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Even though Microsoft Outlook is a mature product, there is a constant stream of Outlook updates being published. This is excellent news since it means that Microsoft is actively supporting Outlook by fixing bugs and updating your protection against spam (junk email). Unfortunately, to get the full benefit, you have to be conscientious about installing each update when it comes out.

While Microsoft has tried to make this process easy and smooth, it still isn’t intuitive or without quirks. Conceptually, the process is easy. You tell Outlook to check for updates, then download and install any of the available updates that you want. Right here is one place where people get confused.

There may be updates you don’t want to install. One example would be updates for languages you don’t speak. It’s tempting to not install those. However, the simplest approach is to just install every update that comes along. It simplifies your life by saving you from having to evaluate each update that comes along and decide whether you want it or not.

My suggestion is that you check for updates every week. Patches normally come out only once a month, but if there is an emergency release, you won’t want to be without it for long. It only takes a moment to do if there aren’t updates available. If there are updates available, you want to get them installed as soon as possible. Setting up a recurring task to remind you to check is the best way to do this.

NOTE: Some companies have a policy about doing software updates that conflicts with this advice. If yours does, you should always follow company guidelines instead of general suggestions like these.

While incorporating ongoing Microsoft Outlook updates may seem like a distraction from getting actual work done, over time you will be rewarded with a better-running copy of Outlook and less junk mail than you would otherwise have to deal with. The reduced amount of junk mail (from improved junk mail filters that Microsoft sends as part of updates) alone makes keeping Outlook updated a net time saver.

Here’s an outline of the steps you need to follow to check for and install Outlook updates:

1. Go to the Microsoft Office Downloads home page.
2. Find and click the link that lets Microsoft scan your computer to figure out what updates you need.
3. Select the updates you want to install and download them.
4. Install the updates.

To get more detailed instructions on updating Microsoft Outlook, go to:

http://www.living-with-outlook.com/microsoft-outlook-updates.html