Solved Obtaining and applying Office 2013 updates

Mark Phelps

New Member
VIP Member
Pro User
Messages
1,041
I recently installed Office 2013 ProPlus (obtained legally through my company) and yesterday, saw a popup in the System Tray telling me that updates were available.

When I clicked it, nothing appeared to happen. So, I searched using IE and found Microsoft Update and installed it.

Then, I used the option to do an in-place Repair of Office 2013 -- which worked OK and then caused the System Tray popup to appear -- again. When I clicked it, nothing appeared to happen -- again.

So, I did an Online Repair of Office 2013 -- which is misnamed because what it actually did was reinstall it from scratch. Same System Tray popup, same no changes.

So, I started Windows Update, had it check for updates, and expected it to find Office 2013 updates, but it found nothing new.

In Win7, my Office 2010 gets updated through Windows Update. I don't have to do anything special.

So, what do I have to do to get Office 2013 updates?
 

My Computer

Generally, you don't have to do anything special in Windows 8 either. Make sure Microsoft update is on (last checkbox here)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Hi Mark,

The Office 2013 updates are not distributed through Windows Update. When there are updates you will be notified through a message in the system tray. The message is just for information. The updates will install automatically. You cannot initiate it manually.

As far as I know there is no manual methode to check for Office updates. I've been using Office 2013 since the HUP launch early january this year. Since then I've tried searching for a way to manually check for updates but I haven't found any. So I gave up ;).

I guess the only thing you can do is to rely on the thought that everything will update in the background.

Greetz,

Rover
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Der Snoober, your post puzzled me for а moment, because I do get updates via Microsoft Update per the option mentioned in the post #2. Then I remembered that there are two ways to install Office 2013: traditional and Click-to-Run. You and Mark Phelps probably have the latter, and that should solve the mystery :)
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Hi Mark,

The Office 2013 updates are not distributed through Windows Update.
Strange:

2013-05-31_113916.png


Anyway, Mark have you checked that Windows Update is set up to receive Office updates? If it is you should see the highlighted text:

2013-05-31_113710.png


If not, set Windows Update to receive Office updates:

2013-05-31_113615.png


Kari
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
Hi Kari,

Per my explanation above:
If your Microsoft Office product was installed with Microsoft Office Click-to-Run, use Click-to-Run Product Updates instead of Microsoft Update
Googling Click-to-Run provides the technology insights.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Yeah, I noticed your post after posting mine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ENVY 17-1150eg
    CPU
    1.6 GHz Intel Core i7-720QM Processor
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5850 Graphics
    Sound Card
    Beats sound system with integrated subwoofer
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" laptop display, 22" LED and 32" Full HD TV through HDMI
    Screen Resolution
    1600*900 (1), 1920*1080 (2&3)
    Hard Drives
    Internal: 2 x 500 GB SATA Hard Disk Drive 7200 rpm
    External: 2TB for backups, 3TB USB3 network drive for media
    Cooling
    As Envy runs a bit warm, I have it on a Cooler Master pad
    Keyboard
    Logitech diNovo Media Desktop Laser (bluetooth)
    Mouse
    Logitech MX1000 Laser (Bluetooth)
    Internet Speed
    50 MB VDSL
    Browser
    Maxthon 3.5.2., IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender 4.3.9431.0
    Other Info
    Windows in English, additional user accounts in Finnish, German and Swedish.
After doing some research, I discovered that my Office 2013 was evidently installed using Click-to-Run.

Maybe this is how ProPlus versions made available through the Home Use Program work.

I did notice that when the updates first appeared in the System Tray, and I clicked that, nothing appeared to happen. But evidently, updates are then installed in the background.

Also, I have checked all the box about updates, and in my case, Windows Update does NOT provide notifications of Office 2013 updates. But, from what has been said, that is probably a side effect of Click-to-Run.

Thanks for all the advice.
 

My Computer

MSFT is trying to make the process of updating Windows and Office as unobtrusive as possible, and it's intereseting how we get concerned when we don't see traditional activity. Although, the pop-up about available updates without coherent response from the system sounds like not a good UX.

Just curious, do Office updates display in update history?

And I think you can mark the thread as solved at this point.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
I also installed my Office via Click-To-Run. I have a Home Use Program Professional version. So that must be the reason why I don't recieve the updates through Windows Update.

Kari, I have the settings of Windows Update checked as you describe. So there must be two different ways 'in the market' for Office to update.

Confusing...:confused:

@Vadikan, no. The updates do not show in the update history.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
@Der Snoober
Interesting. There should be some documentation on MSDN or TechNet, but meanwhile can you run this in PowerShell and see if Office updates show up there?

Code:
$wu = new-object -com "Microsoft.Update.Searcher"
$totalupdates = $wu.GetTotalHistoryCount()
$wu.QueryHistory(0,$totalupdates) | fl -Property title,description
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Vadikan, wow....that created a long list :eek:! And this was my first ever time I've used the powershell :cool:. For work I do a lot of programming in Visual Basic for Applications and in SAS Base, so I think I do quite understand the things you've let me type.

Back to the point now. I've checked the entire list and the only Office updates I did encouter where updates for Office 2010. Which I've had installed on this pc until I moved to Office 2013 early January this year.

There is NO record of any Office 2013 updates.

Wierd isn't it?

Rover
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Hi Rover,

Thanks for checking. I'm glad you tried PS :)

I gather Click-to-Run is virtualized, and this applies to updates as well. That's why they don't show up in the list. There are a couple of good links, although they don't really clarify the update mechanism.
An overview of Microsoft Office Click-to-Run for Office 2010
Click-to-Run: Delivering Office in the 21st Century - Microsoft Office 2010 Engineering - Site Home - TechNet Blogs

Probably, somebody familiar with App-V would have a better idea of the process.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Hmmmm, I've quickly read the links you've posted. At first it made me wonder weather or not I do have a Click-To-Run installation. So I did some digging.

I have a full copy of Office Professional Plus installed here. It's the business version that comes through the Home Use Program. In the Office programs, say for instance Outlook or Excel, I can look up the "product information". Here I have an option to enable/disable Office updates. There is also some reference to the updates. After clicking for more information I'm being redirected to this site: Microsoft Office 2013 Click-to-Run virtualization

So yes, I guess I've got a Click-To-Run version. Lol.... wasn't aware of this :eek:. But then again, for a mere €12,95 there is no ground to complain!

Thanks for the extra information you've provided!

Greetz,

Rover
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Here is an interestion article of Technet which explains how Click-To-Run actually works.
Overview of Click-to-Run

The most important part for me was ==>
[... After the product is completely downloaded and installed, users can disconnect from the network or Internet and continue to use the Office product. This is because the Office product is installed on the local computer. The Office product is not running from a server on the Internet or from a server on your local network....]

So this is not 'in the cloud' software. Just another way to distribute the software. Fjieuw... :eek:.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
I've found the description of the App-V update process. Basically, the update takes place on the management server, and then the difference between the application packages on the server and the client is streamed to the client.

Getting Started with Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V)

Since update installation doesn't actually occur on the client, they don't show up in local Windows/Microsoft update lists.

Mark, I think you can mark this thread as solved now.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion dv7t (17.3'', i7-2630QM, HD 6770M 1Gb, 8Gb RAM, 2 SSD@120Gb + 1 HDD@750Gb)
Back
Top