A spate of recent updates caused problems in Outlook and the short-term fix is to uninstall the update; however, updates can’t be uninstalled from the Click-To-Run installations of Office, and almost all users have the Click-To-Run installation.
Instead, you will need to revert to an earlier version.
First, you need to disable Office updates. If you don’t disable updates, the problem update will reinstall itself. You can disable updates from the File menu in any Office application.
In Outlook (this is an Outlook help site after all), go to File, Office Account, Update Options and click on Disable Updates.
Next, create an appointment in your calendar for 30 days from now to remind yourself to check for updates. In many cases, the “bad” file will be removed or replaced with a corrected update, and you can allow Office to install updates without reinstalling "trouble" after a few weeks have passed.
Now you’re ready to roll back the click-to-run installation.
Windows 10: Start typing cmd on the Start screen in the task bar search field to find the Command Prompt then click Run as Administrator
Older Windows version: Right click on the Start button and choose Command Prompt (Admin). If you don't see Command Prompt on the menu, you'll need to type cmd on the Start screen to find the Command Prompt then right click on it and choose Run as Administrator
If you are using Outlook 2016, 2019, or 365, copy the following line, then right click in the command prompt window to paste it. Replace xxxx.yyyy with the build number you want to revert to. You can look up build numbers at Version numbers of update branches for Office 365 clients.
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.xxxx.yyyy
Release Date | Command |
---|---|
July 2021 | "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.14131.20320 |
April 23 2021 | "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13901.20462 |
March 30 2021 | "C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13901.20312 |
Press Enter and the "update" will download and install.
Outlook 2013
Outlook 2013 users will change the directory to the path of officec2rclient.exe. To do this, in the command prompt window, type (or copy and right-click paste) the following if you are running 64-bit Office:
cd %programfiles%\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX64\
or this if using the 32-bit version of Office:
cd %programfiles%\Microsoft Office 15\ClientX86\
You’ll revert to a previous version of Office by running officec2rclient using a command line in this format, where 15.0.xxxx.xxxx is the previous version.
officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=15.0.xxxx.yyyy
The command line you'll use will look something like this (this is the July 2014 build):
officec2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=15.0.4631.1002
You can get the Office 2013 version numbers from Microsoft Office 2013 Click-to-Run virtualization or Office 2016 versions here: Version and build numbers of update channel releases for Office 365 clients
Choose Online Repair. Once repair is complete you can check your version to verify it updated properly. Note: you'll probably be asked to log in again and verify your license.
More Information
How to revert to an earlier version of Office 2013 or Office 2016 Click-to-Run (MSKB)
Version and build numbers of update channel releases for Office 365 clients
Hi how can i roll back to 2019 from 2021
Since its a separate program, you would uninstall 2021 then install 2019 (you need a license for 2019).
Recently received Office build 14827.20158, and neither the steps above nor any other support posts are able to remove it and revert back to 14701.20290. The current build is causing multiple instances of Access to open and stay open which then throws a "cannot open more databases" error to occur.
Hello, I´am not able to repair Outlook 365 athought I have installed the build from Dec 2020. This advice worked for each 2019 version which I needed to repair but for this 365 not. Help please.
It will work - what version are you trying to roll back to?
Actual version which I´v installed is 2002 build 12527.21416. I will be satisfied with any functional version. Thanks a lot
That is a really old build. Is there are reason you haven't updated it? The last release for the slowest lane is 12527.21952 - basically a couple of security fixes newer. Anything older is "not supported" by Microsoft.
This is (IMHO) the last know good build for Office 365 - from April 23. That's version 2013.
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun\officec2rclient.exe" /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13901.20462
I´ve changed to version 16.0.13901.20462 but autocomplete still shows wrong. That's why I tried older and older versions.
Is it still opening upward and has a large autocomplete list?
If you have the subscription version you need to use the registry key to get the small list, but it is always small in the one-time purchase version.
The (good) Autocomplete list is back (slipstick.com)
Thank you so much. This is what I needed.
Unfortunately, this did not work for me.
What happened when you tried? Any error messages? You cannot rollback windows store installs, only click to run.
Thank you 1000x for this info. Saved a lot (!) of time.
A million thumbs up! This triggered an update for my CTR version that was stuck at the RTM version.
Dear Diane,
Thanks for your information.
Uninstalling the latest Update works perfect by your descriprion.
I am getting the error: The latest version of Office approved by your system admin is installed on your computer.
But this is my computer already so I am the system admin.
Which suite are you using? Did you buy it at a store, get it from your employer, or get a subscription at office.com? It looks like it might either be the retail version or a volume license - they are on different update schedules and only get security updates. (The build # in the screenshot is a yr old, it's from about Jan/Feb 2016.)
I am using Office 365 ProPlus, Version 1609, Build 7369.2118. The office was not bought at a store, but came installed with my Surface Pro 4 tablet that I am using. I do have a subscription through office.com
The version that you saw me trying to roll back to is Version 1511, Build 6366.2062 which is the version from January 25 / 2016
**Update** One solution found
I was trying to use an update that was on the "Current" Channel, and my computer was on the "Deferred" channel. I did not realize that these channels were even a thing.
So after applying an update to switch from the Deferred Channel to the Current Channel. I can choose the update that I want to use.
Microsoft Office, does not throw an error screen to say "HEY YOUR UPDATE DOESNT EXIST ON THIS CHANNEL" Nope. They just say that your as up to date as your admin wants you to be.
The channel you are on is in the File, Office Account (or Account in the other office apps) -its listed right under Microsoft Office [suite name].