How to Use the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool 2024 for Your Business

The Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) 2024 is an invaluable resource for IT administrators and businesses seeking to efficiently manage and deploy Microsoft Office applications. With its advanced features and customizable options, ODT simplifies the installation process, allowing organizations to optimize their Office deployments. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps of using the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool 2024 and address common queries related to its functionality.

What is the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool?

The Microsoft Office Deployment Tool is a command-line utility that facilitates the download and installation of Microsoft Office products. It allows organizations to customize their Office installations, control deployment settings, and manage updates effectively. The ODT is particularly beneficial for businesses using Office 2021, Office 365, or Office LTSC, as it provides greater flexibility than standard installation methods.

Key Benefits of Using the Office Deployment Tool 2024

Before we dive into the usage, let’s briefly discuss the key benefits of the Office Deployment Tool 2024:

1. Customizable Installations: Tailor your Office installations to meet specific business needs.
2. Support for Click-to-Run: Enables faster installations and streamlined updates.
3. Batch Deployment: Deploy Office to multiple devices simultaneously, saving time and effort.
4. Centralized Management: Manage installations from a single point, making it easier to maintain consistency across the organization.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Office Deployment Tool 2024

Step 1: Download the Office Deployment Tool

1. Visit the Microsoft Download Center: Go to the official Microsoft Download Center to download the latest version of the Office Deployment Tool 2024.
2. Run the Installer: After downloading, run the installer to extract the ODT files to your desired location on your computer.

Step 2: Create the Configuration File

The ODT uses an XML configuration file to define the installation parameters. Here’s how to create one:

1. Open a Text Editor: Use any text editor (like Notepad) to create a new XML file.
2. Define the Configuration: Insert the following template into the file, customizing it according to your requirements:

Copy below Code

<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition=”64″ Channel=”MonthlyEnterprise”>
<Product ID=”ProPlus2024Volume” PIDKEY=”XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX”>
<Language ID=”en-us” />
</Product>
</Add>
<Display Level=”None” AcceptEULA=”TRUE” />
<Property Name=”AUTOACTIVATE” Value=”1″ />
</Configuration>

• OfficeClientEdition: Specify “32” for 32-bit and “64” for 64-bit installations.
• Channel: Choose the update channel you want (e.g., MonthlyEnterprise).
• Product ID: Use the relevant product ID for the version of Office you’re deploying (e.g., ProPlus2024Volume for Office Professional Plus).
• PIDKEY: Enter your product key if applicable.
• Language ID: Specify the desired language (e.g., “en-us” for English).

1. Save the File: Save the XML file with a relevant name, such as config.xml.

Step 3: Download Office Installation Files

After creating the configuration file, the next step is to download the Office installation files:

1. Open Command Prompt: Navigate to the folder where you extracted the ODT.
2. Run the Command: Use the following command to download the installation files:

Copy below code: 

setup.exe /download config.xml

1. This command instructs the ODT to download the necessary installation files based on your configuration.

Step 4: Install Microsoft Office

Once the files are downloaded, you can install Office using the following steps:

1. Use Command Prompt Again: In the same Command Prompt window, execute the following command to install Office:

Copy below code

setup.exe /configure config.xml

This command reads the configuration file and installs Office on the machine.

Step 5: Manage Office Updates

The Office Deployment Tool 2024 also allows you to manage updates effectively. Here’s how to do it:

1. Create a New Configuration File: For updates, create another XML file with the following template:

Copy below code

<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition=”64″ Channel=”MonthlyEnterprise” >
<Product ID=”ProPlus2024Volume” />
</Add>
<Updates Enabled=”TRUE” />
</Configuration>

2. Run the Command: Use the following command to update Office:

Copy below code