Hey guys! Today, we're diving into deploying Office 2016 LTSC. Let's make this process super straightforward.

Understanding Office 2016 LTSC

Before we jump into the deployment, let's understand what Office 2016 LTSC is. Office 2016 Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) is designed for organizations that need a stable, long-term version of Office with minimal feature updates. This is perfect for environments where stability is more critical than having the newest features, like in regulated industries or specialized devices. Unlike the subscription-based Microsoft 365, Office 2016 LTSC is a one-time purchase, which means you pay once and use it for years. This can be a significant advantage for budget planning and avoiding recurring subscription costs. However, it also means you won't get regular feature updates; you'll mainly receive security and stability fixes. Knowing this distinction is crucial because it affects how you plan your deployment and ongoing maintenance. For instance, you might need to consider compatibility with newer file formats or integrate it with other software that expects more recent Office features. Think about whether your organization values having the latest bells and whistles or prefers a reliable, unchanging environment. This choice will guide whether Office 2016 LTSC is the right fit for you.

Key Benefits of Office 2016 LTSC

• Stability: Get a consistent user experience.
• Long-Term Support: Receive updates for years.
• One-Time Purchase: Avoid subscription fees.

Preparing for Deployment

Okay, let's get ready to deploy! Preparation is key. First, you'll need to download the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) from Microsoft. This tool is your best friend for customizing and automating your Office deployment. Make sure you have a network share accessible to all the computers you're deploying Office to. This share will host the Office installation files and your configuration files. Plan your configuration carefully; decide which Office applications you need (like Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and which ones you can skip. Consider any add-ins or custom settings you want to include during installation. Documenting your plan is super helpful. Create a checklist of all the steps, settings, and applications you need. This will ensure a smooth and consistent deployment across all your machines. Also, think about your users. Communicate the upcoming changes and any potential downtime. Providing clear instructions and support resources can prevent a lot of headaches later on. Finally, test your deployment on a small group of users before rolling it out to everyone. This pilot phase can help you identify and fix any issues before they affect your entire organization. Remember, a well-prepared deployment is a successful deployment!

Downloading the Office Deployment Tool

Head over to the Microsoft website and grab the latest version of the ODT. Once downloaded, run the executable to extract the files. You'll get setup.exe and some sample configuration files.

Creating a Configuration File

The configuration file is where you tell the ODT exactly what to install. It's an XML file that specifies the Office version, applications, update channel, and other settings. You can start with one of the sample files and customize it to fit your needs. Let’s walk through creating a basic configuration file. First, open a text editor like Notepad or VS Code. Start with the root element, <Configuration>. Inside this, you'll define various settings using elements like <Add>, <Updates>, and <Display>. For example, to specify the Office 2016 LTSC version, use the <Add> element with the OfficeClientEdition attribute set to “32” or “64” depending on your system architecture. To include specific applications like Word and Excel, list their IDs within the <Add> element. The <Updates> element allows you to control how Office receives updates. You can specify the update channel and whether to automatically check for updates. The <Display> element lets you control the user interface during installation. You can choose to hide the installation progress or display it to the user. Save your configuration file with a .xml extension, like config.xml. Make sure the XML is well-formed; otherwise, the ODT will throw errors. Test your configuration file by running the ODT with it and checking for any issues. A well-crafted configuration file is the key to a smooth and customized Office deployment. This is where you tailor the installation to meet the specific needs of your organization, ensuring that only the necessary components are installed and configured correctly.

Here’s an example:

<Configuration>
  <Add OfficeClientEdition="64" Channel="PerpetualVL2016">
    <Product ID="Standard2016Volume">
      <Language ID="en-us" />
    </Product>
  </Add>
  <Updates Enabled="TRUE" AutomaticCheckForUpdates="TRUE" />
  <Display Level="None" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />
</Configuration>

This configuration file tells the ODT to install the 64-bit version of Office 2016 LTSC Standard, with English as the language. It also enables automatic updates and suppresses the display during installation.

Deploying Office 2016 LTSC

Alright, now for the fun part – deploying Office! The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) uses the setup.exe file along with your configuration file to download and install Office. First, open your command prompt as an administrator. This is crucial because the ODT needs elevated permissions to make changes to the system. Navigate to the directory where you extracted the ODT files using the cd command. For example, if you extracted the files to C:\ODT, you would type cd C:\ODT and press Enter. Now, you can use the ODT to download the Office installation files. Run the command setup.exe /download config.xml, replacing config.xml with the name of your configuration file. This command tells the ODT to read your configuration file and download the necessary Office files to a local directory. The download process may take some time, depending on your internet connection and the size of the Office installation. Once the download is complete, you’re ready to install Office. Run the command setup.exe /configure config.xml. This command tells the ODT to install Office using the settings specified in your configuration file. The installation process will run silently in the background if you’ve configured it that way. You can monitor the progress by checking the Task Manager or the event logs. After the installation is complete, verify that Office is installed correctly by opening one of the Office applications and checking the version information. Make sure all the applications you selected are present and functioning as expected. Also, check for any error messages or warnings in the event logs. If you encounter any issues, review your configuration file and try the installation again. By following these steps, you can efficiently deploy Office 2016 LTSC across your organization, ensuring that all users have the necessary tools to be productive.

Downloading the Installation Files

Use the following command in the command prompt:

setup.exe /download config.xml

This command downloads the Office 2016 LTSC installation files to your local directory. Make sure you have enough disk space!

Installing Office

Once the files are downloaded, run the installation with this command:

setup.exe /configure config.xml

This command installs Office 2016 LTSC based on the settings in your configuration file. The installation runs silently in the background, so users can continue working without interruption.

Automating Deployment

To make your life easier, let’s automate the deployment process. You can use scripts or deployment tools like Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) to deploy Office 2016 LTSC to multiple computers at once. First, create a script that runs the ODT commands silently. This script can be a simple batch file or a PowerShell script. The script should check for the presence of the ODT and the configuration file, download the Office installation files if they are not already present, and then run the installation. To deploy the script using MECM, create a package that includes the ODT, the configuration file, and the script. Then, create a deployment that targets the computers you want to install Office on. Configure the deployment to run the script silently and automatically. You can also use Group Policy to deploy Office. Create a Group Policy Object (GPO) that runs the script at startup or logon. This ensures that Office is installed on all computers that are part of the domain. Make sure to test your deployment thoroughly before rolling it out to a large number of computers. This will help you identify and fix any issues before they affect a large number of users. By automating the deployment process, you can save a lot of time and effort, especially when deploying Office to a large number of computers. This also ensures consistency and reduces the risk of errors. Remember to document your deployment process and keep your scripts and configuration files up to date. This will make it easier to maintain your Office installation and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. Automating deployments not only saves time but also ensures a standardized and efficient process across the organization.

Using a Script

Here’s a simple batch script example:

@echo off
echo Downloading Office 2016 LTSC...
setup.exe /download config.xml
echo Installing Office 2016 LTSC...
setup.exe /configure config.xml
echo Office 2016 LTSC installed successfully!
pause

Save this as a .bat file and run it as an administrator.

Deploying with MECM

Create a package in MECM with the ODT, your configuration file, and the script. Deploy the package to your target computers, and you’re good to go!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the best planning, issues can pop up. Here are a few common problems and how to tackle them: First off, check your configuration file for errors. A simple typo or incorrect setting can cause the installation to fail. Use an XML validator to ensure your configuration file is well-formed. Another common issue is insufficient disk space. Make sure the target computers have enough free space to download and install Office. The installation files can be quite large, so check that you have at least 10 GB of free space. Connectivity issues can also prevent the installation from completing. Ensure that the computers have a stable internet connection to download the Office files. If you're deploying from a network share, make sure the computers can access the share and that the necessary permissions are set. Sometimes, conflicts with existing software can cause problems. Try uninstalling any conflicting applications before installing Office. Also, check for any pending Windows updates and install them before attempting to install Office. If you're still having trouble, check the Office Deployment Tool logs for error messages. These logs can provide valuable information about what went wrong. The logs are typically located in the %temp% directory. Finally, remember to test your deployment on a small group of computers before rolling it out to everyone. This will help you identify and fix any issues before they affect a large number of users. By following these troubleshooting tips, you can quickly resolve common issues and ensure a smooth Office deployment.

Installation Fails

Double-check your configuration file and ensure there are no typos. Also, verify that the ODT has the necessary permissions.

Download Errors

Make sure the target computers have a stable internet connection and enough disk space.

Compatibility Issues

Check for conflicting software or outdated drivers. Update or remove any conflicting software.

Conclusion

And there you have it! Deploying Office 2016 LTSC doesn't have to be a headache. With the right preparation and tools, you can roll out Office smoothly and efficiently. Happy deploying!