Every time I try to upgrade I get a screen that says I have to quit SyncServices Agent

Anonymous
2011-01-18T06:01:10+00:00

Every time I try to upgrade I get a screen that says I have to quit SyncServices Agent but there is no way to open or close that application. And there's no way to stop the annoying screen from flashing in front of everything else I try to do after I abandon the upgrade. What is sync Services agent and can I just put it in the trash so I can upgrade or is there a way to bypass it and/or at least quit it?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Other

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Anonymous
2011-06-28T16:56:02+00:00

Many of the provided answers do not address the fact that SyncServicesAgent starts itself right up again after quitting it in the Activity Monitor.

I've no clue how to use terminal... and seriously don't want to restart the computer for this.

Here's the very-low-techie solution I found:

(1) Open Finder/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office

(2) Drag SyncServicesAgent.app to the desktop (this keeps it from restarting!)

(3) THEN open Finder/Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor.app

(4) Find SyncServicesAgent in the list and quit it.

(5) Click the Continue button on the installer pop-up.

(6) When the application finishes installing, drag SyncServicesAgent.app back to Finder/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office

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Anonymous
2013-09-19T22:00:30+00:00

Install Basics

Not only should Safari be quit but all browsers and hidden Microsoft processes like the Microsoft Database daemon and SyncServicesAgent.

Use the Microsoft Autoupdater (MAU) to update Office 2011

  • Open any Office application and select "Check for Updates" under Help in the Menu bar. Once MAU is launched, select "Keep in Dock". You can remove after completing upgrades.
  • Log out/in as described below.
  • Select the MAU in the Dock and download the updater.
  • After it downloads, quit the MAU then install. Leave in Dock until there are no more updaters.
  • RESTART
  • Repeat until there are no more updaters.
  • Log out under the Apple in the Menu bar
  • Log in and hold down the Shift key (this disables all startup items including the hidden ones like Sync Services)

Note for the MAU and MERP updaters you do NOT have to restart after updating. These are found in the root Library:

 /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/

Why Restart?

The Restart after updater will force a file that stores the version info to update. This should happen automatically but sometimes it doesn't. The next updater will fail and you will have to re-install Office. The restart is a quick step that will save time in the long term.

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Anonymous
2011-12-05T13:44:37+00:00

Hello All,

PLEASE READ THIS ANSWER.  Here is the PROPER way to do this:

  1. Begin the update for Microsoft Office 2011
  2. Open "Activity Monitor" (Go --> Utilities, or search in Spotlight)
  3. Find "SyncServicesAgent" and highlight, and "Quit Process" with the stop-sign.
  4. Quickly press "Continue" or "Retry" on the updater / installer before the process begins itself again.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2482074

This does not require one to open terminal, or mess up any other configuration of your computer.

Thank you for your time.

-- Morris

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-03-03T01:26:10+00:00

    I always like to go for the easiest option first.

    1.  If Logging out/in does not stop the dreaded Sync ServicesAgent, then you can try this option:
    2.  Open the Terminal in Applications/Utilities. Run the following command:

    launchctl load Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.LaunchAgent.SyncServicesAgent.plist

    1.  Restart in Safe boot mode.

    Safe boot

    *  shutdown

    *  start the Mac and *wait* for the startup chime to sound

    *  after the sound, press and hold down the shift key

    *  keep holding and *wait* until the grey  Apple logo appears

    *  now release the shift key and just wait (it could take a few minutes)

    *  eventually the login screen appears with the words SAFE BOOT

    *  continue to login

    *  run Microsoft updater

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-03-03T14:53:40+00:00

    I would suggest if Dianne's method does work for you use it. I am for doing things the easiet way possible if it works. Most likely in a Majority of cases  Dianne's method will work just fine. But if you have tried other measures and they seem to fail try the method I suggested.

    All of here be  them fellow users , super users, MVP, or NERDS. All have one thing in common although we may give vastly different information we are trying to get the User asking up and running.  Our combined goal. We all have different life experiences. 

    And I hope I don't come across as confrontational. Because it is not my intent. 

    _________

    Disclaimer:

    The opinions, replies & answers are solely mine and mine alone, and do not reflect upon my position as a Community Moderator.

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