Custom installation – without Outlook

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I’ve MSOffice 2016 Pro Plus through a work Home Use Discount.   I don’t use, nor want Outlook as it messes up links with a real email program.  However one cannot choose to install selected components of the package the way one used to be able to in the old days.  The installer gives no options – it is all or none.

There are ways to custom install Office using the ‘office deployment tool’ – but this no longer works for 2016  (though it does for the more recent versions) – I gather because MS changed something in the installation system.

I’ve found a couple of references to using a custom XML file to accomplish this but I’m afraid it is all greek to me.  I cannot make it work – even the first step, that of recognising the MSOffice install program file.

Can anyone advise of a site and/or utility that makes this possible for a non-programmer luddite?   All I really want is Word/Excel/PPt, and not Outlook/OneNote, and fluff like that.

Richard

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Visit https://config.office.com/ to create the XML file. It may look like you need to sign in but you don’t have to; just scroll down and click the Create button.

Once you have the file, you’ll need to run the setup tool and specify the path to the XML file; usually setup.exe /configure c:\path\to\file.xml (change as necessary).

I actually wrote a simple tool in VB.NET to simplify this, should really put it on Github for times like this.

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Thanks.

The problem is that the microsoft tool to create an xml document does not work for Office 2016.  I further gather that somehow the installation rigamarole was changed for 2019 and later and that, while it can be kludged to work for 2016, that is the issue with which I am having problem.  My brain is kludged but not in that way.

I did try playing with a configuration I found on the web somewhere (attached) but it just doesn’t work.  Maybe the ProductID I’m using is not correct.  Maybe the Key?  Maybe it just doesn’t work with the HUP versions of Office (though nowhere have I found a suggestion saying this is so).  Maybe I actually don’t have an appropriate ISO file (Microsoft’s installation download file isn’t actually the program, but just an installation routine).

The tool you describe would be very nice for me to try!   Please put it up on Github!  I’m willing to be the beta tester….

 

 

 

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Richard Merchant wrote:

I’ve found a couple of references to using a custom XML file to accomplish this but I’m afraid it is all greek to me. I cannot make it work – even the first step, that of recognising the MSOffice install program file.

I can try and talk you through it, but I’d like you to answer a couple of questions first.

What are you using for the Product ID?

Are you using a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of Office?

In fact, it would be helpful if you could copy and paste the entire configuration file that you tried.

 

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Thanks.

The configuration file I used is the one I attached.  64 bit.

The product ID might be the issue.   I’m using a HUP version of Office2016ProPlus but I cannot find that exact term that I’m confident enough of to put in the xml – I used this:

<Add OfficeClientEdition=”64″ Channel=”PerpetualVL2021″>
<Product ID=”ProPlus2021Volume” PIDKEY=”FXYTK-*****”>

[Moderator edit] do not post software keys

 

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Sorry I just saw your reply.

I don’t see the attached configuration file. That may be because I am posting as a guest and not as a registered member.

Can you copy and paste your configuration file into your message. X out any personal information like the software key if it is present. Or just use the simplified one I inserted below.

Your Product ID is incorrect. The Product ID for Office 2016 Pro Plus should be:

<Product ID=”ProPlusRetail”>

Do not add the year or anything else to the Product ID. The licensing channel of the HUP programs is Retail, not Volume.

Your Channel value is incorrect. You can omit it. It’s optional.

Try this:

<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition=”64″>
<Product ID=”ProPlusRetail”>
<Language ID=”en-us” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Access” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Groove” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Lync” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”OneNote” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”OneDrive” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Outlook” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Project” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Publisher” />
<ExcludeApp ID=”Visio” />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>

If you want any of those programs that are listed after the ExcludeApp ID, just delete that entire line.

You will need the setup.exe file you extracted from the ODT, along with this configuration.xml file, to install Office. You run setup.exe from the command line. Uninstall Office from your computer first if it is installed.

The following two links probably contain too much information but may be helpful:

https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/custom-install-uninstall-office-apps/
https://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/microsoft-office-install-customization.html

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Thanks for this detailed help.   I’m putting this project aside for a while and will have to get back to it – excuse the silence for now.

Richard

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