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Install Individual Microsoft 365 Apps Without Removing Existing Ones
Question details
The user needs to deploy a single Microsoft 365 application using the Office Deployment Tool without triggering the uninstallation of other already installed Microsoft 365 applications.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 / Office Deployment Tool
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying and installing separate standalone Microsoft 365 applications using individual configuration XML files.
- Observed behavior
- Previously installed Microsoft 365 applications are automatically removed when a new configuration XML is executed, due to the new configuration excluding those specific applications.
Ensure you have administrative privileges on your computer and locate the exact configuration XML file you are using with the Office Deployment Tool.
Modify the Configuration XML to Remove Application Exclusions
Edit your ODT configuration file to ensure previously installed applications are not listed as excluded, which prevents them from being uninstalled during the new deployment.
The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) processes the configuration XML file strictly as written. If your configuration file excludes an application while installing a new one, the ODT will automatically remove the excluded application if it detects it on your system.
Because there is no specific ODT attribute to skip removing existing apps, you must always use a configuration XML that includes every application you want to keep alongside the new applications you are adding.
Find the configuration XML file you plan to use for installing the new Microsoft 365 application.
Right-click the XML file, select 'Open with', and choose 'Notepad' or another plain text editor.
Look through the document for any tags labeled <ExcludeApp ID="AppName" /> (for example, <ExcludeApp ID="Word" />).
Highlight and delete the <ExcludeApp /> entries for any applications that are already installed on your system and that you wish to keep.
Click 'File' > 'Save' to apply your changes, then run the Office Deployment Tool setup command via Command Prompt using your updated XML file.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Office Deployment Tool uninstall my existing apps?
The ODT strictly enforces the configuration outlined in your XML file. If your XML file contains <ExcludeApp /> tags for applications that are already installed on your machine, the tool interprets this as a direct command to remove them during the setup process.
Can I force the ODT to only add an app without modifying my current installation?
No, the Office Deployment Tool does not feature a specific command or attribute to exclusively add applications while ignoring exclusions. You must manually ensure the XML file does not exclude any applications you wish to keep.
How do I find the correct Application ID for the ExcludeApp tag?
Microsoft provides standard IDs for its applications, such as "Word", "Excel", "PowerPoint", "Outlook", and "Access". These exact names are used within the <ExcludeApp ID="AppName" /> tag in your configuration XML.
