As an IT administrator or someone managing multiple systems, you know the frustration of installing and configuring Office applications for every user individually. The repetitive tasks, manual configurations, and hours spent downloading individual language packs or applications can quickly add up, draining both time and patience.
I’ve been there too, which is why I want to walk you through the Office Deployment Tool 2021; a solution designed to simplify and optimize this entire process. The deployment tool enables you to customize, deploy, and manage Office installations efficiently, whether it’s defining specific apps, language packs, or update preferences. In this guide, I’ll share the entire step-by-step process, from configuring your deployment package to creating a reusable setup that works across multiple systems, saving you valuable time.
Overview of the Office Deployment Tool
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is a command-line tool that really puts you in control when deploying Microsoft Office across multiple computers. It’s made up of two key files: setup.exe and configuration.xml. he beauty of this setup is that the configuration file allows you to define what version of Office you want to install—whether it’s Office 2019, Office 2021, or even Microsoft 365 apps. You can also specify which apps to include, select the right language packs, and control update channels, all within the configuration file. Once everything is set, you simply run setup.exe to begin the installation.
What’s great about the ODT is that it’s not limited to just one version of Office. It’s a flexible tool that works with different Office versions, making it a vital resource if you’re managing installations across a wide range of devices or users. This flexibility makes it particularly useful for businesses that need to deploy Microsoft Office on multiple computers, especially those with volume licenses. It ensures a consistent, efficient rollout tailored to your organization’s needs, giving you the control necessary for a smooth installation process.
How to Configure, Download, and Install Microsoft Office Deployment Tool 2021
Configuring and deploying Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2021 using the Office Deployment Tool 2021 can initially appear complex, but with the right understanding, it becomes a manageable process. The ODT is a utility designed for efficiently installing and configuring Microsoft Office across multiple systems. The XML file plays a crucial role as it defines the specifics of the installation—such as which version of Office to install, the language preferences, and the apps to include. Command Prompt (CMD) is the tool you’ll use to execute the setup commands based on this configuration.
While the process involves several steps, once the basic concepts are understood, it becomes a straightforward task. In this section, I will guide you through each step, breaking down the entire procedure into manageable sections to make it easier to follow.
Downloading the XML File
Step 1: Start by opening your web browser and searching for “Office Customization Tool” on Google.
Step 2: Click on the first result, which will direct you to the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
Search results for Office Customization Tool on Google
Step 3: In the Admin Center, you’ll see multiple options to configure your Office deployment.
The first section, called Products and Releases, lets you customize fields such as architecture, products, update channels, and applications. Let’s review each field in detail:
Step 4: In the Architecture field, select the architecture of your system—either 32-bit or 64-bit.
Note: You can confirm your system's architecture by navigating to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
Step 5: In the Office Suites field, choose Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 – Volume License. If you require any additional products, such as Visio, you can include them here.
Step 6: In the Update Channel section, leave the default settings unchanged.
Step 7: Select the Office applications you wish to include. You can enable or disable apps using the toggle switches.
Step 8: Once you’ve configured the Products and Releases section, click “Next” to proceed to the Language section.
Step 9: Choose your primary language for the Office suite in the Language section. This ensures the suite includes the appropriate language pack.
Step 10: Optionally, you can add proofing tools or additional languages to the configuration. When you’re done, click “Next”.
Step 11: In the Installation section, select an installation option that best fits your needs.
Step 12: Keep the default installation options unchanged and click Next.
Step 13: In the Updates and Upgrades section, leave the Updates field as is.
Step 14: For the Upgrades field, decide whether to uninstall any existing Office versions. Once done, click Next.
Step 15: Move to the Licensing and Activation section. In the Product Key field, select “KMS” as this deployment doesn’t require a product key.
Step 16: Leave the Product Activation field unchanged and click “Next”.
Step 17: In the General section, fill in your organization’s name or your personal name. Optionally, add a description for the deployment.
Step 18: Once completed, click “Next” to proceed.
Step 19: In the Application Preferences section, if no specific preferences are required, simply click “Next” to finalize the configuration.
Step 20: Once all the settings are finalized, click “Export” to generate the configuration file. Save the file as configuration.xml in a folder of your choice.
Step 21: In the Export dialog, select Office Open XML Formats as the file type and click “OK”.
Step 22: Agree to the terms and conditions by ticking the checkbox.
Step 23: Finally, click the “Export” button to save the configuration file in XML format.
Download the Office Deployment Tool
Now that you have the configuration.xml file prepared, it’s time to download the Office Deployment Tool.
Step 1: Open your browser and search for “Office Deployment Tool”.
Step 2: Click the first search result to visit Microsoft’s official website and download the tool.
Step 3: On the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool page, select your preferred language, then click “Download” to start the process.
Extract the Deployment Files
Once you have the tool downloaded, let’s extract it. You can create a new folder to keep everything organized if you prefer.
Step 1: Right-click on the “Office Deployment Tool” file and choose “Run as Administrator” from the context menu.
Step 2: The Microsoft Software License Terms dialog will appear. Scroll through the document, check the box to accept the terms, and click “Continue”.
Step 3: Choose a folder where you want to extract the files and click “OK”.
Step 4: Once the extraction is complete, click “OK” on the confirmation message to exit.
Now, your Office Deployment files are ready in the selected folder, and you’re set to move forward!
Execute the Command Prompt Setup
Next, we’ll use Command Prompt to start the installation of Microsoft Office from the files you extracted with the Office Deployment Tool.
Step 1: Open the taskbar search bar, type “Command Prompt”, and click on “Run as Administrator”.
Step 2: In Command Prompt, you’ll need to copy the file path of the folder where you extracted the tool’s files. Go to the folder’s “Address bar”, and press “CTRL + C” to copy the path.
Step 3: Back in Command Prompt, type “cd”, followed by a space, then paste the path with “CTRL+V”, and press “Enter”.
Step 4: Now, to begin the installation, enter the following command:
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
Note: If you renamed the XML file earlier, ensure you use the updated name in the command.
Step 5: Press Enter, and the installation will start. It may take a few minutes to complete.
Verify Installation and Activation
Once installed, let’s check if Office is properly activated and ready to use.
Step 1: Open any Office app, like Word, and go to the “Account” tab.
Step 2: In the Account tab, you should see the product details, confirming your Office Professional Plus 2021 is activated.
Now that you’ve set up your configuration file, you have a ready-to-use setup that, with the Office Deployment Tool 2021, can help you install Office Professional Plus 2021 on multiple systems. The good news is, the configuration and deployment steps only need to be completed once. Afterward, you can transfer the deployment files to any PC and, using Command Prompt, effortlessly install the entire suite with the same preset settings; no additional adjustments required.
Best Alternative to Microsoft Office 2021: WPS Office
While the Office Deployment Tool 2021 simplifies the download and setup of Microsoft Office, the process can still be a hassle, especially when it comes to installation and catering to the different needs of individual users. With the ODT, you're mostly streamlining the deployment across an entire organization, but it doesn’t allow for much customization to meet specific user preferences. That’s where WPS Office comes in as a solid alternative.
WPS Office offers a cost-effective solution that closely mimics the Microsoft Office interface, so users who are familiar with Office won’t feel out of place. It’s not only easier to set up but also allows for greater customization. For example, if your team members have different language preferences, they can switch between languages with just a few clicks—all from within the app itself. This kind of flexibility makes it a standout choice for businesses seeking more than just the typical Office suite experience.
What really sets WPS Office apart is its all-in-one approach. Instead of juggling between multiple applications, WPS Office brings everything you need into one window—be it word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, or even PDF tools, which are included as part of the suite. The added benefit? WPS Office comes with an intelligent AI assistant designed to boost productivity, along with a built-in photo editor for easy image enhancement before inserting them into your documents, presentations, or spreadsheets.
In short, WPS Office provides a smoother, more efficient, and highly customizable experience compared to Microsoft Office, making it a great choice for businesses looking for a simpler, more flexible solution.
How to Download WPS Office
Let’s see how WPS Office has made the download process as easy as possible. Whether you're using Windows or macOS, it’s designed to be quick and hassle-free. Here’s how to get it:
Step 1: Visit the WPS Office website through your browser and click the "Download" button located at the center of the page.
Step 2: Once the file finishes downloading, double-click it to begin installing the WPS Office suite.
Step 3: Once the installation is complete, you're all set to start using WPS Office for all your office needs. Simply open the app, and it will be ready to use; no additional setup required.
FAQs
1. What is an Office deployment tool?
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is a Microsoft utility that helps deploy Office products across multiple computers. It allows customization of installations, including app selection, language, and update settings, making it ideal for large-scale deployments in organizations.
2. What is LTSC office?
Microsoft Office LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) is a version of Office designed for organizations that need a stable, long-term solution. Unlike Microsoft 365, LTSC offers a perpetually licensed suite of Office apps with five years of support, making it ideal for environments with limited internet access or where feature updates are not needed. It is available through volume licensing agreements.
3. Which Office is free?
The web version of Microsoft 365 is available for free, requiring only a Microsoft account. However, it can only be used in a browser, with no offline functionality. If you're looking for a free alternative to Microsoft Office, WPS Office is a great choice. It offers a fully functional office suite at no cost.
Achieving Better Office Deployment with WPS
The Office Deployment Tool 2021 is a powerful solution for efficiently deploying Microsoft Office across multiple devices, making it easier to manage installation, updates, and configurations. While it provides customization options, it can still be time-consuming and generally offers a more standardized approach rather than allowing granular personalization for different users within the same organization.
In such cases, alternatives like WPS Office are a great choice. It offers an easy setup with complete control over personalization. Users can tailor it to their needs, reducing the workload for IT personnel and accommodating diverse preferences more effectively. If you're looking to simplify office suite deployment, switch to WPS Office and automate the process of customizing and managing your office environment.
