ConfigMgr 2012 / SCCM 2012 SP1 Step by Step Guide Part 20: Software Distribution - Office 2013

ConfigMgr 2012 / SCCM 2012 SP1 Step by Step Guide Part 20: Software Distribution - Office 2013

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Part 18 described how to create and deploy a Config Mgr application using an MSI file. Part 19 described how to create an application using an EXE file (manually creating the deployment type and detection method).

Creating the Office 2013 Config Mgr Application is a hybrid of the two with a twist.

Office 2013 is installed using setup.exe. However the Windows Installer information can be determined from an MSI found in the installation files (proplusww.msi).

The twist is that you use the Office Customisation Tool (OCT) to customise the settings and prepare for unattended installation (note OCT is only available with Volume Licensing copies of Office)

Copy the installation files to a folder and open command prompt.

Browse to the root of the Office 2013 folder

Enter setup.exe /admin to launch the OCT

Choose to Create a new setup file

OCT launches

Choose default

Browse to "Licensing and User Information". Choose to Accept the License terms. Choose "None" as the Display Level and select "Supress Modal".

Note that this is not an in-place upgrade. Earlier versions of Office products are uninstalled.

Click Add for additional configuration

Note that the name must be in capitals. We don't want the installation to force a reboot.

 Save the file in the Updates folder (call it whateveryoulike.msp)

Close OCT

Now we create the Config Mgr application

Launch Create Application Wizard

Select Automatically detect information about this application from installation files and browse to the file PROPLUSWW.msi

Note if you are using Office 2013 Standard then you choose Standardww.Msi 

Config Mgr interrogates the MSI and discovers the Windows Installer details

Note that the installation details are now incorrect. We will edit them later. Click Next.

Now we must change the installation parameters. Open the properties of the newly created Application

Choose the Deployment Types tab.

Select Edit.

Select the Programs tab

Replace the installation program field with setup.exe . Leave the uninstall field alone.

On the Content tab, modify the content location to the Office 2010 root media

Click Apply

OK to close Deployment Type

OK to close Application

The application is now ready to be distributed and deployed