Problem:
Many Liquidware customers want to deliver the standard Microsoft Office Suite in the base image of a virtual desktop deployment while layering in Visio or Project for end users that need access to those add on applications that require a separate license. Liquidware has developed this recipe to accomplish the task.
Resolution:
Prerequisite
This Knowledge Base article is for Office365 - If you are trying to package Visio or Project 2019, see this KB article instead: FlexApp Packaging Office 2019
The FPC (FlexApp Packaging Console) and VDI base image should be well-managed and cannot have had Office previously installed (even if uninstalled which would leave it in a tainted state). This includes the parent VDI image that will be used as the target.
FPC should follow best practices similar to what’s outlined here: https://docs.liquidware.com/profileunity/en-us/685/flexapp-packaging-console-best-practices/685-flexapp-console-best-practices-overview.htm
Please review https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/install-different-office-visio-and-project-versions-on-the-same-computer for Microsoft supported installation scenarios for version control.
Office 365 Products would need to include “Shared Computer Licensing” as outlined here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployoffice/overview-shared-computer-activation for installation xml’s and would need to be from same installation channel.
Requirements:
**NOTE** Office LTSC must be captured on FPC versions 6.8.4.7654-7842, NOT versions 6.8.4.8077 and newer
- Currently, 685 FPC does not work for O365
- FlexApp Packaging Console version 6.8.4 R1. Download 6.8.4.7842 here.
- ProfileUnity Client Tools version 6.8.4 or later
- Windows 10 or 11 (32-bit or 64-bit) FlexApp packaging machine
- OfficeSetup.exe - Downloaded from your Office 365 account page
- Accompanying XML files, linked at the bottom. (Based on desired Office install architecture)
- Please ensure that the Addon, Visio, and Project is supported by ensuring that it uses ODT to install. This can be found by checking this list: Product IDs that are supported by the Office Deployment Tool for Click-to-Run - Office 365 | Microsoft Learn
- If installing a non-matching version of Visio, please ensure that the configurations are matching. (Refer to Supported scenarios for installing different versions of Office, Project, and Visio on the same computer - Deploy Office | Microsoft Learn for more information)
Step 1) Base image Office Installation (Required)
Before Visio and/or Project can be applied to the base image, Microsoft Office needs to be installed in the base image. This process also is necessary on the FlexApp Packager (FPC - FlexApp Packaging Console) to add Office prior to capturing the Visio and Project packages.
- Download the Office Deployment Tool
(https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49117) - “Install” the Office Deployment Tool to C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment
- Unpack the attached Liquidware Office Templates found in the attached “FlexApp Office 365.zip” to C:\MISC\Sofware\Office365
- Install Office using the deployment tool and the CoreOffice.xml template:
For 64bit installations:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe /configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x64\OfficeXMLs\CoreOffice.xml
For 32bit installations:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe /configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x86\OfficeXMLs\CoreOffice.xml
- While not necessary, reboot the base image or the FlexApp packager after the Office installation is complete.
Step 2) Flex App Packager - FPC
It is assumed that the FlexApp Packager was built from an ISO image and that the build of the packager follows the best practices outlined here: https://docs.liquidware.com/profileunity/en-us/685/flexapp-packaging-console-best-practices/685-flexapp-console-best-practices-overview.htm
Once the FlexApp Packager is built, the process above can be utilized to install (Not capture) Office into the FlexApp Packager console. Consider having a snapshot prior to the Office installation as well as After the Office installation, with these snapshots it is easy to revert to a point without Office if needed.
Once the FlexApp Packager is updated with locally installed MS Office, shutdown the virtual machine and create a snapshot to allow for a rollback after the captures.
Step 3a) Capturing Visio
Utilizing the FlexApp Packager console, the Visio application can be captured and edited to work with the base image core Office installation.
- Reset the FPC to the Snapshot created above (if needed)
- Log into the FPC Windows login
- Log Into the FlexApp Packaging Console
- Create a new package for Visio
- Visio can be installed using two methods, either by placing the command below in the Installer Location of the FPC shown in the screenshot above or running these commands after starting the capture.
For 64bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe
/configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x64\OfficeXMLs\Visio.xml
For 32bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe
/configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x86\OfficeXMLs\Visio.xml - Start the capture
- If the command wasn't placed within the Installer Location, run the commands from step 6 in a CMD or Powershell window.
For 64bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe /configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x64\OfficeXMLs\Visio.xml
For 32bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe /configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x86\OfficeXMLs\Visio.xml
- Once Visio is finished installing, Finish and Save the FlexApp Package
Step 3b) Capturing Project
Utilizing the FlexApp Packager console, the Project application can be captured and edited to work with the base image core Office installation.
- Reset the FPC to the Snapshot created above (if needed)
- Log into the FPC Windows login
- Log Into the FlexApp Packaging Console
- Create a new package for Project
- Project can be installed using two methods, either by placing the command below in the Installer Location field of the FPC shown in the screenshot above or running these commands after starting the capture.
For 64bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe
/configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x64\OfficeXMLs\Project.xml
For 32bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe
/configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x86\OfficeXMLs\Project.xml - Start the capture
- If the command wasn't placed within the Installer Location, run the commands from step 6 in a CMD or Powershell window.
For 64bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe /configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x64\OfficeXMLs\Project.xml
For 32bit:
C:\MISC\Software\Office365Deployment\setup.exe /configure C:\MISC\Software\Office365\x86\OfficeXMLs\Project.xml
- Once Project is finished installing, Finish and Save the FlexApp Package
Product: ProfileUnity-FlexApp
Product Version: 6.8.4
Updated: February 21, 2022