A software update, which is sometimes called a software, is a free download for an application, operating system, or that provides fixes for features that aren't working as intended or adds minor software enhancements and compatibility. Software updates are issued to address security issues when they occur, to address minor bugs discovered in the software, to improve the operation of hardware or peripherals, and to add support for new models of equipment. These small, incremental updates improve the operation of your software. The operating system and apps that run on your phone and tablet, the smartwatch on your wrist, and the peripheral that live streams video to your TV all use software that occasionally needs to be updated.

In most cases, unless you have chosen a setting that allows automatic updates, the device notifies you when a software update is available and gives you some information on why the update is important. Then, you decide whether to allow the update to go forward.

The vast majority of software updates are applied over the internet, so an internet connection is often a requirement. If you subscribe to an internet application or a suite of apps, such as Office 365, software updates—and upgrades—may take place under the hood. You may not even realize the software has been updated. This is because the internet applications may not need to place a software update on your computer or device to work properly. In other cases, such as with Adobe Creative Cloud, you are notified when an update is available for the applications you previously downloaded, and you choose when to apply the update.

Test your Skype call by talking and listening to the other person for a few seconds, then go back and readjust the levels if still required. If the sound is okay, you can close the Sound window and enjoy your Skype call.

Office 2016 for Mac will only prompt you to rebuild the database if it encounters a problem but this doesn’t always work anyway and you risk losing all of your mail if it doesn’t repair properly: The way round this is to create a new Profile in Office 2016 for Mac instead (previously called an “Identity” in Office 2011). The Office for Mac 2011 update applies to the following Microsoft software: Office for Mac 2011, Microsoft Excel for Mac 2011, Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac 2011, and Microsoft Word for Mac 2011. However, before updating, Mac users should beware, it comes to you as a double-edged sword: while Office for Mac 2011 14.5.0 fixes security bugs, it.

You can join the Office Insider for Mac program to get early access to the newest Office innovations. To join, simply check the box Join the Office insider program to get early access to new releases. What is Office Insider? More about Microsoft AutoUpdate. You can find Release notes for Office for Mac here.