If you find an app by the name of Microsoft AutoUpdate running in the background of your Mac’s Activity Monitor, then fear not, for it is a legitimate process. Most Mac users would think why is there a Microsoft process on an Apple computer? The answer is simple! The Microsoft AutoUpdate process updates any Microsoft apps installed on your Mac like Microsoft Office, Skype, Teams, and other Microsoft standalone apps.
On your Mac, you can disable Microsoft AutoUpdate if it causes slowdowns and crashes, distracts you, or you want to update your apps yourself. Continue reading to find out how to halt Microsoft AutoUpdate on the Mac mini, iMac, and MacBook.
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Understanding Microsoft AutoUpdate On Mac
Microsoft AutoUpdate is an applet that updates Microsoft Office and other Microsoft products including OneNote, OneDrive, and Teams. You can download and install it independently, but it is also included with most Microsoft programs. Microsoft AutoUpdate scans for updates automatically by default and the installation or updation process is carried out in the background. This is advantageous because updated Microsoft software versions provide new features, bug patches, and enhancements. But if you wish to turn off Microsoft AutoUpdate and prefer to update Microsoft’s Mac applications at your own pace, then this blog will help you out.
Also Read: How To Fix Microsoft Excel not Opening on Mac
Should You Remove Microsoft AutoUpdate On Mac?
There are a few reasons as to why one can remove Microsoft AutoUpdate on Mac.
- You no longer use any Microsoft Products on your Mac.
- The Microsoft apps you use have an inbuilt auto-update feature just like the Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft AutoUpdate uses the resources of your Mac while operating in the background thus slowing down the Mac.
- Microsoft updates may introduce new features while updating older versions. So if you wish to keep using the older version then you would have to prevent auto updates from executing.
- Microsoft AutoUpdate may also result in further problems like it can ask you to stop using certain apps during updates or stop downloads when you move networks.
Also Read: How To Fix Microsoft Teams not Working on Mac
How To Stop Microsoft Updates on Mac?
You can configure Microsoft AutoUpdate to stop automatically downloading and installing program updates on your Mac. You must first launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate app to make these changes. However, on macOS or OS X, you won’t locate Microsoft AutoUpdate in the Launchpad or Applications folder. Instead, you must go to its installation location to access it directly.
Step 1: Press Control and click the Finder icon on the Dock.
Step 2: Choose Go to Folder option.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following path and then press the Enter key.
/Library/Application Support/Microsoft
Step 4: The Finder window will now open where you have to search for a folder that begins with “MAU..” and open this folder.
Step 5: Here you will find the Microsoft AutoUpdate file which you need to double-click to launch it open.
Step 6: In the window that opens up, uncheck the box next to “Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date”.
Step 7: A confirmation popup will now appear where you have to click on the Turn Off button.
Step 8: Close the Microsoft AutoUpdate window.
Note: Open Microsoft AutoUpdate the next time you wish to update your Microsoft apps, then click the Check for Updates button. Then, click the Update button next to an app to install that update, or click Update All to install all currently available updates. As an alternative, you can check for updates using any built-in update feature in a Microsoft program.
Also Read: 6 Ways To Fix Microsoft Word Keeps Crashing on a Mac Issue
Bonus: How To Delete Microsoft AutoUpdate On Mac?
You can choose to remove Microsoft AutoUpdate from your Mac if your Mac no longer has any Microsoft programs installed. The procedure includes putting the applet in the Trash and deleting the program’s startup agent and launch daemon entries.
Step 1: Press Control and click the Finder icon on the Dock.
Step 2: Choose Go to Folder option.
Step 3: Copy and paste the following path and then press the Enter key.
/Library/Application Support/Microsoft
Step 4: Locate the folder that begins with “Mau..” and Control Click on it.
Step 5: Choose “Move To Trash”. You may have to enter the Mac login password.
Step 6: Next, open the Folder box and navigate to another folder by using the path below:
/Library/LaunchAgents/
Step 7: Locate and delete the following file:
Com.microsoft.update.agent.plist
Step 8: Now, go to the next folder.
/Library/LaunchDaemons/
Step 9: Delete the following file.
com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper
Note: You can always redownload the Microsoft AutoUpdate from the official Microsoft website.
Also Read: How To Remove Microsoft 365 From Mac Completely
Bonus Tip: Use Cleanup My System To Optimize Your Mac
If your Mac is running slowly and sluggishly, you should restore system speed, increase productivity, free up storage space, and optimize your Mac’s performance. Use Cleanup My System to accomplish this in one click by locating and eliminating garbage files, unwanted mail attachments, huge & outdated files, and more. These are a few of its attributes:
- With the help of this fantastic tool, you can see login items and choose whether to remove them.
- Managing installed programs and totally removing undesirable software is also possible.
- You can find large and outdated files using up unneeded space by using the Large Files feature offered by Cleanup My System.
- To safeguard your online privacy and shield yourself from cyberattacks, data breaches, etc., it helps you to clear cookies, download histories, browsing histories, and other data that has been saved on the browser.
- You may encrypt and erase personal browsing data with the Identity Protection module, as well as remove digital traces.
- View graphical disk use statistics to see how much storage is consumed by different file kinds with Disk Analyzer module.
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The Final Word On How To Stop Microsoft AutoUpdate On Mac
Even while Microsoft AutoUpdate is secure, not everyone likes automated updates. Don’t forget to manually check for and update any Microsoft programs if you disable it. If you don’t need to update anything else from Microsoft, feel free to uninstall it as well. However, you can be dealing with dangerous malware disguising itself as a genuine application if you remove Microsoft AutoUpdate but it keeps popping up on your Mac on its own. In that case, we recommend using one of the best antivirus software for Mac.
Please let us know in the comments below if you have any questions or recommendations. We would be delighted to provide you with a resolution. We frequently publish advice, tricks, and solutions to common tech-related problems. Follow us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
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