How to remove Microsoft Office AutoUpdate completely from macOS

In the ecosystem of macOS, Microsoft applications play a significant role for many users. However, the persistent Microsoft AutoUpdate dialog can become a source of frustration, especially for those who have uninstalled Microsoft Office or no longer require automatic updates for Microsoft applications. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step approach to removing Microsoft AutoUpdate from your Mac, ensuring a cleaner system and potentially improved performance.

Understanding Microsoft AutoUpdate

Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) is a utility designed to keep Microsoft applications up-to-date on macOS. While it serves an important function for active Microsoft software users, it can become redundant or intrusive for others. Before proceeding with removal, it's crucial to consider whether you still need Microsoft applications on your Mac, as removing MAU may lead to outdated software if you continue to use Microsoft products.

Preparation: Quitting Microsoft AutoUpdate

Before initiating the removal process, ensure that Microsoft AutoUpdate is not running:

1. Check if Microsoft AutoUpdate is active in your menu bar or dock.
2. If it's running, quit the application normally.
3. If the application is unresponsive, you can force quit it:
   • Open Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities)
   • Locate Microsoft AutoUpdate in the process list
   • Select it and click the "Force Quit" button (X icon) in the toolbar

Removing Microsoft AutoUpdate

Follow these steps to remove the Microsoft AutoUpdate application:

1. Open Finder
2. From the menu bar, select "Go" > "Go to Folder" (or use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+G)
3. Enter the following path: /Library/Application Support/Microsoft/
4. Locate the folder named "MAU" or "MAU2.0" (the exact name may vary based on your version)
5. Within this folder, find Microsoft AutoUpdate.app
6. Drag Microsoft AutoUpdate.app to the Trash

Note: Exercise caution when deleting files from system folders. Ensure you're only removing the specified file to avoid unintended consequences.

Removing Associated Files

To thoroughly remove Microsoft AutoUpdate, you should also delete associated launch agents and daemons:

1. Go to /Library/LaunchAgents

   • Locate and move com.microsoft.update.agent.plist to the Trash

2. Navigate to /Library/LaunchDaemons/

   • Find and move com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist to the Trash

3. Access /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools

   • Locate and move com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper to the Trash

Finalizing the Removal

After moving all the specified files to the Trash:

1. Empty the Trash to permanently delete the files

   • Alternatively, if you wish to keep other items in the Trash, you can specifically delete the Microsoft AutoUpdate files from within the Trash

2. Restart your Mac to ensure all changes take effect

Removing Microsoft AutoUpdate via Terminal

For users comfortable with the command line interface, it's possible to remove Microsoft AutoUpdate using terminal commands. This method allows for a quicker, one-step removal process. However, it requires administrative privileges and should be performed with caution.

Terminal Commands for Removal

Open the Terminal application (found in Applications > Utilities) and enter the following commands:

sudo rm -rf /Library/Application\ Support/Microsoft/MAU2.0
sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchAgents/com.microsoft.update.agent.plist
sudo rm -rf /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper.plist
sudo rm -rf /Library/PrivilegedHelperTools/com.microsoft.autoupdate.helper

The paths following these commands are the locations of Microsoft AutoUpdate files and associated components.

Considerations and Precautions

• If you're an active user of Microsoft applications (e.g., Office suite, Edge browser), removing Microsoft AutoUpdate may result in using outdated software versions. Consider the implications before proceeding with removal.
• Always ensure you have a recent backup of your system before making significant changes to system files.
• If you encounter any issues after removal, consider reinstalling Microsoft AutoUpdate or consulting with Microsoft support.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can effectively remove Microsoft AutoUpdate from your macOS system, potentially reducing system clutter and eliminating unwanted update prompts. However, it's crucial to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks, especially if you rely on Microsoft software for your daily tasks.

Remember, software management is an ongoing process. Regularly review your installed applications and their associated utilities to maintain an efficient and clutter-free macOS environment.

This guide is based on current macOS and Microsoft AutoUpdate versions as of the publication date. Procedures may vary slightly with future updates.