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Automatic updates in Microsoft Office 2016 explained

Microsoft Office 2016 landed at the end of September and brought a number of changes. On the slightly less exciting side are the transformations to the upgrade system. Microsoft Office 2016 will run an automatic update feature, similar to Windows 10, as well as several different branch services, also similar to the new operating system.

Let's explore what that means for your Office 2016 installation.

Office 2016 Update

Since the September 22 launch, Microsoft has likely answered thousands of questions about the new Office update system. One of the most pertinent will be Office 2016's adoption of the somewhat pervasive Windows 10 automatic update system.

Automatic updates in Microsoft Office 2016 explained

The 2016 Office system will use a similar style to Windows 10 update branches Everything you need to know about Windows 10 privacy issues Everything you need to know about Windows 10 privacy issues While Windows 10 has some issues that users should be aware of, many claims have been exaggerated. This is our guide to everything you need to know about privacy issues in Windows 10. Read More The branches are:

  • Current branch (CB): monthly updates, which may include new and/or improved features, security patches, and non-security bug fixes.
  • Current Branch for Business (CBB): features a quarterly update schedule, with the same content as the current branch, released slowly to allow previous issues to be alleviated.

Failure to install CB updates, as with Windows 10, will result in a separation of scheduled security updates leaving consumers vulnerable to attack. CBB works slightly differently:companies will be able to defer an update for four months, but must Collect the next offering or face the same dangerous fate. It's one thing to push home users, but forcing companies to update so Microsoft doesn't expose them to vulnerabilities is another.

Also, there will be no equivalent Long-Term Servicing Bouquet, the Windows 10 branch avoids security patches, except security patches, for long periods of time.

Is it your turn to update?

The combination of Office 365 Business, Office 365 ProPlus, Office 365 Home, Personal, and University An introduction to Office 365:Should you buy the new Office business model? An introduction to Office 365:Should you buy the new Office business model? Office 365 is a subscription-based suite that offers access to the latest Office desktop suite, Office Online, cloud storage, and premium mobile apps. Does Office 365 provide enough value to be worth the money? Read More While Office 2016 has been available since September 22 Upgrade to Office 2016 for free today with your Office 365 subscription Upgrade to Office 2016 for free today with your Office 365 subscription Microsoft Office 2016 for Windows is here and it brings lots of smart new features. If you have an Office 365 subscription, you can get it now for free, and we'll show you how below. Read More I made a very nice table detailing when you should expect your Office 2016 update:

Automatic updates in Microsoft Office 2016 explained

The first release option is available for those users or organizations in the Current Business Branch who want immediate access to the latest versions of Office 2016, new features A Preview of Microsoft Office 2016:Smart and Subtle Changes A Preview of Microsoft Office 2016:Smart &Subtle Changes Office 2016 for Mac has just been released and the Windows version will follow in the fall. We show you the new look and features of the world's most popular productivity suite. Will you update? Read More This means that every person within the organization or company can receive early access to up-to-date programs for testing or just everyday use.

You can also follow these links from Microsoft for more information on the status of your update:

  • How to update Office 365 Home, Personal, or University
  • How to upgrade Office 365 Business and Business Premium
  • How to update Office 365 ProPlus

Access to the first pitch

If your organization is registered in the First Release program, or if you have Office 365 Business, Business Premium, or Small Business Premium, you will be able to download new Office 2016 apps before the scheduled release date. I don't have access to any of these plans, nor to the First Release program, so these details are taken directly from the Office support site. You can read the details here.

  • Open any Office app and select File> Account .
  • Under Product Information, select Update Options>Update Now . This ensures that you have the latest version of Office 2016 before your upgrade.
  • Sign in to Office 365 using this link. The link will make sure you are entering the correct service.
  • Select a Language , the selection Install , then Install Users of the first version should see an option to install at the bottom of the software page. Your new Office apps should download in the background.
  • When finished, you'll see a nice welcome video explaining how to find your new apps.

Remember that this service is only available to those organizations enrolled in the program, and the aforementioned Office 365 plans.

What does it mean to you?

Microsoft is shipping a portion of Office 2016 trials to consumers, such as Windows 10 Windows 10 Upgrade - Free doesn't mean it won't cost anything Windows 10 - Free doesn't mean it won't cost anything There's a problem with the free Windows 10 upgrade. Microsoft understands its audience very well; they are more likely to pay for freedom of control, rather than extra features. Read more . This is not a bad thing; we'll get more updates, more regularly, with new features coming a lot Faster than previous iterations of Office. The Current Branch will effectively serve as the Office's guinea pigs, while the Current Branch for business can watch from the back row until unexpected issues are resolved. Feedback and user experience from Current Branch will guide the overall Office 2016 experience and will be used by Microsoft to fix issues before they become problems.

I think the new system is beneficial for consumers. Updates delivered to Office 2016 are likely to be less intrusive, and receiving them at a more consistent rate should allow for better change planning. We'll know what's coming, and when. And for those at the CBB, you'll be relatively certain that your next update won't be a deal breaker.

Any other notes?

Of course! This version of the product has been difficult to negotiate. Most users will simply update when they receive notifications. Stop downloading and installing Windows 10 on your Windows 7 or 8 device Stop downloading and installing Windows 10 on your Windows 7 or 8 device If your Internet has been slower than usual or you've noticed less disk space, you can probably blame Microsoft. Windows Update may have downloaded the Windows 10 setup files behind your back. For! Read more . Those who signed up for one of the numerous Office 365 plans may, as we mentioned earlier, find it more difficult to understand when their upgrade arrives.

What is certain is the expiration date of the Office 2016 Preview:Fall 2015. Based on when you installed the preview, the software will enter a reduced operating mode in the coming months. This leaves you with two options:upgrade or reinstall a previously licensed version of Office. Or switch to a free alternative Which Office suite is best for you? Which office suite is best for you? You will be pressured to find an occupation that does not require word or number processing of any kind. And you may be wondering, is Microsoft Office really the best solution? Here are your options. Read more.

Do you have an Office 365 subscription and will you be upgrading? Are there any features of Office 2016 that you like? Tell us more in the comments!