You must create a custom XML file named configuration-office2021enterprise.xml . While you can write this manually, Microsoft provides a visual interface called the to generate this file safely.
Below is a simplified example of what a configuration file for Office 2021 Enterprise might look like:
Deploying Microsoft Office 2021 Enterprise Using the Office Deployment Tool
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Before writing code, it is essential to understand how the two core deployment components interact. 1. The Office Deployment Tool (setup.exe)
Step 3: Download the Office Source Files (Optional but Recommended)
The configuration.xml file is the blueprint for your Office installation. Mastering its structure is key to a successful deployment. The full set of elements and attributes is well-documented by Microsoft, but the most critical ones are outlined below: You must create a custom XML file named
: Specifies the 64-bit architecture. This is highly recommended for modern enterprise environments to leverage better memory management in applications like Excel.
If you plan to deploy Office to hundreds of machines, do not let every machine download files individually from the internet. Use the command setup.exe /download configuration-office2021enterprise.xml first. This downloads the installation source files to your local folder. Update your XML file to point to this local folder path, and run the /configure command locally.
The ODT is a command-line tool designed to download and deploy Click-to-Run versions of Microsoft Office, such as Office 2021. It is the standard method for deploying Office to many users, particularly when using volume licensing. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted
First, grab the official Office Deployment Tool from the . Run the .exe to extract setup.exe and several sample XML files. 2. Create the Configuration XML
A blueprint written in XML format. It tells setup.exe exactly what to do—which Office suite to install, which specific apps to exclude, the preferred language, software updates behavior, and licensing parameters. Step 1: Download and Extract the Office Deployment Tool
: Identifies the specific enterprise product tier (Office Professional Plus 2021 Volume edition).
This command performs the installation according to the specifications in your XML file. If you set the Display Level to "None" in your XML, the installation will proceed silently in the background.
: A text-based XML file that tells the installer exactly what to do (e.g., which languages to install, which apps to exclude, and where to get the source files). Step-by-Step Implementation