How to Use Office Deployment Tool (ODT) 2026 – Step-by-Step Guide with XML Examples
Introduction
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is Microsoft’s go-to solution for installing, configuring, and deploying Office at scale. Whether you're setting up Microsoft 365 across an organization or installing a specific Office version with precision, ODT gives you full control.
If you're installing Office 2024, avoid these common pitfalls by reviewing our guide on common Office 2024 installation mistakes.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What the Office Deployment Tool is
- How to download and configure it
- How to use XML files for custom installations
- Advanced deployment scenarios and real-world use cases
- Step-by-step setup instructions
- Common issues and how to fix them
What is the Office Deployment Tool?
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is a Microsoft command-line utility used to download, configure, and install Office products using XML configuration files.
It allows IT administrators and advanced users to:
- Customize Office installations
- Choose specific versions (Microsoft 365, Office 2024, LTSC)
- Control update channels
- Deploy Office across multiple devices
Instead of using the standard installer, ODT provides granular control over every aspect of deployment.
Key Features of the Office Deployment Tool
The Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is a powerful solution for administrators who need greater control over Microsoft 365 Apps installation and deployment. Instead of relying only on the standard Office installer, ODT allows IT professionals to customize applications, languages, installation options, and update settings through a configuration XML file.
1. Customized Office Installation
The Office Deployment Tool allows administrators to create a custom Office installation based on the organization's requirements. Specific Office applications can be included or excluded during deployment.
With ODT, administrators can:
- Select the Microsoft 365 Apps edition to install
- Choose 32-bit or 64-bit Office
- Install specific Office applications
- Exclude applications that are not required
- Select preferred Office languages
- Customize the installation experience
This makes ODT particularly useful when deploying Office across multiple computers with different requirements.
2. XML-Based Configuration
One of the most important features of the Office Deployment Tool is its XML-based configuration system. The configuration.xml file defines how Office should be downloaded, installed, configured, and updated.
Administrators can use XML configuration to control:
- Office product selection
- Installation architecture
- Language packs
- Installation source
- Excluded applications
- Display settings
- Update channels
- Update locations
For larger deployments, Microsoft also recommends using the Office Customization Tool to create and manage configuration files more easily.
3. Offline and Network-Based Office Deployment
ODT can be used to download Microsoft 365 Apps installation files to a local folder or network location. These files can then be used to deploy Office to client computers without downloading the complete installation package separately for every device.
This approach can help organizations:
- Reduce repeated downloads
- Save network bandwidth
- Maintain a central Office installation source
- Deploy Office across multiple computers
- Support controlled enterprise deployment environments
Microsoft documents both local and network-based deployment scenarios for the Office Deployment Tool.
4. Flexible Office Update Management
The Office Deployment Tool provides administrators with greater control over Microsoft 365 Apps updates. Through the XML configuration file, administrators can specify update settings, update channels, and update sources.
Organizations can configure options such as:
- Enable or disable automatic updates
- Specify an Office update channel
- Use a network location for updates
- Define a target Office version
- Control how Office updates are distributed
This makes ODT useful for organizations that need a structured Microsoft 365 Apps update management strategy.
5. Enterprise-Ready Office Deployment
The Office Deployment Tool for Microsoft 365 Apps is especially useful for IT administrators managing Office installations across multiple computers. It provides centralized configuration and deployment options that are more suitable for business and enterprise environments than a basic manual installation.
ODT can help IT teams:
- Standardize Office installations
- Deploy selected applications
- Manage multiple languages
- Control update behavior
- Maintain consistent configurations
- Deploy Office from a centralized network location
Microsoft describes ODT as a tool for controlling Office deployment across client computers and recommends it for customized deployment scenarios.
6. Useful Office Deployment Tool Commands
ODT is controlled from the Windows Command Prompt using setup.exe and a configuration XML file. Some of the most commonly used commands include:
Download Office installation files:
setup.exe /download configuration.xml
Install or configure Office:
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
Apply customized application preferences:
setup.exe /customize configuration.xml
Display ODT command-line help:
setup.exe /?
These commands allow administrators to download Office files, deploy configured installations, and apply application preferences according to their deployment requirements.
7. Better Control Over Office Applications
Another advantage of ODT is the ability to control which applications are installed. For example, administrators can use the ExcludeApp element in the XML configuration file to prevent specific Office applications from being installed.
This can help organizations create a leaner Microsoft 365 Apps installation containing only the applications employees actually need.
8. Suitable for Windows Server and Business Environments
The Office Deployment Tool is commonly used as part of centralized Microsoft 365 Apps deployment and management workflows in business and IT environments. For organizations managing Office installations alongside Windows Server infrastructure, ODT can provide a structured way to configure and distribute Office applications.
For Windows Server administrators, it is also important to understand that Office deployment and Windows Server licensing are separate topics. Your licensing and activation requirements should be reviewed according to the specific Microsoft products and license agreements involved.
Office Deployment Tool Commands
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) uses command-line instructions to download, install, configure, update, and customize Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows computers. The commands work with the setup.exe file and a configuration XML file, which controls the Office products, languages, installation options, and update settings.
1. Download Office Installation Files
Use the following command to download Microsoft 365 Apps installation files according to your XML configuration:
setup.exe /download configuration.xml
This is useful when you want to download Office installation files before deploying them to one or multiple computers.
2. Install Microsoft 365 Apps
After downloading the required Office files, use the /configure command to install Office using your XML configuration:
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
The configuration file determines which Office products, languages, architecture, and installation settings are applied.
3. Customize an Existing Office Installation
The /customize command allows administrators to apply application preferences to an existing Microsoft 365 Apps installation:
setup.exe /customize configuration.xml
This mode is designed specifically for applying application preferences without changing the other deployment settings.
4. Display ODT Help
To view the available Office Deployment Tool command-line help, use:
setup.exe /help
This can be useful when checking the supported command syntax before starting an Office deployment.
5. Download Office from a Network Location
For organizations using a centralized network deployment, you can specify the full path to the ODT and configuration file:
\\Server\Share\Office\setup.exe /download \\Server\Share\Office\configuration.xml
This approach can be useful when maintaining Office installation files on a shared network location. Microsoft documents network-based deployment as a supported ODT scenario.
6. Install Office from a Network Share
To install Microsoft 365 Apps using an XML configuration file stored on a network share:
\\Server\Share\Office\setup.exe /configure \\Server\Share\Office\configuration.xml
The administrator should ensure that the required permissions and network access are available before starting the deployment.
7. Example 64-Bit Office Configuration
A basic configuration file can specify the 64-bit Microsoft 365 Apps edition and English language:
<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition="64">
<Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
<Language ID="en-us" />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>
The OfficeClientEdition attribute controls whether the 32-bit or 64-bit edition is installed, while the Language element specifies the Office language.
8. Configure Office Updates
ODT can also define how Microsoft 365 Apps receives updates through the XML configuration file:
<Updates Enabled="TRUE" />
For organizations using a centralized update location, an update path can also be specified:
<Updates Enabled="TRUE" UpdatePath="\\Server\Share\OfficeUpdates" />
This provides administrators with additional control over Microsoft 365 Apps update management.
9. Exclude Specific Office Applications
Administrators can use the ExcludeApp element to prevent selected Office applications from being installed. For example:
<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition="64">
<Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
<Language ID="en-us" />
<ExcludeApp ID="Publisher" />
</Product>
</Add>
</Configuration>
This is useful when an organization wants a customized Office installation containing only the applications employees need.
10. Recommended ODT Command Workflow
For a typical Microsoft 365 Apps deployment, the process is:
Step 1 — Create the XML configuration
configuration.xml
Step 2 — Download Office files
setup.exe /download configuration.xml
Step 3 — Install Office
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
Step 4 — Apply application preferences if required
setup.exe /customize preferences.xml
This workflow gives administrators a structured way to download, install, configure, and customize Microsoft 365 Apps using the Office Deployment Tool.
Office Deployment Tool Requirements
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Windows 10 or later
- Administrator privileges
- Internet connection (for initial download)
Optional:
- A text editor (for editing XML files)
Download Office Deployment Tool
To get started, you’ll need to download Office Deployment Tool directly from Microsoft.
What’s included in the download:
- setup.exe (deployment engine)
- Sample configuration.xml file
Tip: Always download the latest version of ODT to ensure compatibility with:
- Microsoft 365 Apps
- Office 2024
- Office LTSC
If you're installing Office LTSC 2024, follow our complete guide on how to download, install, and activate Microsoft Office LTSC 2024 Professional Plus.
Conclusion
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) 2026 is more than just an installer — it’s a complete deployment framework for organizations and IT administrators. With ODT, you gain full control over Office installations, including app selection, language preferences, update channels, and offline deployment options. Whether deploying Microsoft 365, Office 2024, or Office LTSC across multiple devices, ODT ensures a smooth, efficient, and error-free installation process. Using verified product keys from codesforever, businesses can streamline deployments, reduce bandwidth usage, and maintain consistent Office environments across their networks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: The Office Deployment Tool is a Microsoft utility that allows IT administrators and advanced users to customize, install, and manage Office products. It enables control over which apps and languages are installed, update settings, and deployment across multiple devices.
A: Yes. ODT is free to download directly from the official Microsoft Download Center.
A: Yes. ODT is an official Microsoft product. To activate the software installed with ODT, you need a valid product key, such as an Office LTSC Professional Plus 2024 key from codesforever.
- A: Yes. Using the correct XML configuration and command-line syntax, ODT allows silent installations without user interaction.
A: ODT provides flexibility and granular control: choose which Office apps to install, configure languages, control update channels, perform offline deployments, and manage installations at scale — all features not available with the standard installer.