Emergency Update Released for Microsoft Office 2016

Microsoft has issued an emergency update for its Office 2016 suite due to a critical issue affecting the functionality of various applications. Users reported that after installing the April Patch Day security updates, applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook became unresponsive or experienced crashes.

The specific security update, identified as KB5002700, has been linked to these operational problems. In a support document regarding the emergency update KB5002623, Microsoft noted that this patch is designed specifically for the MSI installer version of Office 2016. It is important to note that this update will not be compatible with the 'Click-to-run' versions commonly associated with Microsoft 365 Home subscriptions.

To restore functionality to Office 2016 applications, users are required to first install the KB5002700 update from the April Patch Day, followed by the KB5002623 emergency patch. Both updates are available for download from the official Microsoft website, where users can access files for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Office 2016. It is advisable for users to verify their version before downloading to ensure compatibility.

After the installation of these updates, users should find the files Mso20win32client.dll.x64 and Mso20win32client.dll.x86 listed under version 16.0.5495.1002, with a date of March 22, 2025. This update aims to address the significant inconvenience posed by the earlier updates and restore normal functionality to affected applications.

Earlier this week, Microsoft released a range of updates addressing security vulnerabilities across its software, including the Office suite and Windows operating systems. Many of these vulnerabilities were already under active exploitation by cybercriminals, making the timely installation of updates crucial. Therefore, the issues encountered with Office 2016 are particularly frustrating for users, although the prompt response from Microsoft with the emergency update is commendable.