Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac Help

• About AutoUpdate
• Download and install available updates
• Schedule automatic checks for updates

About AutoUpdate

Microsoft AutoUpdate for Mac can keep your Microsoft software up-to-date automatically. You no longer have to search for critical updates and information; AutoUpdate delivers them directly to your computer.

If you install a Microsoft program on your computer that supports AutoUpdate, such as MSN for Mac OS X, the program registers with AutoUpdate. This way, AutoUpdate will look for updates only to the Microsoft programs you use.

You retain complete control over updates. AutoUpdate provides a list of updates, and you can then choose the updates you want to download and install. Once the updates are downloaded to your computer, AutoUpdate installs them for you. AutoUpdate does not download and install updates without your consent.

Incomplete updates are deleted, so your computer stays clean. If AutoUpdate is unable to download or install an update, AutoUpdate deletes the incomplete files from your computer and leaves your Microsoft software untouched. If you want to install the update later, you can download it again by opening AutoUpdate and clicking Check for Updates.

You can specify when you want AutoUpdate to check for updates to your Microsoft software. For example, you can use AutoUpdate manually when you want to check for updates, or you can set AutoUpdate to check for updates automatically on a regular schedule.

Download and install available updates

If you set AutoUpdate to check for updates automatically on a regular schedule, AutoUpdate opens each time new updates are found.

To download and install available updates:

1. In the AutoUpdate window, review the list of available updates.
   For more information about the update, click the update, and then click Learn More.
2. Do one of the following:
   To download and install an update, make sure that the check box beside it is selected.
   To prevent AutoUpdate from downloading and installing an update, clear the check box beside it.
3. Click Install.
4. When prompted, enter a username and password that has administrator privileges on your computer.
   AutoUpdate will not proceed with the download until you enter a username and password with administrator privileges. AutoUpdate might also prompt you to close the program it is updating. You must do this in order to install the update properly.

Notes

• For more information about user accounts and administrator privileges, see Mac Help.
• If AutoUpdate is unable to download or install an update, you can try it again later by opening AutoUpdate and clicking Check for Updates.
• If you have trouble using AutoUpdate to install an update, check the Downloads section of the Mactopia Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download to see if the update is available for manual download.
• If you are connecting to the Internet through a firewall or proxy server, make sure that your Web Proxy (HTTP) settings are correct. You can check your settings on the Proxies tab of the Network pane in System Preferences.

Schedule automatic checks for updates

To set AutoUpdate to check for updates automatically on a regular schedule:

1. Open AutoUpdate.
2. Click Automatically, and then click the schedule you want on the pop-up menu.