How to Update Microsoft PowerPoint (Windows and Mac)

Get the best experience from the software

Keeping software up-to-date ensures access to new features, performance enhancements, and bug fixes. Microsoft PowerPoint is no exception to this, and it’s important to update it regularly to get the most out of the program. This tutorial will show multiple ways to update MS PowerPoint on Windows and macOS operating systems.

Update Microsoft PowerPoint on Windows

By default, MS Office apps like PowerPoint, Word, and Excel update themselves automatically whenever Microsoft pushes out a newer version. However, if automatic updates are disabled, don’t work correctly, or you just want to confirm if PowerPoint’s up-to-date, try the methods below.

If you use the downloadable version of the Office suite from the Microsoft Office website, you can initiate an update from within PowerPoint. To do that:

If you have trouble opening or interacting with PowerPoint, try initiating an update through an alternative Office app like Microsoft Word or Excel. You can do that using the same steps above.

If that also fails, configure Windows Update to update your Office installation.

If Microsoft PowerPoint won’t open and updates fail to install, try performing an online Office repair. Not only does that fix severe issues with your PowerPoint or Office installation, but the procedure also updates the program to its latest version.

Note: An online Office repair can take several hours to complete.

If you’re using the Microsoft Store version of Office, you can update PowerPoint and other Office apps through the Microsoft Store.

Note: If you want the Microsoft Store to auto-update your apps, select your profile icon, chooseSettings, and check the box next toAutomatic Updates.

Update Microsoft PowerPoint on Apple Mac

If you’re a Mac user, Microsoft apps such as PowerPoint, Edge, and OneDrive update themselves through a background utility called Microsoft AutoUpdate. However, if Microsoft AutoUpdate is disabled, fails to work, or you want to figure out if you’re running the latest version of PowerPoint for macOS, you can initiate a manual check for updates with the methods below.

If you’re using the standard downloadable version of Office for Mac from the Microsoft Office website, the quickest way to update PowerPoint is through the application itself.

Feel free to apply pending updates for any other Office apps on your Mac while you’re at it.

If you can’t open Microsoft PowerPoint, access the Microsoft AutoUpdate utility directly to update the program.

/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0

If you downloaded PowerPoint through the Mac App Store, go through the following steps to update the program to its latest version.

If you want the Mac App Store to auto-update PowerPoint, selectApp Store>Settingson the menu bar and check the box next toAutomatic Updates.

Keep Microsoft PowerPoint Up-to-Date

As you just found out, updating Microsoft PowerPoint in Windows and macOS is relatively straightforward, and there are multiple approaches that you can follow to ensure you’re using the program’s latest version. Remember to check for and install new updates regularly to get the best possible experience from Microsoft’s powerful presentation tool.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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