At work I am deploying some new office PC's and so this was brought to the forefront of my mind. I can't believe I have never written about it before. So here we go!
Guide to Using the Office Deployment Tool with the Online Configuration Tool
Microsoft's Office Deployment Tool (ODT) allows for flexible and customized deployment of Microsoft Office products within an organization. When coupled with the Online Configuration Tool, it becomes a powerful means to tailor Office installations to specific requirements. This guide will walk you through the process of using the Office Deployment Tool with the Online Configuration Tool.
Prerequisites:
Office Deployment Tool (ODT): Download and install the ODT from the official Microsoft website.
Access to the Online Configuration Tool: Ensure you have internet access to utilize the Online Configuration Tool.
Basic Understanding of XML: Knowledge of XML syntax will be beneficial for configuring deployment options.
Steps to Use the Office Deployment Tool with the Online Configuration Tool
Step 1: Access the Online Configuration Tool
Open a web browser and navigate to the Office Customization Tool. ( https://config.office.com/ )
Sign in with your Microsoft account or organizational account associated with Office 365.
Step 2: Customize your Office Deployment
Start a new configuration or modify an existing one.
Configure installation settings such as product, version, language, update channel, and architecture.
Customize specific settings like apps to include or exclude, update settings, user preferences, etc.
Review and save your configuration.
Step 3: Download the Configuration File
After saving your configuration, click on the "Export" button.
Choose the appropriate architecture and click "Export".
Save the configuration file (configuration.xml) to your local machine.
Step 4: Download the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)
If you haven't already done so, download and install the Office Deployment Tool from the official Microsoft website.
Extract the contents of the downloaded ODT package to a folder on your local machine.
Step 5: Deploy Office Using ODT and Configuration File
Open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Navigate to the folder where you extracted the Office Deployment Tool.
Use the setup.exe file along with the /configure parameter followed by the path to your configuration file:
"setup.exe /configure path\to\configuration.xml" Press Enter to execute the command.
Step 6: Monitor Installation Progress
Once the deployment process begins, Office will start installing based on the configurations specified in the XML file.
Monitor the installation progress to ensure everything proceeds as expected.
Step 7: Verify Installation
Once the installation is complete, verify that Office applications are installed correctly on the target machines.
Test various Office applications and functionalities to ensure they work as intended.
Step 8: Troubleshooting
In case of any issues during installation, refer to log files generated by the Office Deployment Tool for troubleshooting.
Adjust configuration settings as necessary and redeploy if needed.
Conclusion
Utilizing the Office Deployment Tool in conjunction with the Online Configuration Tool provides a convenient method for customizing and deploying Office installations tailored to your organization's specific requirements. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can efficiently deploy Office across your organization while ensuring a smooth and seamless installation process.