Managing Office installations across multiple systems can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with a variety of apps from the entire Office suite to Visio. The constant downloading, customizations, and setups for each user not only take up valuable time but also increase the chances of errors. I’ve been there too, and I know how challenging it can be to ensure consistency while meeting user-specific needs.
But is there a solution to break this cycle? Yes, the Office Deployment Tool 2019 is your answer. It allows you to configure a single setup file with the right apps, language preferences, and update settings for your organization, saving time and effort. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to configure, deploy, and optimize Office installations efficiently, turning what once felt like a burden into a streamlined process.
Overview of the Office Deployment Tool
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is all about giving you control when deploying Microsoft Office across multiple devices. It’s made up of two main components: setup.exe and configuration.xml. The real flexibility comes from the configuration file, where you define the version of Office you want (Office 2019, Office 2021, or Microsoft 365 apps), as well as the apps and language packs you need. Once that’s set up, running setup.exe initiates the installation process.
What sets the ODT apart is its versatility—it’s not confined to just one version of Office. It works seamlessly with various Office versions, making it an essential tool for managing installations across multiple devices or users. This flexibility is especially valuable for businesses that need to deploy Office on numerous computers, particularly those using volume licenses, ensuring a smooth and efficient deployment process tailored to their needs.
How to Configure, Download, and Install Microsoft Office Deployment Tool 2019
The Office Deployment Tool might seem highly technical at first glance. Before getting to the steps, it's important to understand a few key terms to make the process clearer and more manageable. When I first came across Office Deployment Tool 2019, XML files, and CMD, I thought, "This is going to be a tough job to pull off". But as it turns out, while the steps are somewhat lengthy, they are straightforward if followed properly.
So, ODT, as we know, is the Office Deployment Tool—simply a utility used to deploy Microsoft Office apps on your system, and it works with any version. The XML file, in simpler terms, is like your download copy, where you specify your requirements, starting from your system's operating system to the language of your Office apps. Finally, the Command Prompt (CMD) is a program used to execute administrative commands.
With these concepts in mind and by following the setup process, we can use the Office Deployment Tool 2019 to deploy Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 or Microsoft Office Standard on our system. Now, let’s get to the steps!
Downloading the XML File
First, let’s start by downloading the XML file. This file will specify every detail of the Office application we want to deploy on our system.
Step 1: To get started, open your browser and search for “Office Customization Tool” on Google.
Step 2: Click on the top search result, which will redirect you to the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
Step 3: In the Admin Center, you’ll find several options to customize your Office deployment settings.
The first section, Products and Releases, includes fields such as architecture, products, update channels, and applications. Let’s walk through each of these fields step by step:
Step 4: In the Architecture field, select your system’s architecture—either 32-bit or 64-bit.
Note: To check your system’s architecture, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
Step 5: Under the Office Suites field, choose “Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 – Volume License”. If you require additional products such as Visio, you can add those here.
Step 6: For the Update Channel section, leave the default settings unchanged.
Step 7: Next, specify which Office apps you want to include. You can toggle apps on or off as per your preferences.
Step 8: Once the Products and Releases section is complete, click Next to proceed to the Language section.
Step 9: In the Language section, select your preferred primary language. This will ensure your Office suite includes the correct language pack.
Step 10: Optionally, you can add proofing tools or additional languages. Once you’re done, click Next to continue.
Step 11: In the Installation section, select an appropriate installation option from the list.
Step 12: You can keep the default installation settings as they are and click Next.
Step 13: The next section is Updates and Upgrades. In the Updates field, retain the default settings.
Step 14: For Upgrades, decide whether to uninstall any previous Office versions. Once you’ve made your choice, click Next.
Step 15: Proceed to the Licensing and Activation section. In the Product Key field, select “KMS” as this deployment does not require a product key.
Step 16: Leave the Product Activation settings unchanged and click “Next”.
Step 17: In the General section, provide your company name or your personal name. You may also include an optional description for the deployment.
Step 18: Once these fields are filled, click “Next” to proceed.
Step 19: The final section is Application Preferences. If you do not have any specific preferences, simply click “Next” to finalize your configuration.
Step 20: After completing all settings, click “Export” to generate the configuration file. Save the file as configuration.xml in your chosen folder.
Step 21: In the Export dialog box, select Office Open XML Formats as the file type and click “OK”.
Step 22: Tick the checkbox to agree to the terms and conditions.
Step 23: Finally, click the “Export” button to save your configuration file in XML format.
Downloading the Office Deployment Tool
With the configuration.xml file ready, the next step is to download the Office Deployment Tool.
Step 1: Open a new browser tab and search for “Office Deployment Tool”.
Step 2: Select the first result to go to Microsoft’s official page and download the tool.
Step 3: On the download page, pick your preferred language and click “Download” to get the Office Deployment Tool.
Extract the Files for Deployment
After downloading the tool, you can extract it. You may want to create a new folder for organizational purposes.
Step 1: Right-click on the “Office Deployment Tool” file and select “Run as Administrator”.
Step 2: A window displaying the Microsoft Software License Terms will appear. Scroll down, tick the box to accept the terms, and click “Continue”.
Step 3: Choose the destination folder for the extracted files and hit “OK”.
Step 4: Once the extraction finishes, click “OK” on the confirmation message to exit the setup.
You’ve now successfully extracted the Office Deployment Tool files and can proceed with the next steps!
Running the Command Prompt Setup
Now it’s time to use Command Prompt to initiate the installation of Microsoft Office from the extracted files.
Step 1: Search for “Command Prompt” in the taskbar, right-click it, and select “Run as Administrator.”
Step 2: In the Command Prompt, you’ll need to copy the folder’s file path where the Office Deployment Tool was extracted. Navigate to the folder’s “Address bar”, press “CTRL + C” to copy the path.
Step 3: In Command Prompt, type “cd”, followed by a space, then paste the file path with “CTRL+V”, and hit “Enter”.
Step 4: You’re now in the right folder to run the installation. Type the following command to start:
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
Note: Ensure the XML file name matches what you’ve named it if you made changes earlier.
Step 5: Press “Enter” to initiate the installation. It may take a few minutes to complete.
Verifying Installation and Activation
Once the installation finishes, it’s time to check if Office is activated properly.
Step 1: Open any Office app (e.g., Word), and click the “Account” tab.
Step 2: You’ll find the product information here, confirming that the Office Professional Plus 2019 is activated and ready.
With your configuration file in place, you’ve created a powerful setup that can be used across multiple machines with Office Deployment Tool 2019. The initial steps of configuring and downloading the tool are a one-time process. After that, you can easily transfer the files to any computer, and by using Command Prompt, you can deploy the Office Professional Plus 2019 on each one with the exact same configuration. This ensures a smooth, consistent installation without the need for any further adjustments.
Best Alternative to Microsoft Office 2019: WPS Office
When it comes to deploying Microsoft Office across multiple devices or businesses, the process can often feel like a series of hoops to jump through. From dealing with licensing complexities to configuring settings for each user, the traditional Office setup process isn't always as simple as it seems. This is where WPS Office stands out as an alternative that removes these barriers and provides an easier, more intuitive solution.
WPS Office not only offers a familiar interface that mirrors Microsoft Office, but it also simplifies the entire user experience, from download to daily use. Gone are the days of complex setups and confusing configurations. With WPS Office, the installation is quick and painless, and customization is built directly into the apps themselves. Whether you're switching languages or adjusting features, it all happens with just a few clicks.
But the appeal of WPS Office isn't just about ease—it’s about offering a complete solution. It brings together all the essential tools you need, from word processing and spreadsheets to presentations, in a single, unified platform. This eliminates the need for switching between multiple apps, reducing desktop clutter and increasing productivity.
And it doesn’t stop there. WPS Office also integrates useful features like PDF tools and even an AI assistant to help with tasks, all designed to boost efficiency. For those who work with images, a built-in photo editor helps enhance visuals before placing them in your documents, offering a seamless experience from start to finish.
If you’re tired of the traditional Office setup headaches and want a more streamlined, cost-effective alternative, WPS Office is the solution that allows businesses to run smoothly without compromising on functionality.
How to Download WPS Office
Let’s take a look ourselves at how WPS Office has kept the download process simple and quick. Whether you're on Windows or macOS, downloading it is straightforward. Here’s how you can get started:
Step 1: Open your browser, go to the WPS Office website, and select the "Download" button displayed prominently on the homepage.
Step 2: The download will begin. After it’s complete, double-click the downloaded file to initiate the WPS Office installation.
Step 3: After the installation is finished, you’re ready to go. Just launch WPS Office, and it will be fully set up for you; no extra steps needed.
FAQs
1. What should I do if I encounter problems with the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)?
If you're facing issues with the Office Deployment Tool, the first step is to ensure that you're using the latest version. Sometimes, outdated versions may cause unexpected errors. If the problem continues, you can check the log file located in the %temp% folder on your system. The log provides detailed information that can help you identify and resolve the issue.
2. How do I download Office 2019 Deployment Tool?
Simply follow these steps to download Office 2019 Deployment Tool:
Step 1: Open your browser and search for "Office Deployment Tool" on Google.
Step 2: Click the first link to visit Microsoft’s official page.
Step 3: Select your preferred language and click “Download” to get the tool.
3.What is LTSC Office?
Microsoft Office LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) is a version of Office tailored for businesses that require a stable, non-subscription model. It provides essential productivity apps with extended support for five years, without the frequent updates found in Microsoft 365. LTSC is ideal for organizations in restricted environments, and it's available via volume licensing agreements.
Optimize Office Deployment and Customization
The Office Deployment Tool 2019 is designed to help IT departments efficiently deploy Microsoft Office across devices. While it simplifies installation, updates, and configurations, the process can still be cumbersome. Customization options are available, but the tool’s approach tends to be more generalized, limiting flexibility when tailoring the environment for diverse users within the same organization.
If you're looking for a solution that offers more control, flexibility, and ease of use, WPS Office is a standout alternative. With WPS Office, organizations can enjoy an effortless setup process, giving users the power to personalize their own office environment without relying on IT teams. This not only minimizes the burden on your technical staff but also ensures that each user can optimize their tools based on their preferences. Make the shift today and discover how WPS Office can simplify your office suite management while enhancing user experience across your organization.
