Auto Update for the Security Cerficate Update

Question

Auto Update for the Security Cerficate Update

Noneof YourBus 20

I have Excel 2021 and Word 2021 for MacOS. NOT subscription. Autoupdate, (the latest version of Autoupdate), for Excel says Microsoft Excel 16.110, current version 16.91 installed July 3, 2026. How can my current version be later the the update version? Should I update?
For Word it says Microsoft Word 16.78, current version 16.76. That makes sense. BUT, I thought the minimum app version for the security certificate update is 16.83. So I'm confused.
Please help!
I don't know how to proceed.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Ivan B 124.1K Independent Advisor

Hi,

You don't need to worry; if you have the lifetime version, you won't be affected. Some users received an alert, but as long as you meet the minimum requirements, you won't be affected.

Based on the information provided, your Mac will not be affected; the minimum requirement for using Office 365 is macOS Monterey (version 12), as described here.

User's image

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/update-microsoft-365-or-office-on-your-macos-or-ios-device-f418ae5d-bb5f-4078-b3d9-9340f5dd084e

If you are on version 16.91, you can rest assured.

Do you need help with anything else?

Thanks.

Noneof YourBus 20 Reputation points

2026-07-04T08:58:45.5633333+00:00

Thanks for your answer. I agree that I am okay on the Excel side. But for Word, are you saying that the OS on its own is enough of an upgrade, regardless of my version of Word (which is only version 16.76? In that case what des Minimum App version refer to? The table implies I need 16.83, and Autoupdate does not even offer that?
On the Excel side, why does Autoupdate seem to want to downgrade me from 16.91 to 16.11?
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Noneof YourBus 20 Reputation points

2026-07-04T09:04:14.16+00:00

Sorry this got sent twice:
Thanks for your answer. I agree that I am okay on the Excel side. But for Word, are you saying that the OS on its own is enough of an upgrade, regardless of my version of Word (which is only version 16.76? In that case what des Minimum App version refer to? The table implies I need 16.83, and Autoupdate does not even offer that? On the Excel side, why does Autoupdate seem to want to downgrade me from 16.91 to 16.11? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME
Ivan B 124.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-04T14:50:56.8833333+00:00

Hi,

I understand. I apologize; since you have Office 2021, you should be on version 16.89.

If you have Word 2021, you can update to version 16.83 or later using the link below:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/update-history-office-for-mac

Look for the version that matches the macOS you are using; if you are on Monterey, you can download version 16.89.2.

Download the packages for the Excel and Word versions you own and update them.

I recommend updating to ensure security.

I apologize for not realizing that your Word version was 16.76.

Thanks
Noneof YourBus 20 Reputation points

2026-07-04T16:53:53.17+00:00

No need to apologize! But I am still confused. The latest version of Word referred to on that page is 16.11, not 16.83. And as mentioned, I am already on 16.76 My Mac OS is Sonoma 14.6.1 THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME
Ivan B 124.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-04T16:59:04.35+00:00

Hi,

Because you're using the annual Office version, specifically Office 2021 (base version 16.66), you're likely stuck on the base version of the software. However, since you're on the Sonoma version, you can update to 16.101, which is Office 2021/2024 (Word and Excel).

I believe Microsoft Update might be stuck on base versions.

You can try updating manually to the version I mentioned to avoid the issue with the Office digital certificates.

Please consider rating the question (accept the answer or not), and access the community at Microsoft Q&A if you have further questions.

Thanks
Noneof YourBus 20 Reputation points

2026-07-05T09:36:51.08+00:00

In rereading your answers, I realized that version numbers which used to be 16.xx.y are now 16.xxx.y (ie 3 of the x digits, not 2 of them anymore). Meaning that 16.110 is later than 16.89 as 110 is a higher number than 89. I am an old fashioned software person, where the number of digits mattered, I was reading just the first 2 digits of 16.110 and saying that 11 is lower than 89, so why upgrade from 16.89 to 16.110. Now I get what you are saying. s
Noneof YourBus 20 Reputation points

2026-07-05T09:41:37.2866667+00:00

In rereading your answers, I realized that version numbers which used to be 16.xx.y are now 16.xxx.y (ie 3 of the x digits, not 2 of them anymore). Meaning that 16.110 is later than 16.89 as 110 is a higher number than 89. I am an old fashioned software person, where the number of digits mattered, I was reading just the first 2 digits of 16.110 and saying that 11 is lower than 89, so why upgrade from 16.89 to 16.110. Now I get what you are saying. THANKS!