In this post I will be going through the process for how to deploy Microsoft 365 Aps with Intune. Creating Microsoft 365 application which was previously known as Office 365 ProPlus, is a straight forward process using Microsoft Intune as you don’t have to download / upload any source. Microsoft 365 application also takes care of uninstalling any previous version of office.
Create Microsoft 365 Apps
Microsoft 365 is on a SaaS (Software as a service) platform, hence majority of things are taken care automatically when creating the package with Intune.
Let’s go with creation and deploying of Microsoft 365 apps. Navigate to Microsoft Intune Admin center and navigate to Home > Apps > Windows to open Windows apps blade.
Click on Add to start the process of creating the Microsoft 365 apps.
Another blade will open with name Select app type, select Microsoft 365 apps for Windows 10 and later.
On App suite information page, information will be automatically generated, if you want to change, you can do that:
Suite Name: Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows 10 and later
Suite Description: Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows 10 and later
Publisher: Microsoft
Show this as a featured app in the Company Portal: No
Information URL: https://products.office.com/en-us/explore-office-for-home
Privacy URL: https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-US/privacystatement
Developer: Microsoft
Owner: Microsoft
Notes:
Logo: Logo will be automatically populated, you cannot change the image.
On Configure app suite page, specify Configuration settings format, we have to options – Configuration designer – This is a straight forward way to go with
Enter XML data – can create your own custom configuration.
Under Configure app suite section, select Office apps with following options to be selected:
Access
Excel
OneNote
Outlook
PowerPoint
Publisher
Skype for Business
Teams
Word
Let’s uncheck Skype for Business & Publisher as I don’t want to go with this option.
Under App suite information section, select:
Architecture: 64-bit
Update channel: We have 5 options available:
Current Channel: This provides the latest version of Office features the moment they are ready and released.
Current Channel (Preview): This is a Current Channel only, however can be availed couple of weeks earlier if you wish to test latest features for Office
Monthly Enterprise Channel: This provides Office features only monthly basis.
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel: This is the most preferred one, this is a feature update of Office application which is released twice a year. If you have big setup and need time to test and deploy the application to check for compatibility and functionality, then go for this.
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview): To get Semi-Annual Enterprise channel few weeks earlier, this is the option.
We are going with 4th option ie. Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.
We have other options available as well such as:
Remove other versions: If you have any existing msi Office version, select Yes to uninstall the previous version as part of Office 365 installation.
Version to install: I am going with Latest, however you have option to select a Specific version of Office which you have verified and confirmed as a stable one.
Under Properties section:
Use shared computer activation: Go with Yes only with the system is shared by other users such as desktops, call centre etc. For multiple users scenario, this is an option where Office activation isn’t counted as usually Office can be activated on a set number of devices only.
Accept the terms and Install background service for Microsoft Search in Bing as No.
Languages: Let’s not select the language, Office install is smart enough to install the appropriate language pack depending on default language of Operating System.
On Assignments page, deploy the application to existing group as Required.
Review the summary and click on Create.
Wait for notification to come to get the confirmation of Successful creation of Microsoft 365 application.
Install and verify Microsoft 365 app
Initiate Sync on Workstation, Microsoft 365 application will trigger. Installation can be verified through event viewer logs.
Through MEM portal, navigate to application and click on overview to verify the status.
Important Links
Add Microsoft 365 apps to Windows 10/11 devices using Microsoft Intune | Microsoft Docs
Overview of update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps – Deploy Office | Microsoft Docs
Discover more from SCCM | Intune | Azure | Enterprise Mobility & Security
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