Updating Office Components without using Internet Explorer

I hate internet explorer (IE) with a passion and personally try to eliminate it from PC where ever possible.

Instead I use Mozilla Firefox as my web browser.

When I try to access the Microsoft Update service it will only work if I use IE. If I use Firefox windows opens up an IE window or refuses to acknowledge my system exists if I try to download/install updates.

Is there a way to update office components without having to open IE?