How to Update Outlook on Windows and Mac

An out-of-date Outlook is behind a surprising number of headaches: features from tutorials that don't appear, odd crashes, add-ins that refuse to load and sync problems that come and go. Updating takes a couple of minutes and fixes more than you'd expect. Here's how to do it on Windows and Mac, and what it means when the update button isn't there.

Update classic Outlook on Windows

1. Open Outlook.
2. Select File, then Office Account.
3. In the Product Information section, select Update Options.
4. Choose Update Now.
5. Wait for the check to finish, then close the window that says you're up to date or that updates were installed.

Because Outlook is part of Microsoft 365 or Office, this updates all your Office apps at once, so Word and Excel get the same fixes. You can start from any of them: Microsoft's instructions use File, then Account in apps like Word.

Don't see Update Now?

Microsoft says you may need to click Enable Updates first if Update Now doesn't appear straight away. That usually means updates were switched off at some point, perhaps by an old setting or a previous IT tweak. Turn them back on, then choose Update Now.

No Update Options button at all

Here's the insight that saves a lot of fruitless clicking. If there's only an About button and no Update Options, Microsoft says you either have a volume licence install, or your company uses Group Policy to manage Office updates. In plain English, someone else controls your updates. Try Microsoft Update through Windows, or ask your IT help desk.

Update options at a glance

Option	What it does
Update Now	Checks for and installs the latest updates
Enable Updates	Turns automatic updates back on
Disable Updates	Stops automatic updates (not recommended)
View Updates	Shows what's been installed recently

What about new Outlook?

New Outlook for Windows updates itself in the background, much like a modern app, so there's usually nothing to click. If something looks out of date, restart the app and make sure Windows itself is up to date. Outlook on the web is always the latest version because it runs in your browser.

Update Outlook on a Mac

On a Mac, open Outlook and choose Help, then Check for Updates. Microsoft's AutoUpdate tool opens and installs what's available. Microsoft points Mac users to its separate guide on checking for Office for Mac updates automatically, and turning on automatic updates there is the easiest way to stay current.

Update the Outlook app on your phone

On Android or iPhone, Outlook updates through the Google Play Store or the App Store like any other app. If your phone has automatic app updates turned on, you're already covered.

When the update fails

• Check your connection. Microsoft's first suggestion is to make sure your PC is connected to the internet.
• Close Office apps and try again, since open apps can block an update.
• Restart your computer, then run Update Now once more.
• Repair Office if you can't open any Office apps at all, which Microsoft recommends in that situation.

How to tell which version you have

Before you update, it helps to know what you're running. In classic Outlook, File, Office Account shows the product name and version under Product Information, next to the update button. If your Outlook has a toggle at the top right labelled New Outlook, you're in classic Outlook with the option to switch. If the ribbon looks simpler and there's no File menu in the usual place, you're probably already in new Outlook, which keeps itself current without you lifting a finger.

Should you switch to new Outlook while you're at it?

Microsoft is moving people towards new Outlook, and it's worth trying because it updates itself. That said, some older add-ins and features in classic Outlook don't exist there yet, so if your business relies on a particular add-in, test new Outlook before you switch the whole team. You can usually toggle back if something's missing.

Why you should keep updates on

It's tempting to switch updates off to avoid change, but updates carry security fixes as well as new features. Email is one of the main ways scams get into a business, so an up-to-date Outlook is part of keeping your inbox safe. I'd leave automatic updates on and run Update Now whenever a tutorial mentions a button you can't find.

If you're shopping for a new laptop that will run Outlook and the rest of Office smoothly, my explainer on Copilot+ PCs covers the newest machines. And if you're updating because email has become a chore, this piece on AI notetakers looks at another tool that promises to save time in your inbox.

My verdict

File, Office Account, Update Options, Update Now. Click Enable Updates first if you need to, and if there's no Update Options button, your updates are managed by IT or a volume licence. New Outlook and Outlook on the web update themselves, and Mac users use Help, Check for Updates.

Frequently asked questions

How do I update Outlook on Windows?

Go to File, Office Account, then Update Options and Update Now.

Why is there no Update Options button in Outlook?

Microsoft says that means you have a volume licence install or your company manages updates through Group Policy.

Does updating Outlook update Word and Excel too?

Yes. Updating through Office Account updates your Microsoft 365 or Office apps together.

How do I update Outlook on a Mac?

Open Outlook and choose Help, then Check for Updates.

Does new Outlook need manual updates?

New Outlook usually updates itself in the background. Restart it if something looks out of date.