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Microsoft AutoUpdate of Office 2008 for Mac

Qian Bao
Qian Bao asked
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Hi Mac Experts

My Intel iMac has Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac running on Leopard. When I installed Office 2008, the installer installed Messenger for Mac along with other Office components and put all the applications in the same folder. They all seemed well integrated. The Mac also has Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) for Mac installed.

After I installed the above mentioned packages, I didn't manually download and install any newer version of them. I rely on Microsoft AutoUpdate to timely check the updates and patch the applications.

I have just noticed that Messenger for Mac and RDC for Mac are currently not the latest version, though the differences in number are minor. All current version information is in the screen shots below. As I remember, they should be earlier versions while installing them.

My question is: Does Microsoft AutoUpdate automatically update not only Office components but also other MS applications such as Messenger and RDC, hence its name, "Microsoft" AutoUpdate not just "Office" AutoUpdate?

Thanks in advance.
B
Messenger-for-Mac.jpg
RDC-for-Mac.jpg
Word-2008-for-Mac.jpg
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splait

Commented:
This is what Mactopia says:

Office 2008, Office 2008 Home and Student Edition, Office 2008 Special Media Edition, Word 2008, Excel 2008, PowerPoint 2008, Entourage 2008, Microsoft Expression Media for Mac.

So, those two products are not included in the auto update process.

Sorry!
Qian BaoTechnical Specialist

Author

Commented:
Hi Splait

Thanks for your comment. Could you please share the Mactopia URL where the above information is from?

Moreover, I might be wrong, but I do remember when Messenger and RDC were initially installed, they were very early versions... that's why I thought they could be automatically updated for a period of time.

Regards,
B
Commented:
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads.mspx?pid=Mactopia_AddTools&fid=31BC88ED-DF2D-471A-B4B5-66C2A51C8BEA

Scroll down and look at the description on the lower right side of the screen.

There is probably a "search for updates" selection under the Help menu.  They may also have a setting in Preferences for notifying you when updates are available.
Qian BaoTechnical Specialist

Author

Commented:
Checked that link. Please see the screen shot for the word I highlighted.

FYI - My AutoUpdate version is 2.2.1 (100505), see the screen shot.

I checked the menu of AutoUpdate, but didn't see any Preferences or Options or something like that. :(
About-Microsoft-AutoUpdate.jpg
Microsoft-AutoUpdateScreenSnapz0.jpg
splait

Commented:
I have used Microsoft Update for many years on both Windows and Apple PCs.  It doesn't update everything Microsoft even on a Windows PC.

I can't find anything out there that identifies exactly what products AutoUpdate works on besides Office.  If you still feel it should update your stuff, call Microsoft and ask.
Qian BaoTechnical Specialist

Author

Commented:
> It doesn't update everything Microsoft even on a Windows PC.

It's not true. Microsoft Update and Windows Update are different, hence their names. Microsoft Update on PC does update other Microsoft products, as shown below.
Windows-Update-on-PC.jpg
Microsoft-Update-on-PC.jpg
splait

Commented:
True. "Microsoft Update on PC does update other Microsoft products".  I said it doesn't update EVERYTHING Microsoft.  It comes close, though.  Remember, not all updates are critical.  Those that aren't are not installed automatically.

I don't believe I mentioned Windows Update.

While AutoUpdate does automatically install some updates, it doesn't do everything.

What I was saying before is that your time might be better spent calling Microsoft.  You should get a more definitive answer from them.  

All I can do is tell you what I know and can find out.  Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't always publish what we need to know.
Qian BaoTechnical Specialist

Author

Commented:
> Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't always publish what we need to know.

Hehe, the same thing if you call them. :)