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How to Stop Microsoft 365 Apps from Installing During Windows Autopilot
Question details
The user wants to prevent Microsoft 365 Apps from automatically deploying during Windows Autopilot setup in order to install Office 2019 instead.
- Product
- Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopilot
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Enrolling enterprise devices via Windows Autopilot and managing office software deployment.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft 365 Apps install automatically during the Autopilot deployment, conflicting with the desired Office 2019 installation.
Ensure you have Administrator access to the Microsoft Intune admin center and have downloaded the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) for configuring your Office 2019 installation.
Configure Intune to Remove Microsoft 365 Apps and Install Office 2019
Modify your Autopilot deployment profile in Microsoft Intune to detect and uninstall Microsoft 365 apps before deploying Office 2019.
To stop Microsoft 365 Apps from overriding your Office 2019 deployment, you must identify the source of the installation (such as a default Intune app assignment) and explicitly instruct the deployment profile to remove it using a detection script.
Log in to the Microsoft Intune admin center. Navigate to Apps > Windows and look for any Microsoft 365 Apps assigned to 'All Devices' or your specific Autopilot device groups. Remove or exclude your target groups from this assignment.
Write a PowerShell script or use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) with an XML configuration set to remove existing Office 365 installations. Upload this script to Intune as a Windows app (Win32) or a deployment script.
In the deployment profile, set up a custom application detection rule to check for the presence of Microsoft 365 Apps. Set the dependency so that the uninstallation script runs if Microsoft 365 is detected.
Use the Office Deployment Tool to create a configuration file for Office 2019. Package it as a Win32 app and assign it to your Autopilot devices, ensuring it is set to install only after the Microsoft 365 removal step is complete.
Remove Microsoft 365 Apps from Provisioning Packages and OEM Images
Eliminate Microsoft 365 installation sources that come pre-configured on the device's base Windows image or provisioning packages.
Deploy WPS Office as a Lightweight Alternative
Avoid complex deployment issues, lengthy uninstallations, and licensing conflicts associated with Microsoft 365 and Office 2019. WPS Office is a highly compatible, free alternative that deploys quickly and easily across enterprise environments.
- 1. Download the Enterprise Installer: Get the official WPS Office installation package tailored for mass deployment.
- 2. Deploy via Intune: Package the installer as a standard Win32 app in Microsoft Intune and assign it to your Autopilot devices.
- 3. Seamless Transition: Allow your users to open and edit all legacy Microsoft Office files immediately without complex configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Microsoft 365 Apps install automatically on new Windows devices?
Windows devices often come with Microsoft 365 pre-installed by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). Alternatively, an Intune policy might be assigned to the 'All Devices' group, forcing the installation during the Autopilot Out-of-Box Experience.
Can I deploy Office 2019 alongside Microsoft 365 Apps?
No, installing perpetual-license products like Office 2019 alongside subscription-based Microsoft 365 Apps is not supported and usually blocked by the Office Deployment Tool. You must completely uninstall Microsoft 365 first.
How do I remove Microsoft 365 Apps if they are already installed via Autopilot?
You can deploy a PowerShell uninstallation script via Microsoft Intune, or utilize the Office Deployment Tool with an XML configuration file explicitly designed with the <Remove> element to uninstall existing Office products.
