with Guiding Tech Media since August 2023. However, his experience in tech writing dates back to 2018, when he worked as a freelance writer for Make Tech Easier. Over the years, he has grown a reputation for publishing quality guides, reviews, tips, and explainer articles. His work is featured on top websites, including Technical Ustad, Windows Report, and Next of Windows. He has training as a Microsoft Certified Professional and has covered more Microsoft-related guides on these platforms.

Method 1: Using an Office App

You can use any Microsoft Office app to turn off automatic updates for all Office applications. In the steps below, we’ll use Microsoft Word.

Step 1:Press theWindows keyto open the Start Menu.

Step 2:TypeWordand pressEnter.

Step 3:Click theAccountoption in the left sidebar.

Step 4:ClickUpdate Options> chooseDisable Updatesfrom the context menu.

Step 5:ClickYesto the Universal Access Control prompt.

Now, Windows will not update Office applications automatically.

Method 2: Using the Settings App

A quick way to handle updates on a Windows PC is through the Settings app. You can use it to manage Windows, drivers, and even Microsoft Office updates. Here’s a step-by-step instruction to disable Microsoft Office updates on Windows using the Settings app:

Step 1:Press theWindows+Ikeyboard shortcut to open the Settings app.

Step 2:ChooseWindows Updatefrom the left sidebar andAdvanced optionsin the right pane.

Step 3:Turn off the toggle for theReceive updates for other Microsoft productsoption.

Method 3: Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor in Windows tool is an important utility that enables you to manage crucial registries. You can access and configure the Microsoft Office registry so it does not update automatically. You may back up the registry and create a restore point before proceeding with the steps below.

Step 1:Press theWindowskey to open the Start Menu, typeRegistry Editorin the search bar, and pressEnter.

Step 2:In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:

Step 3:Right-click on theMicrosoft keyin the left sidebar, hover the cursor toNew, and chooseKey.

Step 4:Name the keyOffice.

Step 5:Right-click on theOffice keyin the left sidebar, hover the cursor toNew, and chooseKey.

Step 6:Name the key16.0.

Step 7:Right-click on the16.0key in the left sidebar, hover the cursor toNew, and chooseKey.

Step 8:Name the keyCommon.

Step 9:Right-click on theCommonkey in the left sidebar, hover the cursor toNew, and chooseKey.

Step 10:Name theOfficeUpdate.

Step 11:Right-click theOfficeUpdatekey, hover the cursor toNew, and chooseDWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 12:Name the valueEnableAutomaticUpdates.

Step 13:Double-click theEnableAutomaticUpdatesvalue, type0in theValue data, and clickOK.

Next, reboot your system. Following that, Microsoft Office will not download any updates on its own.

Method 4: Using the Local Group Policy Editor

Another way to stop Microsoft Office from updating automatically is by using the Local Group Policy Editor. Simply access theEnable Automatic Updatespolicy and set it toDisabled. You should downloadAdministrative Templates files (ADMX/ADML) for Office appsand follow the steps below.

Step 1:Open thedownloaded EXE file.

Step 2:Select the location where you want to extract the content and clickOK.

Step 3:Head to where you’ve extracted the content and open theadmxfolder.

Step 4:Press theCtrl+Akeyboard shortcut to select all the files inside theadmxfolder and pressCtrl+Ckeyboard shortcut to copy them.

Step 5:Press theWindows+Ekeyboard shortcut to open the File Explorer.

Step 6:Open theCdrive.

Step 7:Double-click on theWindowsfolder.

Step 8:Open thePolicyDefinitionsfolder.

Step 9:Press theCtrl+Vkeyboard shortcut to paste the copied content into thePolicyDefinationsfolder.

Step 10:Press theWindows+Rkeyboard shortcut to open the Run tool.

Step 11:Typegpedit.mscin the search bar and pressEnter.

Step 12:In the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to the following location:

Step 13:Double-click on theEnable Automatic Updatespolicy in the right pane.

Step 14:SelectDisabled. Then, clickApplyandOK.

Note:The Local Group Policy Editor is exclusive to Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. You’ll get the “gpedit.msc missing error” when accessing it on Windows Home. To eliminate this error and access the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows Home, check our guide onfixing gpedit.msc missing error.

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Last updated on 23 August, 2024

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