Hey guys! Planning to deploy Office 2019 LTSC? You've come to the right place. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to get Office 2019 LTSC up and running smoothly. We'll cover the Office Deployment Tool (ODT), configuration options, and best practices to ensure a hassle-free installation.

Understanding Office 2019 LTSC

Before diving into the deployment process, let's clarify what Office 2019 LTSC actually is. Office 2019 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is a version of Microsoft Office designed for organizations that need a stable, unchanging feature set over an extended period. Unlike the subscription-based Microsoft 365, Office 2019 LTSC is a one-time purchase that receives only security updates and bug fixes, not new features. This makes it ideal for environments where stability is paramount, such as manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities, and government agencies. The key benefit here is predictability; you know exactly what features you're getting and how they will function for the duration of the support lifecycle.

The Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) is designed for specialized use cases where feature updates are undesirable or impractical. Consider, for example, a medical device running Windows that requires Office for documentation. Introducing new features could potentially disrupt the device's operation or require extensive re-validation. In such scenarios, the stability of LTSC is invaluable. Also, LTSC doesn’t require an internet connection for activation or regular use, although an internet connection is required for initial installation and updates. It’s a standalone product, which means you pay once and use it, without the ongoing subscription fees associated with Microsoft 365. This can be a significant cost saving for organizations that don't need or want the constantly evolving features of the subscription model. This is a critical consideration when budgeting for your organization's software needs. By choosing LTSC, you avoid recurring subscription costs while still benefiting from essential security updates and bug fixes.

Office 2019 LTSC includes familiar applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. However, it's essential to note that some of the newer features found in Microsoft 365 are not included. For instance, AI-powered features, cloud-based services, and real-time collaboration tools are generally absent. Make sure that your users' needs align with the capabilities of Office 2019 LTSC. If they heavily rely on features exclusive to Microsoft 365, then LTSC might not be the right choice. Think carefully about which users in your organization genuinely need the stability of LTSC versus those who would benefit more from the features and flexibility of Microsoft 365. Careful evaluation of user roles and requirements will ensure that you deploy the most appropriate version of Office.

Getting Started with the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)

The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) is a free command-line tool from Microsoft that allows you to customize and automate the installation of Office products. It gives you granular control over which applications are installed, the installation language, and the update channel. The ODT consists of two main files: setup.exe (the tool itself) and configuration.xml (a configuration file that tells the ODT what to do). The ODT is your best friend when deploying Office 2019 LTSC because it provides the flexibility and control needed to tailor the installation to your specific requirements.

First, you need to download the Office Deployment Tool from the Microsoft website. Just search for "Download Office Deployment Tool" on your favorite search engine, and you should find it easily. Once downloaded, run the executable file (officedeploymenttool_xxxx-xxxx.exe, where xxxx-xxxx represents the version number). This will extract setup.exe and a sample configuration.xml file to a location of your choice. I recommend creating a dedicated folder for the ODT, such as C:\ODT, to keep things organized. This dedicated folder will also make it easier to manage your configuration files and installation logs. Keeping your deployment resources organized is essential for maintaining a clean and efficient deployment process.

Next, you'll need to customize the configuration.xml file. This is where you specify which Office applications to install, the product key, the update channel, and other settings. The XML file uses a structured format that can be edited with any text editor. Open the sample configuration.xml file in a text editor like Notepad or Visual Studio Code. You'll see some example configurations. Don't worry, we'll walk through how to modify it for Office 2019 LTSC. The configuration file is the heart of your deployment strategy, so it's important to understand how to configure it correctly. A well-configured XML file ensures that Office is installed according to your organization's specific needs and requirements.

Configuring the configuration.xml File

Let's break down the essential elements of the configuration.xml file. This is where you define exactly how Office 2019 LTSC will be installed. A well-structured configuration file is key to a successful and automated deployment. The root element is <Configuration>, which contains all the settings for the deployment. Inside this element, you'll find various sub-elements that control different aspects of the installation process. Understanding these elements is crucial for customizing the deployment to your specific needs.

The <Add> element specifies the products and applications to install. For Office 2019 LTSC, you'll need to specify the Product ID as ProPlus2019Volume. This tells the ODT to install the volume-licensed version of Office Professional Plus 2019. You also need to specify the PIDKEY attribute with your organization's volume license key. This ensures that Office is properly activated. Within the <Add> element, you can use the <ExcludeApp> element to exclude specific applications, such as Access or Publisher, if they are not needed. This allows you to customize the installation to include only the applications that your users require, reducing the overall installation size and complexity. Make sure to include the correct Product ID and PIDKEY for Office 2019 LTSC. Incorrect values will result in installation errors or activation problems.

Here's a sample <Add> element for Office 2019 LTSC:

<Add OfficeClientEdition="64" Channel="PerpetualVL2019">
  <Product ID="ProPlus2019Volume" PIDKEY="YOUR_VOLUME_LICENSE_KEY">
    <Language ID="en-us" />
    <ExcludeApp ID="Access" />
    <ExcludeApp ID="Publisher" />
  </Product>
</Add>

Replace YOUR_VOLUME_LICENSE_KEY with your actual volume license key. You can also change the Language ID to your desired language. The OfficeClientEdition attribute specifies whether to install the 32-bit or 64-bit version of Office. Choose the appropriate architecture based on your users' needs and system compatibility. In general, the 64-bit version is recommended for modern systems with sufficient memory.

The <Display> element controls the user interface during the installation. You can set the Level attribute to None to perform a silent installation, which means that no user interaction is required. This is ideal for automated deployments. You can also set the AcceptEULA attribute to TRUE to automatically accept the End User License Agreement. This eliminates the need for users to click through the EULA during the installation. A silent installation is particularly useful for large-scale deployments where you want to minimize user disruption. The <Display> element ensures a smooth and seamless installation experience.

Here's a sample <Display> element for a silent installation:

<Display Level="None" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />

The <Updates> element controls how Office receives updates. For Office 2019 LTSC, it's recommended to configure updates to come from a network share. This allows you to control when and how updates are applied. You can specify the UpdatePath attribute to point to a network share where the update files are stored. This ensures that all Office installations receive updates from a centralized location. Using a network share for updates provides greater control over the update process and helps to maintain consistency across your organization.

Here's a sample <Updates> element for configuring updates from a network share:

<Updates Enabled="TRUE" UpdatePath="\\yourserver\updateshare" />

Replace \\yourserver\updateshare with the actual path to your network share.

Deploying Office 2019 LTSC

Now that you've configured the configuration.xml file, you're ready to deploy Office 2019 LTSC. Open a command prompt with administrator privileges. Navigate to the directory where you extracted the ODT (C:\ODT in our example). Then, run the following command to download the Office installation files:

setup.exe /download configuration.xml

This command tells the ODT to download the Office installation files based on the settings in your configuration.xml file. The download process may take some time, depending on your internet connection speed. Once the download is complete, you're ready to install Office. To install Office, run the following command:

setup.exe /configure configuration.xml

This command tells the ODT to install Office using the settings in your configuration.xml file. If you configured a silent installation, the installation will proceed without any user interaction. Otherwise, users will see the Office installation progress. The installation process may take some time, depending on your system's hardware and the number of applications being installed.

Best Practices and Troubleshooting

Here are some best practices and troubleshooting tips for deploying Office 2019 LTSC:

• Test your configuration: Before deploying to a large number of users, test your configuration.xml file on a small group of test machines. This will help you identify any issues and ensure that the installation proceeds smoothly.
• Check the logs: The ODT creates log files in the %temp% directory. These log files can be helpful for troubleshooting installation errors. If you encounter any issues, examine the log files for error messages or warnings.
• Use a network share: Deploying Office from a network share can improve performance and reduce network congestion. This is especially important for large-scale deployments.
• Plan your updates: Regularly update Office 2019 LTSC with the latest security updates and bug fixes. This will help protect your organization from security threats and ensure that Office runs smoothly.
• Antivirus Exclusions: Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with the Office installation process. Consider adding exceptions for the Office installation files and directories in your antivirus software.
• Compatibility: Ensure that your users' systems meet the minimum hardware and software requirements for Office 2019 LTSC. This will prevent compatibility issues and ensure that Office runs properly.
• User Training: Provide training to your users on how to use Office 2019 LTSC. This will help them get the most out of the software and reduce support requests.

Conclusion

Deploying Office 2019 LTSC doesn't have to be a headache. By using the Office Deployment Tool and carefully configuring the configuration.xml file, you can automate the installation process and ensure a smooth deployment. Remember to test your configuration, check the logs, and follow the best practices outlined in this guide. Good luck, and happy deploying! You’ve got this!