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Create custom configurations of Office 2013

  • Article

 

Applies to: Office 2013

Summary: Explains how to use the Office Customization Tool (OCT) and the Config.xml file to customize an Office 2013 Windows Installer-based (MSI) installation.

Audience: IT professionals

You can deploy an initial customized installation of Office 2013 to users in your organization by using the examples that are in this article. A Config.xml file example is included.

In this article:

  • Office Customization Tool versions

  • Create a custom configuration

    • To create a network installation point

    • To use the OCT to customize the installation

    • To use the Config.xml file to set installation options

  • Choose a deployment method

  • Config.xml example

We recommend that you read the following articles before you customize the installation:

Office Customization Tool versions

The Office Customization Tool (OCT), part of the Setup program, is the primary tool that is used to customize a Windows Installer-based Office 2013 client installation. It is included in Volume License versions of Office 2013 such as Office Professional Plus 2013. Before you begin your customizations, you should be aware of the following.

There are two architecture-specific versions of the Office Customization Tool: one for 32-bit Office 2013 and one for 64-bit Office 2013. The 64-bit version of the OCT supports 64-bit client editions of Office 2013, and provides the same user interface, capabilities, and configurable settings as the 32-bit version.

The Office 2013 OCT supports the import of setup customization .msp files:

  • 32-bit Office 2013 .msp files can be imported into the 64-bit OCT, and then they can be used to customize 64-bit Office 2013 products.

  • 64-bit Office 2013 .msp files can be imported into the 32-bit OCT, and then they can be used to customize 32-bit Office 2013 products.

Note

You can import a setup customization .msp file for equivalent cross-architecture products only. For example, you can import a 32-bit Office Professional Plus 2013 customization .msp file into the 64-bit version of the OCT for a 64-bit Office Professional Plus 2013 .msp file. However, you cannot import a 32-bit Word 2013 stand-alone customization .msp file into the 64-bit OCT for a 64-bit Office Professional Plus 2013 .msp file. If you do this, OCT prevents this and displays an error message. You cannot import Office 2010 or Office 2007 Setup customization files (.msp files) into the Office 2013 OCT.

For more information about the OCT, see Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013. For information about 64-bit Office 2013, see 64-bit editions of Office 2013.

For more information about the import feature, see Import an Office 2010 Setup customization file. Although the article is about Office 2010, the information also applies to Office 2013.

Create a custom configuration

The following procedures explain how to deploy a custom configuration by using the OCT and Config.xml.

Note

You can complete tasks in all Office 2013 suites by using a mouse, keyboard shortcuts, or touch. For information about how to use keyboard shortcuts and touch with Office products and services, see Keyboard shortcuts and Office Touch Guide.

To create a network installation point

  1. Copy all the files and folders from the Office 2013 CD to a folder on the network or on your computer. For example, copy the files to \\server\share\Office15.

    Copy all the language packs and additional Office products that you want to deploy to the same network installation point. When you are prompted to overwrite duplicate Setup files, click No. For more information, see Create a network installation point in Customize Setup before installing Office 2013

Use the Office Customization Tool (OCT) to customize Setup, and configure additional customizations and installation options. This creates a Setup customization file (.msp file). For a complete description of the areas that you can configure by using the OCT, see Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013. In the following example, a new Setup customization .msp file is created.

To use the OCT to customize the installation

  1. From the root of the network installation point that you created previously, run the following command-line option to start the OCT: setup.exe /admin. For example, use the following: \\server\share\Office15\setup.exe /admin.

  2. In the Select Product dialog box, select Create a new Setup customization file for the following product to create a new customization file (for example, for Office Professional Plus 2013 (32-bit)). Choose OK.

    The OCT user interface is displayed, and you can then configure settings in the following areas: Setup, Features, Additional content, and Outlook.

  3. Customize Setup to specify how you want Setup to manage the installation. Use the Setup section of the OCT to configure options such as the default installation location, default organization name, additional network locations that contain the Office 2013 sources, product key, Microsoft Software License Terms, level of user interface to be displayed, and earlier versions of Office to remove.

    The product key option depends on the Office 2013 licensing method that you use. The following options are available in Licensing and user interface:

    1. Use KMS client key   A product key entry is not required for enterprise deployments that use Key Management Service (KMS) activation because all Volume License editions of Office 2013 have a KMS client key pre-installed. KMS is one of the methods that are provided by Office Activation Technologies for activating products that are licensed under Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. Only a KMS host computer needs a KMS host key to be activated and to establish a local activation service in your environment. Office 2013 connects to the local KMS host for activation. Use KMS client key is the default. For information about how to configure the KMS host, see Prepare and set up the Office 2013 KMS host.

      Similar to KMS activation, which activates all Office Volume License clients that are connected to a KMS host, Active Directory-Based Activation activates all Office Volume License clients in an Active Directory domain. For more information about Active Directory-Based Activation, see Active Directory-based activation of Office 2013. Note that KMS and MAK are supported on Windows 7 and Windows 8. Active Directory-Based activation is supported only on Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2.

      For more information about volume activation, see Plan volume activation of Office 2013, KMS activation of Office 2013, and Volume activation of Office 2013.

    2. Enter another product key   You can enter a valid Multiple Activation Key (MAK) key in the OCT by using the Enter another product key entry. A MAK key is another method that Office Activation Technologies provide for activating products that are licensed under Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. By using a MAK, clients activate Office 2013 online by using the Microsoft hosted activation servers or by telephone. To use a MAK key, in the Enter another product key text box, enter the MAK key (twenty-five numbers or characters) without spaces. For more information about how to use a MAK key, see KMS activation of Office 2013.

    Expand the Display level menu to set the behavior of the user interface during installation. In enterprise deployments, we recommend that you set Display level to None to make sure that Setup runs silently, to prevent prompting users to enter information, and to prevent the installation from waiting for any user interaction. This includes when files are being used. Setting Display Level to None selects the Suppress modal option. Select the Completion notice and I accept the terms in the License Agreement options to make sure that the installation is silent. You can also configure display level options by using the Config.xml file; see Display element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    You can also configure Office security settings if you want to provide an initial default configuration of security settings. For information, see Office security settings in Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013.

    Important

    Although you can use the OCT to specify initial default security settings in a Setup customization file (.msp file), users can change the settings after installation. To enforce security settings, you must use Group Policy. For more information about security settings, see Overview of security in Office 2013.

    For more detailed information, see Customize Setup before installing Office 2013.

  4. Use the Features section to configure feature installation states. For information, see Set feature installation states in Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013.

    For each application that you want to add to the installation, set the installation option to Run all from My Computer or Installed on First Use in the details pane. For example, to install Outlook 2013, expand Microsoft Office and change the installation option for Microsoft Office Outlook to Run all from My Computer.

    For applications that you do not want to install, set the installation option to Not Available in the details pane. The application name is set to bold to show that you have changed its installation option.

    To prevent users from installing this application themselves, select the Hidden and Locked options. The symbols [H] and [L] are added to the application name to indicate that these options are set.

    Important

    The Hidden option is not reversible. After it is set, a Hidden feature will not be displayed in the feature tree during or after installation. You cannot use another Config.xml file or apply a second .msp file after the initial installation to “unhide” a feature.
    The feature remains hidden even if you opt to change the installation by using Programs and Features in Control Panel to change the Office 2013 installation.
    It will also not be displayed in the Office Setup feature installation tree under the Add or Remove Features option for Office 2013. Though the feature remains hidden, you can unlock the feature to install and run it locally later by using an .msp file or a Config.xml file. For more information, see Set feature installation states in Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013.
    The Locked option is reversible. If you set the Locked option for a feature by using the OCT or the Config.xml during initial installation, you can later unlock and install the feature locally by using a customization .msp file or a Config.xml file.
    For example, you can customize the Config.xml file to modify the OptionState element and add the following line to uninstall the feature (Access in this case) on the user's computer and set child features of the feature to the specified state:
    <OptionState Id=”ACCESSFiles” State=”Absent” Children=”force” />
    For information about the OptionState element, see Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.
    You can also use the OCT to create a customization .msp file to install the feature later by setting the feature installation state to Run All from My Computer on the Set feature installation states screen.

  5. Use the Modify user settings section (under Features) to specify the user settings that you want to apply. For information, see Modify user settings in Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013.

    Use the Modify user settings section to set the default values of Office application settings for users who install Office with this customization file.

    To configure an option, expand the navigation tree, and then choose the user interface element that you want to configure. The configurable settings that are associated with that element appear on the details pane. You can specify one of the following options:

    Not Configured   The setting remains as it is.

    Enabled   The setting is changed according to the selections that you make on the setting's Properties page.

    Disabled   The setting is disabled. Note that disabling an option may differ from not configuring the option. See the description of the specific option for more information.

    Note

    Use of the OCT to configure user settings establishes the initial default values for the settings. Users can change most of the settings after Office is installed. If you want to enforce user settings, use Group Policy.

    You can also use Group Policy settings to mandate settings for Outlook. You can manage the following Outlook areas by using Group Policy:

    • Specify the COM add-ins that are trusted.

    • Customize cryptographic options.

    • Configure Outlook Junk E-mail Filter settings. For more information, see Configure junk email settings in Outlook 2013.

    • Configure the method that Outlook uses for security settings.

    • Configure attachment settings.

    • Configure programmatic security settings.

    • Customize ActiveX options and custom forms settings.

    • Disable folder home pages.

  6. You can use the Additional content section of the OCT to configure the following options:

  7. You can use the Outlook section (Outlook in Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013) of the OCT to configure the following Outlook areas:

  8. When you complete your customizations, choose Save As on the File menu, specify a path and file name for the Setup customization file, and then choose Save.

    For initial installations, you can save the custom .msp file in the Updates folder on the network installation point. When Setup runs, it searches the Updates folder on the installation point for a customization file that is specific to the product that is being installed.

    Note

    If you plan to deploy multiple Setup customization files (.msp files), you can place only one customization .msp file for each Office 2013 product that you are installing in the Updates folder for an initial installation. You must deploy the rest of the customization .msp files after the Office installation is completed. Only one Setup customization .msp file per product in the Updates folder is supported. The customization .msp files that you place in the Updates folder will be deployed first. Therefore, they must include any Setup customizations that cannot be changed after the installation, for example, the installation location.
    If you do not put the customization file in the Updates folder, you can use the Setup command-line option /adminfile to specify the fully qualified path of the folder in which you store the custom .msp file. For example, setup.exe /adminfile \server\share\myNewUpdatesFolder.
    You can also specify the location of the folder that contains your .msp files in the Config.xml file by using the SUpdateLocation attribute of the SetupUpdates element. For more information about SetupUpdates, see SetupUpdates element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

You can use the Config.xml file to customize many of the same options that you can configure by using the Office Customization Tool. This includes some additional options that are not available in the OCT. For a complete description of the areas that you can configure in Config.xml, see Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

To specify installation options, such as the path of the network installation point, the product to install, and custom setup options, and to specify the languages to install, use the Config.xml file that is located in the root of the product folder for the product that you are installing.

To edit the Config.xml file, use a text editor, such as Notepad.

To use the Config.xml file to set installation options

  1. To modify the display options that users see during installation, locate the line in the Config.xml file that contains the Display element:

    <!-- <Display Level="full" CompletionNotice="yes" SuppressModal="no" AcceptEula="no" /> -->

    To prevent user intervention during the installation and to specify display options, you can modify the Display element information as shown in the following example:

    <Display Level="none" CompletionNotice="no" SuppressModal="yes" AcceptEula="yes" />

    For information, see Display element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

  2. To specify additional languages to install, use the AddLanguage elements and attributes in the Config.xml file.

    Note

    If you are adding more than one AddLanguage element, you must add the ShellTransform attribute of the AddLanguage element. This attribute specifies the language that Setup uses for the shell user interface.
    For example, to specify that Setup install full English, French, German, and Spanish language support along with the user’s default regional options language as the default installation language, you add the following AddLanguage elements and attributes in the Config.xml file:
    <AddLanguage Id="match" ShellTransform="yes"/> <AddLanguage Id="en-us" /> <AddLanguage Id="fr-fr" /> <AddLanguage Id="de-de" /> <AddLanguage Id="es-es" />

    In the previous example, Setup installs all specified languages plus the language that matches the user's locale, if that language is different and is available in the installation source. For more information, see AddLanguage element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    You can also use the Config.xml file to configure additional options such as the following:

    • Specify the path of the network installation point. For information, see DistributionPoint element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    • Specify the 25-character volume license key. The equivalent option in the OCT is the Product key setting in the Licensing and user interface section. As mentioned previously, a product key entry is not required for enterprise deployments that use Key Management Service (KMS) activation because all Volume License editions of Office 2013 have a KMS client key pre-installed. KMS is one of the methods that are provided by Office Activation Technologies for activating products that are licensed under Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. However, administrators must make sure that appropriate Office 2013 KMS host licenses are installed and a valid KMS host key is installed, and the key is activated against Microsoft hosted activation servers. You can install Office 2013 KMS host licenses by running the Microsoft Office 2013 KMS Host License Pack. Office 2013 connects to the local KMS host for activation. By default, the Use KMS client key option is selected in the OCT. For more information, see Licensing and user interface in Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013. For information about volume activation, see Plan volume activation of Office 2013 and KMS activation of Office 2013.

      A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) key is another method that Office Activation Technologies provide for activating products that are licensed under Microsoft Volume Licensing programs. By using a MAK, clients activate Office 2013 online by using Microsoft-hosted activation servers or by telephone. Administrators can use the Config.xml file or the OCT to enter a MAK key.

      To enter a MAK key in the Config.xml file, you add the 25-character product key as shown in the following example, where AAAAABBBBBCCCCCDDDDDEEEEE represents the product key:

      <PIDKEY Value=" AAAAABBBBBCCCCCDDDDDEEEEE " />

      For more information, see PIDKEY element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    • Specify the fully qualified path of the folder on users' computers in which the product is installed. For information, see INSTALLLOCATION element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    • Specify logging options for Setup. For information, see Logging element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    • Specify how the local installation source (LIS) is cached on the user's computer. For more information, see LIS element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    • Set the user or company name for the user on whose computer the product is being installed. For information, see USERNAME element and COMPANYNAME element in Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

    You can use the Config.xml file to customize many of the same options that you can configure by using the Office Customization Tool. This includes some additional options that are not available in the OCT. For a complete description of the areas that you can configure in Config.xml, see Config.xml file reference for Office 2013.

  3. When you complete the Config.xml customizations, save the Config.xml file. You can use the /config Setup command-line option to specify the location of the Config.xml file, as shown in the following example:

    \\server\share\setup.exe /config \\server\share\ProPlus.WW\config.xml

    For information about the /config Setup command-line option, see /config [path] in Setup command-line options reference for Office 2013.

    To see an example of a custom Config.xml file, see Config.xml example. For information about how to set silent installation options, see Configure a silent installation of Office 2013.

Choose a deployment method

To install Office 2013 on users' computers, you can use one of the following approaches, depending on your particular environment and requirements:

  • Use the precached local installation source to install Office on users' computers. When you deploy Office 2013, Setup creates a local installation source on the user's computer — a copy of the compressed source files for the Office product that you are installing. After the files are copied to the user's computer, Setup completes the installation from the local installation source. To minimize the load on the network, you can deploy the local installation source to users' computers separately, before you deploy Office.

    To use this approach, perform the followings tasks:

  • On the user's computer, run Setup.exe from the root of the network installation point.

  • To deploy Office to users who are not administrators of their computers, you can use one of the following methods.

    Log on to the computer as an administrator and install Office 2013.

    -or-

    Use an enterprise deployment method such as the following:

    • Use Microsoft System Center 2012 Configuration Manager. If you manage lots of clients in a complex or quickly changing environment, System Center 2012 Configuration Manager is the recommended method for installing and maintaining Office 2013 in medium- and large-sized organizations. Configuration Manager offers sophisticated functionality, such as inventory, scheduling, and reporting features.

    • If you have deployed Active Directory and Group Policy in your organization, you can use Group Policy to assign computer startup scripts to deploy Office 2013.

    • You can deploy Office 2013 (MSI) by using virtualization technologies, such as Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) and Remote Desktop Services.

    • You can also deploy an image of an installation that includes the operating system and Office 2013.

Config.xml example

The following example shows a Config.xml file for an installation of Office Professional Plus 2013. The following options are used in this example:

  • Display Level is set to turn off the Setup user interface, hide error messages and other dialog boxes, and accept the Microsoft License Terms.

  • Verbose logging is turned on (Logging Type value is set to verbose), and log files are stored in the AppInst folder.

  • INSTALLLOCATION specifies the fully qualified path of the folder on the user's computer in which the product is installed.

  • LIS SOURCELIST provides a list, separated by semicolons, of the network installation points that contain the installation files for the product. The equivalent option in the OCT is Additional network sources.

  • Setting Id specifies the suppress reboot option (SETUP_REBOOT value is set to NEVER).

  • OptionState element specifies to uninstall the feature (Access in this case) on the user's computer and sets child features of the feature to the same specified state.

<Configuration Product="ProPlus">

          <Display Level="none" CompletionNotice="no" SuppressModal="yes" AcceptEula="yes" />

          <Logging Type="verbose" Path="%SYSADMINROOT%\Log\AppInst\Office2013" Template="Microsoft Office 2013 Professional Plus Setup(*).txt" />     

          <INSTALLLOCATION Value="%programfiles%\Microsoft Office" />

          <LIS SOURCELIST Value="\\server1\share\Office15;\\server2\share\Office15" />

          <Setting Id="SETUP_REBOOT" Value="NEVER" />

          <OptionState Id="ACCESSFiles" State="absent" Children="force" />

</Configuration>

See also

Office Customization Tool (OCT) reference for Office 2013
Config.xml file reference for Office 2013
Plan volume activation of Office 2013
KMS activation of Office 2013
Configure a silent installation of Office 2013
Overview of Setup architecture for Office 2013
Use Office Customization Tool (OCT) to change users' configurations after installing Office 2013