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Office Installation Errors

How to Install Office 2021 Pro LTSC and Visio 2021 Pro LTSC

Steve KSteve K Oct 15, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to install Office 2021 Professional Plus LTSC and Visio 2021 Professional LTSC locally without relying on the Microsoft 365 admin center for deployment.

How to Install Office 2021 Pro LTSC and Visio 2021 Pro LTSC
Product
Microsoft Office 2021 LTSC, Visio 2021 LTSC
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Deploying volume-licensed LTSC versions of Office and Visio using configuration files instead of traditional executable installers.
Observed behavior
The user requires the correct deployment method and tools to bypass the Microsoft 365 admin center and successfully install the software.
Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer and have downloaded the latest version of the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) from the Microsoft Download Center.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Office Customization Tool and Office Deployment Tool

Generate a custom configuration file using the web-based Office Customization Tool, then execute it locally with the Office Deployment Tool to install the software.

Unlike standard consumer versions of Office, LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) products do not provide a standalone executable installer. They strictly require the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to interpret an XML configuration file, download the necessary installation files, and deploy the software.

1
Generate the configuration file

Navigate to the Microsoft Office Customization Tool (config.office.com) in your web browser. Under the 'Products' section, select 'Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021' and 'Visio LTSC Professional 2021' from the respective dropdown menus.

2
Export the XML file

Configure your language, installation settings, and update preferences. Once finished, click 'Export' at the top right to download your custom configuration file. Name it 'configuration.xml' and save it to a dedicated folder on your computer.

3
Prepare the Office Deployment Tool

Run the downloaded Office Deployment Tool installer (setup.exe) and extract its contents directly into the same folder where you saved the configuration.xml file.

4
Execute the installation command

Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator. Use the 'cd' command to navigate to the folder containing your ODT files. Type the command 'setup.exe /configure configuration.xml' and press Enter to begin the installation.

Use the Office Customization Tool and Office Deployment Tool
Background Installation: Depending on the display settings chosen in your configuration file, the installation may run silently in the background. Do not interrupt the process until you see a success notification.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

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  1. 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
  2. 2. Run the installer: Open the downloaded executable file and follow the straightforward setup wizard.
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Installs in seconds without deployment tools or command-line executionFully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formatsLightweight architecture that performs smoothly on older or budget hardwareAll-in-one interface offering documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs in a single app
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install Office 2021 LTSC without the Office Deployment Tool?

No. Microsoft requires the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to install all volume-licensed versions of Office 2021 LTSC and Visio 2021 LTSC. Standard MSI installers are no longer provided for these versions.

How do I activate my Office and Visio LTSC products?

Activation is usually configured during the setup process. You can input your KMS (Key Management Service) or MAK (Multiple Activation Key) directly into the Office Customization Tool before exporting your XML file.

Can I install Visio LTSC 2021 on a machine that already has Microsoft 365?

Yes, but you must ensure that the installation technologies and update channels are compatible. Both must use Click-to-Run technology, and you generally cannot mix volume-licensed LTSC products with subscription products on differing update channels without specific XML configurations.