How to stop MS Updates loading me with Office Updates

Just reconfigure updates to let you know when they are available, and as stated above, right-click and hide any you don't want.

Thanks p5bdkw
i thought that that was what I was doing by removing the ticks (which is what r.click and hide also achieves)
but I just need that little extra info.

Thanks also seavixen32 - yes that's how I had my update configured.

Some have said that most if not all Office updates need to be installed even if you don't have or don't use a particular application (Excel or Outlook for instance). Something about how they can have an effect on other parts of Office too.

I have hidden many updates for parts of Office I don't use (but do have installed) but wonder if I should just install them. I imagine it can't hurt.

bru said:

Some have said that most if not all Office updates need to be installed even if you don't have or don't use a particular application (Excel or Outlook for instance). Something about how they can have an effect on other parts of Office too.

I have hidden many updates for parts of Office I don't use (but do have installed) but wonder if I should just install them. I imagine it can't hurt.

I would go ahead and install them even though you do not use Office it IS installed on the computer

Click Start button, type "Windows Update" in the search box, press ENTER. Click "Change Settings" in the left pane. Under "Microsoft Update", uncheck the "Give me updates for Microsoft products and check for new optional Microsoft software when I update Windows" option.

Bru wrote

I have hidden many updates for parts of Office I don't use (but do have installed) but wonder if I should just install them. I imagine it can't hurt.

Bru I'm happy to be corrected as I am not a computer technician however my view so far is:
MS deliveres to the lowest common denominator, so lots of dummies who don't care about installing a quality
anti virus etc. So MS has to keep a high level of security to cover those who don't protect their computers.
Most updates appear to relate to security.
As I use only Word and P/Point (and frankly only use Word to fit in with others as I prefer Open Office) I am not going to fill up my machine with updates which appear irrelevant. I have a quality fire wall, anti virus and malware and regularly use Lavasoft's Adaware (tried Malwarebytes for a while but found it inferior to Adaware) to scan my system.

As I said I'm happy to be corrected technically if I'm mistaken but sofar I've had 12 years of operation (mostly on XP Pro, now Win 7 Pro) and no great crashes or bugs which couldn't be removed easily.

One point I'm waiting to clarify: with selective install can I avoid installing component programs of Office 07? Or can I only mark them 'Not Available' and still carry them on my system. Am prepared to uninstall and start again if I can avoid loading them all. Can anyone clarify this?

Even tough you do not use office for the most part the security updates should be installed (in my opinion). Some people do not use IE but they still install updates since it is installed on their system. Unless you have a small hard drive you will not even notice the space they take. Yes you use anti-virus/anti-spyware so your "front" and "back" door are locked BUT without installing updates I can still get in through your "upstairs window" Just my opinion and I ain't all that bright lol.

Thanks Tortuga. Also for being clear that it's only yr opinion.
It would be helpful to have some solid technical response to these 2 questions:-

1. can individual program from Office be installed and other not installed
or must all be installed and then some marked 'not available' afterwards?

2. how important are Office updates for those who do use all the Office programs?