Office Installation Errors

How to Install Visio Professional 2016 Alongside Microsoft 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to install a volume-licensed edition of Visio Professional 2016 on a computer that already has Microsoft 365 installed.

Product: Microsoft Visio Professional 2016 / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Deploying a standalone, volume-licensed Visio 2016 application on a machine running a subscription-based Microsoft 365 suite.
Observed behavior: Visio Professional 2016 is not available through the standard Microsoft 365 installer and requires specialized deployment methods to avoid conflicts.

Before you start

Ensure you have administrator privileges on your computer and verify that your specific versions of Microsoft 365 and Visio 2016 share the same bit architecture (both 32-bit or both 64-bit).

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to Install Visio 2016

The Office Deployment Tool allows you to deploy volume-licensed versions of Visio 2016 alongside Click-to-Run Microsoft 365 applications without triggering MSI installer conflicts.

Microsoft's standard Microsoft 365 installer does not include volume-licensed editions of Visio. Because Microsoft prevents mixing Click-to-Run and traditional Windows Installer (MSI) editions of Office products on the same device, you must use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) with a properly configured XML file to install Visio side-by-side with Microsoft 365.

Download the Office Deployment Tool

Visit the official Microsoft Download Center, search for the Office Deployment Tool, and download the executable file to your computer.

Extract the ODT Files

Run the downloaded executable and extract the files (which include setup.exe and sample XML files) into a new local folder on your computer.

Create a Configuration XML File

Open a text editor like Notepad and create a configuration file specifying the Visio volume license product ID (e.g., 'VisioProXVolume') and matching the bit architecture of your Microsoft 365 installation. Save this file as 'configuration.xml' in the same folder as setup.exe.

Run Command Prompt as Administrator

Click the Windows Start menu, type 'cmd', right-click 'Command Prompt', and select 'Run as administrator'.

Execute the Installation Command

In Command Prompt, navigate to the folder containing your ODT files and type 'setup.exe /configure configuration.xml', then press Enter to begin the Visio installation.

Check Compatibility Guidelines: Always review Microsoft's official supported scenarios documentation to confirm that your specific update channels and versions are compatible for side-by-side installation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install 32-bit Visio 2016 with 64-bit Microsoft 365?

No. Microsoft requires all Office products installed on the same computer to use the same architecture. You must install the 64-bit version of Visio if you are currently using 64-bit Microsoft 365.

Why isn't Visio included in my standard Microsoft 365 installer?

Visio is a premium standalone application that requires a separate license. Volume-licensed editions like Visio Professional 2016 use different deployment technologies and are not bundled with standard Microsoft 365 subscription plans.

Can I use a traditional MSI installer for Visio 2016 alongside Microsoft 365?

If your Microsoft 365 was installed using Click-to-Run technology, you generally cannot use a traditional Windows Installer (MSI) to install Visio 2016 on the same device. You must use the Office Deployment Tool to resolve the deployment mismatch.

Installation & Activation