Update & Upgrade Problems

How to Check if Microsoft Word for Windows is Up to Date

Tauseeq Magsi Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to find their currently installed version of Microsoft Word for Windows and check if there are any available software updates.

How to Check if Microsoft Word for Windows is Up to Date

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Verifying the software version and installing new updates to maintain functionality and security.
Observed behavior: The user aims to locate the Account page within Word to view version details and manually trigger the update process.

Before you start

Ensure your computer is connected to a stable internet network before checking for updates, and save any open documents in case the application needs to restart.

Solution 1Recommended

Check Version and Install Updates via the Account Menu

Use the built-in Account settings in Microsoft Word to view your current version details and manually trigger the update checker.

Microsoft Word provides a centralized Account page where you can manage your product license, view the exact version build, and check for updates. The availability of specific features will depend on whether you are using a perpetual license (like Office 2021) or a subscription service (Microsoft 365).

Navigate to the Account Page

Launch Microsoft Word on your Windows computer. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.

View Current Version

Look for the 'Product Information' section on the right side of the screen. Click the 'About Word' button to open a dialog box displaying your current software version and build number.

Run the Update Tool

Return to the Account page, click on the 'Update Options' drop-down button, and select 'Update Now'. Word will automatically connect to Microsoft servers to download and install any pending updates.

Check Version and Install Updates via the Account Menu

Microsoft 365 Release Channels: If you are using Microsoft 365, your update schedule may depend on your selected release channel, such as the Monthly Enterprise Channel, Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, or the Insider program.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Updates with WPS Office

If you want to avoid complicated release channels or subscription fees, WPS Office offers a powerful, lightweight, and completely free alternative to Microsoft Office. It comes with built-in automatic updates to keep you secure, all while providing seamless document compatibility.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your Windows PC.
2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the suite.
3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer to instantly open, edit, and save your existing Word documents with full format compatibility.

Always up to date with automatic, hassle-free background updates.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Lightweight installer that requires significantly less storage and system resources.Includes Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF tools in a single integrated app.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the 'Update Options' button missing in Microsoft Word?

If you do not see the 'Update Options' button under File > Account, your Office installation might be managed by your organization's IT department using volume licensing, or you may have an older version of Office that relies on Windows Update instead of internal application updates.

What is the difference between perpetual and subscription versions of Office?

A perpetual version, such as Office 2021, is a one-time purchase that receives security updates but no new major feature upgrades. The subscription version, Microsoft 365, receives ongoing feature updates, security patches, and cloud service enhancements based on your release channel.

Can I set Microsoft Word to update automatically?

Yes, Microsoft Word is typically configured to update automatically by default. You can verify or enable this setting by going to File > Account > Update Options and ensuring that 'Enable Updates' is selected.

Installation & Activation