Office 2010: Time For An Update

Microsoft Office 2010 Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a recommended update that includes fixes that improve stability, performance, and security, as well as public updates released through May 2013 and cumulative updates through April 2013. It's important to note that support for Office 2010 ended on October 13, 2020, and there will be no further extensions or security updates provided by Microsoft. To stay up to date with the latest features, patches, and security updates, it is recommended to upgrade to a newer version of Office. Upgrading to Microsoft 365 or Office 2021 is suggested, as they offer the latest features, security updates, and improvements.

Update Office or Microsoft 365 on PC

There are several ways to update Office or Microsoft 365 on a PC. The method you choose will depend on your specific version of Office, your operating system, and your personal preferences. Here are some of the most common ways to update Office or Microsoft 365 on a PC:

• Automatic Updates: For most versions of Office, you can enable automatic updates. This will ensure that your Office applications are always up to date with the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes. To enable automatic updates, go to File > Account in any Office app, such as Word or Excel, and make sure the option for "Updates are automatically downloaded and installed" is selected.
• Manual Updates: If you prefer to manually update your Office applications, you can do so by going to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now in any Office app. This will check for available updates and install them if there are any.
• Microsoft Store Updates: If you purchased Office from the Microsoft Store, you can update it by opening the Microsoft Store app, selecting the three dots in the upper right corner, choosing "Downloads and Updates," and clicking "Get Updates."
• Microsoft Update: If you have automatic updating turned on for Windows through Microsoft Update, you will also receive updates for Office. To turn on automatic updates for Windows, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Advanced Options and select the option to receive updates for other Microsoft products.
• Office for Mac Updates: To update Office on a Mac, go to File > Account > Update Options > Update Now in any Office app. You can also set updates to automatically download and install.
• OneDrive Updates: If you're using OneDrive, you can update your Office applications by going to the OneDrive website and signing in with your Microsoft account. Then, click the gear icon in the upper right corner, select "Settings," and choose "Update Microsoft Office."
• Microsoft 365 Admin Updates: If you're an admin managing Microsoft 365 for your organization, you can update Office by going to the Microsoft 365 admin center and selecting "Update now" under "Update channel."

It's important to keep your Office applications up to date to ensure you have the latest features and security patches. Depending on your version of Office and your update settings, you may receive updates monthly, every six months, or only when new major versions are released.

End of Support for Office 2010

It's worth noting that support for Office 2010 ended on October 13, 2020. This means that Microsoft no longer provides technical support, bug fixes, or security updates for Office 2010. If you're still using Office 2010, it's recommended that you upgrade to a newer version to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.

Update Office or Microsoft 365 for Mac

Updating your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 suite on Mac is essential to ensure you have access to the latest features, security fixes, and performance improvements. Here are the steps you need to follow to update your Office or Microsoft 365 on your Mac:

Update Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 through Microsoft AutoUpdate:

• Open any Microsoft Office application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.
• Click on the "Help" menu in the horizontal menu bar at the top of the screen.
• Select "Check for Updates" from the dropdown menu. This will launch the Microsoft AutoUpdate tool.
• If there are any updates available, click the ""Update" button to install them. You can also click the down arrow next to the "Update" button to see the details of each update and choose which ones to install.
• To enable automatic updates, check the box next to ""Automatically keep Microsoft Apps up to date" in the AutoUpdate dialog box. This will ensure your apps always have the latest security fixes and improvements.
• If you want to get early access to new updates, click the ""Advanced..." button and select either ""Current Channel (Preview)" or "Beta Channel" to receive preview builds and early releases.

Update Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 through the Mac App Store:

• Open the Mac App Store from your Dock or Finder.
• Click "Updates" on the left side menu.
• Click "Update All" or the "Update" button next to the individual apps you want to update.

Note: If you downloaded Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 apps from the Mac App Store, ensure you have automatic updates turned on for your apps to update automatically.

Update Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 through Manual Download:

• Visit the Microsoft website to download the latest updates or patches for your specific version of Office or Microsoft 365.
• Follow the installation instructions provided by Microsoft for your downloaded update.

It is recommended to keep your Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 suite up to date to ensure compatibility, security, and access to the latest features. Additionally, make sure your macOS is up to date as Microsoft only supports the three most recent major versions of macOS for its Office and Microsoft 365 products.

Install Microsoft 365 or Office

Microsoft 365 for home

If you have a home product that came with a product key, you need to redeem your product key before installing Microsoft 365 for the first time. Go to office.com/setup and sign in with an existing or new Microsoft account. Then, enter your product key to redeem it.

Microsoft 365 for business

If your business subscription plan includes the desktop version of the Microsoft 365 apps, you won't see an option to install it unless someone in your organisation assigns a license to you.

Install Microsoft 365

To install Microsoft 365 on your PC, go to Office.com, log in to your account, and buy a Microsoft 365 subscription. Then, select 'Install Office'. Download and run the .exe file, and follow the on-screen directions to install Office on your PC.

To install Microsoft 365 on a Mac, go to Office.com and sign in. Then, select 'Install Office' and begin the download. When the download is complete, go to Finder > Downloads and double-click the installation file. Follow the setup prompts and enter your Mac username and password if prompted.

Install Office

To install Office on a PC, go to https://portal.office.com and sign in. From the Office 365 home page, select 'Install Office Apps' and then select Office 365 apps to begin the installation.

To install Office on a Mac, open the downloaded file in Finder > Downloads and double-click the Microsoft Office installer.pkg file. On the first installation screen, select 'Continue' to begin the installation process. Review the software license agreement and then click 'Continue'. Select 'Agree' to agree to the terms of the software license agreement. Choose how you want to install Office and click 'Continue'. Review the disk space requirements or change your install location, and then click 'Install'.

Activate Microsoft 365 or Office

To activate Microsoft 365 or Office, open one of the apps, such as Word, and enter your Microsoft email address and password. On the 'Accept the license agreement' screen, select 'Accept'. The app will then open, and you'll be ready to use Microsoft 365 or Office.

End of support for Office 2010

Microsoft ended support for Office 2010 on October 13, 2020. This means that Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, bug fixes, or security updates for Office 2010 vulnerabilities. While the Office 2010 apps will continue to work, using them may expose you to security risks.

After the end of support, you will no longer receive Office 2010 software updates from Microsoft Update, nor will you receive phone or chat technical support. No further updates to support content will be provided, and most online help content will be retired. You will also no longer be able to download Office 2010 from the Microsoft website.

The end of support for Office 2010 means that Microsoft will no longer provide:

• Technical support for issues
• Bug fixes for issues that are discovered
• Security fixes for vulnerabilities that are discovered

Because of these changes, it is recommended that you upgrade to a supported version of Office as soon as possible. You can either install Microsoft 365 or upgrade to the latest version of Office.

If you are using Office 2010 at home, you can continue to use it, but it is recommended that you upgrade to a newer version of Office to stay up to date with the latest features, patches, and security updates. If your version of Office 2010 is managed by your work or school, contact your IT Help Desk about how to upgrade.

Activate Office or Microsoft 365

Microsoft Office 2010 Activation

If you have a legal copy of Office 2010, you can activate it by following these steps:

• Launch any Microsoft Office 2010 application on your computer.
• Click on "File" and select "Help".
• Click on "Activate Product Key". The Activation Wizard will appear on the screen.
• Follow the steps in the Activation Wizard. You may be asked to enter the product key, your name, and contact information. The product key is a 25-character code that may be printed on the receipt or packaging.
• If you don't have the product key, you must contact the seller to obtain it.

Microsoft Office 365 Activation

Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based service that includes all Office apps and additional cloud storage and collaboration tools. Here are the steps to activate Microsoft 365:

• Sign in to your Microsoft account at https://setup.office.com.
• Enter your product key and download the apps.
• Open any Office application.
• Click "Get Started" and sign in to your Microsoft account.

Activating Microsoft Office without a Product Key

It is possible to activate Microsoft Office without a product key, but it may violate Microsoft's terms and security policies. Here are some alternative methods:

• KMS (Key Management Service) activation: This method requires a KMS server, which may not be available to personal users.
• Activator tools: These tools bypass the need for a product key, but they may not be legal.
• Free trial: Microsoft offers a free trial of Office 365, allowing users to access all features for a limited time without a product key.
• Student access: Students can access free MS Office by using their college email ID.
• Developer access: Microsoft provides free access to Office for developers. You can sign up for a developer account and use Office for free.
• Chrome extensions: You can install the Microsoft 365 Chrome extensions and use all Office features directly in your web browser.
• Mobile app: Microsoft Office is available for free on Android and iOS devices, offering basic versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Frequently asked questions