microsoft excel updates downloadsCan I download free updates of Microsoft Excel, Word, etc.?

Or do I have to pay for them? Is it better to download updates or go out to Best Buy and get it in a nice pretty box?
That depends on what you mean by "update." Microsoft provides free patches to existing software to fix security holes and occasional bugs, but it does notmicrosoft excel updates downloads provide free updates (really, upGRADES) from one version to another.

In other words, there's no way to get a free update that takes you from, say, Word 2003 to Word 2007.

But you would qualify for a reduced rate on a for-money upgrade. See the attached link for information.

Sorrymicrosoft excel updates downloads.
Updates should come automatically along with the other windows updates.

An update does not cost a thing (such as MIcrosoft office 2007 to Microsoft office 2007 SP1)

However an upgrade would cost money. (such as Microsoft Office 2003 to Microsoft office 2007)