What is Microsoft AutoUpdate on Mac?
By Junaid, maker of Taskglass · Last reviewed
Keeps Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and Edge up to date.
Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) checks for and installs updates for Microsoft apps on your Mac. Microsoft Update Assistant is the background part that does the work. It runs periodically even when Office apps are closed. Keeping it working ensures you get Microsoft's security fixes.
- Category
- Third-party
- Made by
- Microsoft
- Safe to quit:
- Yes
Shown in Activity Monitor as Microsoft AutoUpdate, Microsoft Update Assistant, com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper
Why is Microsoft AutoUpdate using so much CPU or memory?
- Downloading or installing updates
- An update that keeps failing and retrying
What to do
- 1Let updates finish
- 2Open Microsoft AutoUpdate (Help > Check for Updates in any Office app) to see status
- 3Restart your Mac if an update seems stuck
Safe to quit? Yes.
Safe to quit; it runs again at its next scheduled check.
Related processes
Part of the Taskglass Process Library