Mac Office 2011 Latest Update won't install on OSX 10.8.5

Anonymous
2013-10-11T22:35:00+00:00

I just ran the update program for Word for 2011, version 14.3.8 and when it gets to the part to select which drive

to install it to, there is a yellow exclamation mark on my main iMac Hard Drive where Office 2011 for Mac IS installed.

I get an error message stating that "This software requires OS X 10.5.8 or later."

My iMac IS running OS X 10.8.5.

I also tried downloading the installer and running it that way, same error.  Can't install latest update with security fixes.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-20T18:57:38+00:00

    My 'mach_kernel' is visible and I had no problems updating Microsoft Office. Just because it's visible does not cause the problem. This suggests other issues with the update. As users have reported here re-installing Mountain Lion fixed the problem for them.

    OS X 10.9 (Mavericks) is due out this week hopefully up-graders will see this problems resolved by the new OS X.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-20T14:32:40+00:00

    As SanLewy replied on October 18, it is most probably a "mac_kernel" problem in combination with  "strange behaviour" of some users.

    Cf. my post on October 20.

    Eric De Vos

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-20T12:59:22+00:00

    The answer is in some cases very simple.

    Since the last OS X 10.8.5 update the file "mach_kernel" is visible at root level on your hard disk

    Believe it or not, some users trash it ?!

    Solution in that event:

    Simply copy that file (I suppose from a machine running the same updated version of OS X)

    Restart.

    Your Microsoft update will work (and other ones as well).

    Why do I write this?

    My sun and I use identical late 2012 Fusion iMacs. Both of us had run the last OS X 10.8.5 update a few days ago.

    He trashed "mach_kernel" distrusting that suddenly appeared file.

    The Microsoft Update problem was solved when he copied my file. Simply with a usb-stick. & Restart.

    Sincerely.

    PS:

    I now tried the Microsoft update on a mid 2012 MacBook Pro 15" (Retina, SSD) and on a mid 2010 Mac Book Pro 17" both displaying the "mach_kernel" file after an OS X 10.8.5 update.

    No problem at all.

    This supports my guess that people tamper with the file "mach_kerel".

    Eric DV

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-20T05:54:45+00:00

    This is a 'mach_kernel' problem.  One version of the recent OS X 10.8.5 update left this file as visible on the MacHD volume (it should have been hidden).  Refer to the discussions on the Apple Support Communities site to resolve the problem.

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  5. Anonymous
    2013-10-19T15:50:57+00:00

    Done As i was having the same issue:

    "office 2011 14.3.8 Update can't be installed on the disk the software requires MAC OS X 10.5.8 or later"

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