Forum Discussion

Len_Levin1095's avatar
Len_Levin1095
Copper Contributor
Sep 09, 2025

Disabling Microsoft AutoUpdate

I have a customer with a Mac mini M4 with multiple user accounts.

Each user has access to Office 365 apps, Outlook, Word, Excel.

I have disabled Automatic Updates in the AutoUpdate app.  This has not stopped app from showing updates are available.  I want the update app to not open when updates are available.

My question is what can I do to stop there update app from opening but still have it available for manual checking and updating.

Thanks

 

Len Levin

BSC

mac
microsoft 365

1 Reply

Sort By
  • Kidd_Ip's avatar
    Kidd_Ip
    MVP
    Sep 10, 2025

    Take this to prevent Microsoft AutoUpdate from Launching Automatically

    These commands will stop MAU from launching on its own, but still allow users to manually check for updates via Help > Check for Updates in Office apps.

    1. Disable the Launch Agent

    This prevents MAU from starting at login or periodically in the background:

    sudo defaults write /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist Disabled -bool YES
sudo defaults write /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist RunAtLoad -bool NO

    If the above doesn’t work due to plist structure, use PlistBuddy:

    sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set Disabled YES" /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist
sudo /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set RunAtLoad NO" /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist

     

    1. Suppress Background Launch When Opening Office Apps

    This prevents MAU from launching when a user opens Word, Excel, etc.:

    defaults write com.microsoft.autoupdate2 StartDaemonOnAppLaunch -bool FALSE

     

    1.  Disable Feedback and Telemetry

    Just in case you want to reduce background chatter:

    defaults write com.microsoft.autoupdate2 MAUFeedbackEnabled -bool FALSE
defaults write com.microsoft.autoupdate2 SendAllTelemetryEnabled -bool FALSE

     

Resources