Microsoft 365 Installation Problems

How to Install Microsoft 365 Apps on a Shared Conference Room PC

Huda Qurayshi Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

An organization needs to allow multiple licensed users to access Microsoft 365 desktop applications on a single shared conference room computer.

How to Install Microsoft 365 Apps on a Shared Conference Room PC

Product: Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Multiple users with Office 365 E3 licenses need to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on a single shared computer without running into individual activation limits or account conflicts.
Observed behavior: Standard Microsoft 365 installations link the activation to the single user who installs it, requiring a specific deployment method to handle multiple daily sign-ins on a shared workstation.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on the shared conference room PC and that all users intending to use the software have active Microsoft 365 or Office 365 E3 licenses.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Shared Computer Activation using the Office Deployment Tool

Use the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to configure a shared activation state. This allows any user with a valid license to sign in and use Office temporarily without counting against their personal device limits.

Shared computer activation is required when multiple users share the same device. Instead of activating the device permanently under one account, Office checks the individual user's license each time they log in.

Download the Office Deployment Tool

Navigate to the Microsoft Download Center and download the latest version of the Office Deployment Tool (ODT). Extract the files to a local folder on the conference room PC.

Configure the deployment XML file

Open the extracted configuration.xml file in a text editor like Notepad. Ensure you add the following line within the <Display> or <Property> section: <Property Name="SharedComputerLicensing" Value="1" />. Save the file.

Run the deployment tool

Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Navigate to the folder where you extracted the ODT and run the following command: setup.exe /configure configuration.xml. This will download and install the Microsoft 365 Apps.

Sign in as a licensed user

Once installation is complete, open any Office application like Word or Excel. The user must sign in with their organizational Microsoft 365 account to activate the session.

Enable Shared Computer Activation using the Office Deployment Tool

Licensing Requirements: For this deployment to work, every user signing into the shared PC must be assigned a license that supports Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, such as Office 365 E3 or E5.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Hassle-Free Shared Computers

If configuring XML deployment policies and managing complex shared computer activation for Microsoft 365 is too burdensome for a simple conference room, WPS Office provides a robust, easy-to-install alternative. It works right out of the box and seamlessly handles standard Office documents.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer directly to the conference room PC.
2. Install globally on the PC: Run the installer. WPS Office installs quickly and is immediately accessible to any local user profile on that computer.
3. Open and edit files effortlessly: Users can insert their USB drives or download email attachments and double-click any Microsoft Office file to open it in WPS Office without needing individual license checks.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)No complex shared computer activation XML scripts requiredExtremely lightweight installation, perfect for general-use conference room PCsFamiliar tabbed interface allows guest users to start presenting or editing immediatelyCompletely free for standard document processing tasks

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shared computer activation count against a user's five-device limit?

No. When Microsoft 365 Apps are installed with shared computer activation enabled, the usage on that specific conference room PC does not count against the user's standard limit of five concurrent device installations.

What happens if an unlicensed user tries to use Office on the shared PC?

If a user without a valid Microsoft 365 desktop app license signs in, the Office applications will open in reduced functionality mode. The user will only be able to view and print documents, but cannot edit or create new ones.

Can I use shared computer activation with Microsoft 365 Business Basic?

No, Microsoft 365 Business Basic does not include rights for the desktop versions of Office applications. You must have a plan that includes desktop apps, such as Microsoft 365 Business Premium or Office 365 E3/E5.

Installation & Activation