Office 365 Apps Not Updating Automatically After Windows Update (2025 Fix)
After a recent Windows update, have your Office 365 apps stopped updating automatically? You’re not alone—thousands of users report that Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint fail to download feature or security updates even though Windows Update runs normally. Here’s a complete 2025 guide to get Microsoft 365 Auto-Update working again without reinstalling your suite.
🔍 Why Office Auto-Update Stops Working
- Interrupted Windows update changed registry permissions or services.
- Office Click-to-Run Service disabled or set to Manual.
- Group Policy or metered-connection settings blocking background updates.
- Corrupted Office cache or configuration XML.
- VPN or proxy interference preventing connection to Microsoft servers.
⚙️ Step 1 – Check the Office Update Channel
Different Microsoft 365 channels receive updates at varying speeds. Open any Office app → File → Account → About Word. Note the channel—Current, Monthly Enterprise, or Semi-Annual. If it’s not “Current Channel,” switch it using PowerShell:
cd "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun\" officec2rclient.exe /update user updatepromptuser=true forceappshutdown=true
⚙️ Step 2 – Verify Click-to-Run Service Status
Press Win + R, type services.msc, locate Microsoft Office ClickToRun Service.
Set Startup type = Automatic → Click Start → Apply.
Then run in Command Prompt (Admin):
sc config ClickToRunSvc start= auto net start ClickToRunSvc
⚙️ Step 3 – Manually Trigger Office Update
Open any Office app → File → Account → Update Options → Update Now. If you get “Updates are managed by your organization,” disable the policy:
reg delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\office\16.0\common\officeupdate /f
⚙️ Step 4 – Reset Office Update Cache
Navigate to %ProgramData%\Microsoft\ClickToRun and delete the Client Telemetry Cache and Updates folders.
Restart your PC and launch any Office app to force new cache creation.
⚙️ Step 5 – Repair Office Installation
- Control Panel → Programs and Features.
- Select Microsoft 365 Apps → Change → Quick Repair.
- If problem persists, choose Online Repair.
⚙️ Step 6 – Check Metered and Group Policy Settings
- Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → turn off Set as metered connection.
- Press Win + R, type
gpedit.msc→ Computer Config → Admin Templates → Microsoft Office 2016 → Updates → Enable Automatic Updates = Enabled.
⚙️ Step 7 – Repair Windows Update Components
Sometimes Office depends on the Windows Update Agent. Run the following commands:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow
After repairs, restart and trigger Office update again.
💡 Advanced Tip – Switch to Beta or Insider Channel
To receive fixes faster, switch your update channel:
cd "%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun" officec2rclient.exe /changesetting Channel=BetaChannel officec2rclient.exe /update user