Mac Office 2011 Update 14.2.4: "Error encountered installation failed".

Anonymous
2012-09-20T03:41:05+00:00

I have tried installing the latest update of Mac Office 2011 which is version 14.2.4, however, at the end of the installation I get a message "error encountered installation failed".

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Anonymous
2012-09-27T23:51:01+00:00

Hi everyone!

Thanks to everyone who sent installation logs for this issue.  There are two separate 14.2.4 installation issues that have shown up in this thread.

The first issue (and most common in this thread) stems from re-installing on top of existing installations. In general, don’t do this. Re-installing on top of existing installations can re-introduce files that should not be present. If you need to re-install, please be sure to remove Office 2011 as described on the following links:

Video | Uninstall Office 2011

Step-by-Step Instructions | How to completely remove Office for Mac 2011

One workaround for the 14.2.4 update that has helped some users is to temporarily move or rename the /Library/Automator folder. You can do this by following the steps below:

  1. With Finderopen, choose Go > Go to Folder...
  2. Type in the following path and then click Go:

/Library 3. Find the Automator folder, select it, and then click the name of the folder again to Rename the folder. Name the folder Automator_OldNote: OS X may prompt you for your password. This is normal. 4. Attempt to install the 14.2.4 update again. 5. If the update installs correctly, rename the Automator_Old folder back to its original name: Automator

If that solution does not work and you know you have re-installed Office 2011 on top of an existing Office 2011 installation, you’ll need to remove Office 2011 properly and re-install. 

The second issue was some users changed the size of the /tmp/ directory on their machine which was too small for the update to fully install. Re-sizing the /tmp/ directory resolved the install issue for these users.

If you're still experiencing issues installing the 14.2.4 update, please create your own thread by choosing **Ask a question...**at the top of this page. Be sure to include details about which solutions you've already tried.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-09-21T19:27:17+00:00

    Same problem,

    • 10.4.2
    • iMac, 27 inch, mid 2011
    • no file vault
    • Apps open but menus all messed up
    • Version 14.2.4 (120616)
    • Latest Installed UpdateL 14.2.3

    Please help

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-09-21T15:48:20+00:00

    Same problem here - update runs all the way through then provides the failure message.  Not only that, but now my toolbar icons are all wrong.  Cut and copy use the save icon; undo and redo use the cut icon, save uses the image icon, etc.  What a mess.

    How can I undo this terrible update?

    I have had the same experience - I have:

    Version 14.2.4 (120616)

    Latest Installed Update 14.2.3

    Got right to the end of the install and then failed. Toolbar is now a mess.

    Regards,

    Rob

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-21T14:34:30+00:00

    Same problem here - update runs all the way through then provides the failure message.  Not only that, but now my toolbar icons are all wrong.  Cut and copy use the save icon; undo and redo use the cut icon, save uses the image icon, etc.  What a mess.

    How can I undo this terrible update?

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-09-20T21:35:35+00:00
    1. 10.8.2
    2. Macbook Pro Retina, Mid 2012
    3. No
    4. Yes
    5. Word - Version: 14.2.4 (120616), Latest Installed Update: 14.2.3

    Excel - Version 14.2.3 (120616), Latest Installed Update: 14.2.3

    Powerpoint - Version 14.2.3 (120616), Latest Installed Update: 14.2.3

    Outlook - Version 14.2.3 (120616), Latest Installed Update: 14.2.3

    1. install still failed

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