Microsoft keeps offering me updates for things I don't have installed like Skype and other things which, I'm pretty sure I don't have, like Visio (don't even know what the hell that is), Publisher, OneDrive, Microsoft Project as well as Office components I don't hvae installed like Excel and Access.
Anyone know why it does this?
The Skype thing is an app that Windows may try to keep downloading even after it has been uninstalled. You can allow/inhibit the automatic downloading of apps via settings in the Windows Store:
The other ones may have some type of app affiliation or they may just be coming from Windows Update if you have an option checked (why they would be offered if you don't have them I have no idea):
Make sure "Give me updates for other MS products is not checked"
Good luck,
WOT
Yeah, the "Give me updates for other MS products," thing was relevant.The Skype thing is an app that Windows may try to keep downloading even after it has been uninstalled. You can allow/inhibit the automatic downloading of apps via settings in the Windows Store:
The other ones may have some type of app affiliation or they may just be coming from Windows Update if you have an option checked (why they would be offered if you don't have them I have no idea):
Make sure "Give me updates for other MS products is not checked"
Good luck,
WOT
Here are the things I don't have that Win was peddling me updates for:
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Project 2016
- Microsoft Publisher 2016
- Skype for Business
Someone pointed out to me that these are all Office components, so, indeed, because of the "Give me updates for other MS products" being checked, I was being offered Office updates.
I unchecked it and then after a restart those updates were gone from the list.
Now, that's all well and good, but for two things:
1. Those were Office components I didn't have installed, so why was Windows offering them?
Now, I SEEM to remember someone said to me, on this forum, something like that there are core parts of Office in each of these component updates, so you should install them even if you don't have the particular component, or something like that.
Does anyone know whether that's the case?
2. The other thing is, I DO want to be offered updates for Office (and other MS products), except I don't want updates for things I don't have (unless the previously mentioned explanation is correct).
This is, apparently, known behaviour and has been going on since before Windows 10. This KB article is for Windows 7 and has a number of scenarios that cause this.
Microsoft Update and Windows Update offer updates for Office programs that you do not have installed
...the suggested solution being:
Method 1: Install the recommended update
Install the recommended update even if the feature is not being used.
2. The other thing is, I DO want to be offered updates for Office (and other MS products), except I don't want updates for things I don't have (unless the previously mentioned explanation is correct).
So you do need to check the box in WOT's last screenshot to get updates for other MS products, like Office. The reason to install all updates is that there are many shared registry components and dependencies. Even if you never installed, say Visio or Publisher, the program files are cached and updated after the initial install so that, if you ever did want to install one of these, you can go to Control Panel/Programs and Features, click 'Office' and either install another feature or click 'Change' which enables Repair option, the installation or repair will be up to date. You'll see the same install interface as if you inserted the program disc only all components are updated and patched, to date.
Quote
