Q: Lost Applications after Update

Exactly which versions of "Windows" programs are you talking about, and how were you running a Windows program on a Mac?

Was it Office for Mac 2004? or newer (2008/2011)

The likely cause is support for applications that were designed to run on PPC based Macs was dropped when Lion OS X V. 10.10.0 was introduced. Apple converted from PPC based machine in 2006 to Intel based computers. They gave users about 7 years to convert their legacy apps (PPC based) to Intel based. When Lion was introduced many users did not realize this and had not prepared and were left with very old software that would no longer work.

To make a long story short, you got 10+ years out of the version of Office for Mac, it is time to buy a new license of their more up-to-date software. Don't worry all your files are okay, you just need new applications. If for some reason you don't want to buy Office for Mac, there are many free Internet based alternatives. You can also begin using Apple's Pages, Numbers & Keynote applications too.

Good luck!

Office 2008 works on Yosemite,

"I believe" please verify which version it was, 2004 will do exactly what you are seeing, 2008 will not.

susanfromswisher wrote:

 

I believe Office for Mac 2008.

Office for Mac 2008 will run in Yosemite. Locate the app in your Applications folder and double click to launch them. If they launch okay, then drag the question marked icons on your Dock off the Dock and then drag the icons located in the Applications folder to the Dock to replace them. If you don't know how to add and remove icons from the Dock please click Mac Basics: The Dock holds your favorite apps, documents, and more - Apple Support for instructions.

susanfromswisher wrote:

 

Thanks - I'll try it!!

BTW....If you cannot locate the MS Office for Mac apps in your Applications folder, that would also indicate you had Office for Mac 2004.