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
Hello, I noticed when I wanted to revert back to Office 2016, Microsoft had pulled the software off their sites. How else can I go back to Office 2016?
Do you have a license linked to your Microsoft account? Should be able to download from account.microsoft.com. If you did not add the key to a Microsoft account and did not save the officesetup.exe, I'll see if I can find a link.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-or-reinstall-office-2019-office-2016-or-office-2013-7c695b06-6d1a-4917-809c-98ce43f86479
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.