Author: Sysadmin Notes

Keeping Microsoft 365 Apps updated is essential for security, performance, and access to the latest features. In some environments, devices may be configured to use the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, which receives feature updates less frequently. If you need quicker access to the latest Microsoft 365 improvements, you can switch the update channel to the Current Channel.

Why Change to the Current Channel?

The Current Channel provides:

• Monthly feature updates
• Faster access to new Microsoft 365 capabilities
• More frequent bug fixes and performance improvements
• Better alignment with Microsoft’s latest releases

This channel is particularly useful for IT administrators, power users, and testing environments where staying current is important.

Prerequisites

You must run the commands with Administrator privileges.

Step 1: Open an Elevated Command Prompt

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and navigate to the Click-to-Run installation folder:

cd "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\ClickToRun"

Step 2: Change the Update Channel

Execute the following command to switch Microsoft 365 Apps to the Current Channel:

OfficeC2RClient.exe /changesetting Channel="Current"

Step 3: Trigger the Update

Run the following command to start the update process:

OfficeC2RClient.exe /update user

This will force Microsoft 365 Apps to check for and install the latest updates available in the Current Channel.

Verify the Update

Once the update completes:

1. Open any Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
2. Navigate to File > Account.
3. Check the version information under About.

The installed build should correspond to the latest version released by Microsoft for the Current Channel.

Note: Microsoft does not necessarily release a new version every month. Availability depends entirely on Microsoft’s release schedule.

Best Practice for New Deployments

To avoid manually changing update channels later, install Microsoft 365 Apps directly from the Microsoft 365 portal:

• Sign in to the Microsoft 365 portal.
• Download the latest version available.
• Ensure the desired update channel is configured during deployment.

This helps maintain consistency across devices and reduces administrative overhead.

Conclusion

Switching from the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to the Current Channel is a quick task that can be completed in a few minutes. By using the built-in Click-to-Run client, administrators can ensure users receive the latest Microsoft 365 features, security improvements, and performance updates without waiting for the semi-annual release cycle.