Microsoft accidentally released an updated named 11.3.1 for Office 2004 (the Apple Mac version) today.

It did contain an unspecified security fix and stability improvements. After asking what it fixed we got the reply it was actually a pre-release that was made available through auto-update.

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/autoupdate/description/AUOffice20041131EN.htm

The wasn't intended to be released and hence has been pulled. See the MSRC blog for more details.

Microsoft is also recommending to uninstall the patches, although to be honest I've no idea how to actually do that.

A reader wrote in pointing out the standalone download .dmg image did contain in its instructions:

"This update does not include an uninstall feature. To restore your application to its original state, delete it from your hard disk, reinstall it from your original installation disk, and then install the updates you want."

So I guess we'll be dragging Office to the waste basket, search for the DVD and start having to register the software all over and then download a bunch of patches.

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Swa Frantzen -- Section 66