Update & Upgrade Problems

How to Exclude One App from Microsoft AutoUpdate on Mac

John Wilson Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop Microsoft AutoUpdate from updating a specific application while allowing other Microsoft apps on the Mac to continue receiving updates.

How to Exclude One App from Microsoft AutoUpdate on Mac

Product: Microsoft AutoUpdate
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Attempting to restrict automatic updates for one specific Microsoft application, such as Microsoft Remote Desktop or a single Office app.
Observed behavior: Microsoft AutoUpdate does not provide a supported toggle or setting to exclude individual applications from its global automatic update cycle.

Before you start

Verify if your Mac is managed by a company or school administrator, as device management policies can override your personal Microsoft AutoUpdate preferences.

Solution 1Recommended

Switch to Manual Updates in Microsoft AutoUpdate

Since granular app exclusion isn't natively supported, switching to manual updates allows you to handpick which apps to update while ignoring the one you want to exclude.

Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) updates all registered applications at once by default. To prevent a specific app from updating, you must disable automatic downloads and manually initiate updates only for the apps you want to upgrade.

Open Microsoft AutoUpdate

Launch any Microsoft Office application (like Word or Excel), click on 'Help' in the top Mac menu bar, and select 'Check for Updates' to open Microsoft AutoUpdate.

Disable Automatic Updates

Uncheck the box that says 'Automatically keep Microsoft apps up to date'. This prevents AutoUpdate from downloading and installing updates in the background without your permission.

Manually Update Desired Apps

When updates are available, click the drop-down arrow next to the 'Update All' button to view the list of pending app updates. Click the individual 'Update' button strictly next to the apps you wish to update, leaving your excluded app untouched.

Switch to Manual Updates in Microsoft AutoUpdate

Update Reminders: By switching to manual mode, you will need to periodically check for updates yourself to ensure your other applications remain secure and up to date.

Solution 2

Check for App-Specific Update Controls

Certain Microsoft applications may have their own independent update settings that can be toggled off.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Mac Experience

Tired of dealing with aggressive background update tools on your Mac? WPS Office offers a lightweight, all-in-one alternative that gives you full control over your software without the intrusive auto-update interruptions. Enjoy seamless compatibility with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files in one unified workspace.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the Mac version.
2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded installer and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents without any formatting loss.

Lightweight, unified app design saves Mac storage spaceFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)No intrusive background auto-update tools consuming system resourcesFree to download and use with a highly familiar user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a Terminal command to exclude one app from Microsoft AutoUpdate?

No, Microsoft AutoUpdate does not currently support granular app exclusion via Terminal commands or plist modifications. It manages updates globally for all registered Microsoft products on the system.

Can I uninstall Microsoft AutoUpdate entirely to stop all updates?

Yes, you can remove it by deleting the Microsoft AutoUpdate application from the /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/ directory. However, this is not recommended as it will prevent your apps from receiving critical security patches and feature updates.

How do I update just one Microsoft Office app manually?

Open any Office application, go to Help > Check for Updates. Ensure automatic updates are turned off, expand the list of available updates, and click the 'Update' button exclusively next to the single app you want to upgrade.

Installation & Activation