How to Fix Microsoft AutoUpdate Required Data Notice on Mac
Question details
A recurring 'Required Data Notice' from Microsoft AutoUpdate interrupts user workflows on Mac, even when Office apps are fully updated.
- Product
- Microsoft AutoUpdate
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Using Microsoft Office applications or waking the Mac from sleep.
- Observed behavior
- The Required Data Notice repeatedly pops up and interrupts typing and work, persisting even after disabling automatic updates.
Make sure to save all your work and completely quit all running Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, before attempting to reinstall the update tool.
Remove and Reinstall Microsoft AutoUpdate
Manually deleting the buggy AutoUpdate application and installing a fresh version from Microsoft's official site is the most effective way to stop the persistent notice.
Sometimes the Microsoft AutoUpdate background service becomes corrupted, causing it to misread your update status or fail to register that you have acknowledged the data notice. Completely removing the tool ensures that the corrupted preferences are cleared.
Open Finder on your Mac. Press Command + Shift + G on your keyboard to open the 'Go to Folder' window.
Type '/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/' into the search box and press Enter.
Look for the folder named 'MAU2.0' or the 'Microsoft AutoUpdate' application. Right-click it and select 'Move to Trash'. Empty your Trash.
Visit the official Microsoft Office release-history page in your browser and download the latest Microsoft AutoUpdate installer package.
Double-click the downloaded .pkg file and follow the on-screen instructions to fresh install the AutoUpdate tool.
Trigger an Update via Office Help Menu
Forcing the update check from within an Office application can sometimes refresh the AutoUpdate service and clear the repetitive notice loop.
Switch to WPS Office to Avoid AutoUpdate Interruptions
If persistent Microsoft background services and repetitive update notices are disrupting your workflow on macOS, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, all-in-one suite that provides a distraction-free environment while keeping all your documents perfectly formatted.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the macOS version.
- 2. Install the Application: Open the downloaded file and drag the WPS Office icon to your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Files Seamlessly: Launch WPS Office and open your existing Microsoft Word, Excel, or PowerPoint files without losing any formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Required Data Notice keep appearing even after I click OK?
This issue is usually caused by a glitch in the Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) tool or corrupted preference files on your macOS. The system fails to register your consent, causing the prompt to trigger repeatedly, often after waking the Mac from sleep.
Can I permanently disable Microsoft AutoUpdate on my Mac?
You can turn off automatic downloads within the AutoUpdate preferences by unchecking 'Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date'. However, deleting the app entirely is not recommended unless you are reinstalling it, as it will prevent your Office apps from receiving critical security updates.
Will deleting the MAU2.0 folder affect my Word or Excel files?
No. The MAU2.0 folder only contains the Microsoft AutoUpdate utility. Deleting it will not delete your documents, spreadsheets, or the main Office applications. It only removes the software responsible for checking for updates.
