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How to Install Publisher 2021 LTSC with Newer Office LTSC Versions
Question details
The user wants to install Publisher 2021 LTSC on a Windows 11 computer that already has a newer version of Office LTSC installed, but is encountering compatibility conflicts.
- Product
- Publisher 2021 LTSC, Office LTSC
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Attempting a side-by-side installation of different Office LTSC versions on the same machine.
- Observed behavior
- The installation fails because the newer Office LTSC version and Publisher 2021 LTSC use incompatible Click-to-Run update channels.
Before modifying your Office deployment, check your current update channel in the Office Account settings and ensure you have administrative privileges to use the Office Deployment Tool.
Deploy a Unified Office LTSC 2021 Configuration
Since different LTSC versions use incompatible update channels, you must remove the conflicting newer installation and deploy a matched 2021 LTSC configuration.
Office LTSC releases rely on specific Click-to-Run channels. For example, Office LTSC 2024 uses the PerpetualVL2024 channel, while Publisher 2021 LTSC uses PerpetualVL2021. Because Microsoft prevents mixing different perpetual channels on a single device, you cannot install them together.
To use Publisher 2021, you will need to align your entire Office suite to the 2021 LTSC release using the Office Deployment Tool.
Open Windows Settings, navigate to Apps > Installed apps, locate your current newer Office LTSC installation, and click Uninstall.
Visit the Microsoft Download Center, download the Office Deployment Tool (ODT), and extract the tool's files to a local folder on your computer.
In the extracted ODT folder, create a configuration XML file that specifies both Office LTSC Standard 2021 and Publisher 2021 LTSC, ensuring the Channel attribute is set to 'PerpetualVL2021'.
Open Command Prompt as an Administrator, navigate to your ODT folder, and run the command 'setup.exe /configure yourconfig.xml' to install the compatible products together.
Switch to WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Experience
Avoid complex Click-to-Run channel conflicts and deployment headaches by switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, all-in-one suite that is highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats without the installation restrictions.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and click the free download button to get the installer.
- 2. Install the application: Run the downloaded installer file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup in minutes.
- 3. Open your files: Launch WPS Office and seamlessly open, edit, and save your existing Microsoft Office documents without format loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I install Office LTSC 2024 and Publisher 2021 together?
Microsoft assigns different Click-to-Run update channels to different LTSC releases (e.g., PerpetualVL2024 for the newer release and PerpetualVL2021 for the 2021 release). Mixing these update channels on the same device is not supported.
How do I check which update channel my current Office uses?
Open any installed Office application, click on File in the top left corner, and select Account. Look under the Product Information section to see the specific update channel currently in use.
Can I use MSI and Click-to-Run Office installations on the same computer?
No. Microsoft strongly advises against mixing MSI installations (such as older Office 2016 versions) with modern Click-to-Run installations on the same system, as it leads to severe compatibility and deployment errors.
