Office Update and Office Update Inventory Tool Version 2.2 support ends in August, 2009

Beginning August 1, 2009, Microsoft will discontinue support for the Office Update Web site (at https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/FX101859091033.aspx). Customers can access functionality equivalent to the Office Update site by using the Microsoft Update Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=15270). This allows us to provide a more simplified and consistent experience for users across Microsoft products.

Updates for supported products that are currently offered on Office Update are also offered on the Microsoft Update site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=15270).

Users who try to access the Office Update website after August 1, 2009, will be automatically redirected to the Microsoft Update Web site (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=15270).

For more information, see About Office Update on the Office Online Web site (at https://office.microsoft.com/en-us/downloads/FX010402221033.aspx).

Advantages of using Microsoft Update

Microsoft Update is a scalable, Internet-based software distribution platform and service for consumer and corporate customers. Microsoft Update provides the following advantages:

· Seamless and automatic update experience. No manual work is required to determine which updates are needed.

· Single distribution service. A one stop shop for customers to get all updates from Microsoft extends the Windows Update experience.

· Devices just work. The required drivers are automatically installed.

· Benefits for consumers. Automatic updating and interactive experience to keep computers secure and up-to-date.

· Benefits for IT Pros. All management solutions provided by Microsoft use Microsoft Update: Windows Server Update Services, Microsoft Update Catalog, Systems Management Server (SMS), Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA), and System Center Essentials.

Using Systems Management Server (SMS) for updates

Customers who use SMS 2.0 in conjunction with the Software Update Services Feature Pack (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sms/bb676802.aspx) will be required to upgrade to SMS 2003 or greater in order to deploy Office updates with SMS. Customers who are using SMS 2003 and System Center Configuration Manager 2007 in conjunction with the Inventory Tool for Microsoft Updates (ITMU) will not be affected.

Using Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) to check security state

MBSA 2.1 customers are not affected. MBSA 2.1 is compatible with Microsoft Update and Windows Server Update Services (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/wsus/default.aspx) and the SMS Inventory Tool for Microsoft Update (ITMU). For more information about MBSA, see Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (https://www.microsoft.com/mbsa).

Office Update Inventory Tool Version 2.2 support ends in August, 2009

If you have been using the Office Update Inventory Tool Version 2.2 to check computers in your organization for status of Microsoft Office updates, be aware that this tool will not be supported after August 1st, 2009.

Microsoft recommends that customers use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to administer and deploy Office updates within their corporate network. For information about WSUS, see Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 Overview (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=82773) and Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started with Microsoft Windows Server Update Services 3.0 (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=82774) on the Microsoft TechNet Web site.

For information about managing updates for the 2007 Office system, see Distribute product updates for the 2007 Office system (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=146924).