Force M365 Apps to Update

Why would you use the Force M365 Apps to Update Worklet?

This PowerShell Worklet is designed to grant an admin the ability to force an existing installation of Microsoft 365 Apps (Office) to update to the latest build of its channel, either defined by existing policy\update keys or by using the fallback $channel variable. Regularly installing Office app updates ensures that your Windows devices have the latest features, security patches, and improvements in your Office applications, leading to a better security, compatibility, and performance.

How the Force M365 Apps to Update Worklet works

First, you’ll need to upload the most recent Office Deployment Tool (Setup.exe) when creating this Worklet policy. The ODT can be found at https://aka.ms/ODT

NOTE: While this Worklet can change the channel of an existing installation, it should not be used as a replacement for a functioning channel management policy.

Usage: This evaluation script uses two variables to define a channel to fall back to if policy keys are not defined, and to force the use of the fallback channel regardless of the version or channel that is currently installed.

$channel: This is the channel to be used as a fallback when GPO/Policy keys, and manual UpdateURL keys, are not present on a device. 

The following channel names will be accepted:

Current

Provides users with new Office features as soon as they are ready but on no set schedule.

FirstReleaseCurrent 

A preview release of Current channel.

MonthlyEnterprise

Provides users with new Office features only once a month and on a predictable schedule.

Deferred

For select devices in your organization, where extensive testing is needed before deploying new Office features.

FirstReleaseDeferred

A preview release of the Deferred channel.

InsiderFast

Beta release channel. Frequent updates. Stable builds are sent to FirstReleaseCurrent.

$forcefallback

Determines if the $channel should be enforced by default or rely on versioning information.

True

By setting this to true, all versioning checks will be ignored and the installation will only verify if the device is currently on the channel defined by $channel.

False

This is the default setting and will download the latest version from the associated channels CDN to verify against the installed version. If no policy keys are defined on the device, the $channel will be used.

What is M365? 

M365, short for Microsoft 365, is a comprehensive productivity suite offered by Microsoft. It combines various cloud-based services and software applications to enhance productivity and collaboration for both individuals and organizations. M365 provides a range of features and tools that encompass different aspects of work, including communication, collaboration, content creation, and data management.

When it comes to M365, users have access to all the Office apps, which include popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. These applications allow users to create, edit, and manage documents, spreadsheets, presentations, emails, and notes respectively. 

Additionally, M365 offers a host of other productivity tools and services, such as Teams for collaboration and communication, SharePoint for content management, and OneDrive for cloud storage.

What are the benefits when you force M365 applications to update?

Regularly updating Office 365 apps ensures that you have the latest security patches and fixes. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and vulnerabilities in older versions of software can be exploited by hackers. By keeping your Office apps up to date, you can protect your system and data from potential security breaches.

Updates often include bug fixes that address issues and improve the stability and performance of the office apps. They may also introduce new features, enhancements, and improvements to the user experience. By updating regularly, you can take advantage of these updates and benefit from a more reliable and efficient application.

As Microsoft releases new versions of its Office apps, compatibility between different versions becomes a concern. By ensuring that all users have the latest updates installed, you can avoid compatibility issues when sharing files or collaborating with colleagues or clients who may be using different versions of the software.

In some industries or organizations, compliance with specific regulations and standards is necessary. Regular updates to office apps help ensure compliance with these requirements by incorporating the latest security measures and addressing any vulnerabilities that may be exploited.

What are the types of Microsoft Office updates?

Microsoft Office updates can be categorized into several types, including:

Security Updates

These updates focus on addressing security vulnerabilities and fixing potential exploits in the Office applications. They are crucial for protecting your system and data from cyber threats.

Bug Fixes

Bug fix updates address software issues and glitches that may affect the performance, stability, or functionality of the Office applications. They aim to resolve known bugs and improve the user experience.

Feature Updates

Feature updates introduce new functionalities, enhancements, and improvements to the Office applications. They can include new tools, options, or capabilities that enhance productivity or provide additional features for users.

Compatibility Updates

Compatibility updates ensure that Office applications work smoothly with other software, operating systems, and file formats. These updates may be necessary when new versions of operating systems or other software components are released.

Performance Updates

Performance updates focus on optimizing the speed, efficiency, and responsiveness of the Office applications. They may include performance enhancements or optimizations to streamline resource usage and improve overall performance.

Stability Updates

Stability updates address issues related to crashes, freezes, or other stability problems in the Office applications. These updates aim to provide a more reliable and robust user experience by fixing stability-related issues.

Language Updates

Language updates add support for additional languages or improve language-related features in the Office applications. They can include new language packs, proofing tools, or improvements in language-specific functionalities.