'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Restrict Office Add-Ins While Allowing Specific Apps
Question details
The user wants to prevent users from freely downloading Office add-ins while ensuring specific approved add-ins can still be deployed and used.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying an approved add-in via Integrated Apps while keeping the Office Store disabled for general users.
- Observed behavior
- Approved add-ins fail to appear in the Admin Managed tab in Word when the Office Store is completely disabled.
Ensure you have Microsoft 365 global or Exchange administrator privileges and access to the Microsoft 365 admin center before modifying organizational app settings.
Deploy the Add-in by Temporarily Enabling the Office Store
Temporarily enabling the Office Store allows the approved add-in to sync properly before you lock down the store again.
In some Microsoft 365 environments, disabling the Office Store completely can interfere with the initial synchronization of add-ins deployed via Integrated Apps. A known workaround is to briefly enable the store to push the deployment.
Log into the Microsoft 365 admin center, navigate to Settings, select Org settings, and temporarily enable the Office Store under User-owned apps and services.
Go to Integrated Apps in the admin center and deploy your approved add-in to the targeted users or groups.
Have a user reopen Microsoft Word, navigate to the Insert tab, click Get Add-ins, select the Admin Managed tab, and click Refresh.
If the add-in still does not appear, remove the add-in from Integrated Apps, wait a few minutes, and re-add it while the store is still enabled.
Once the approved add-in successfully appears for users, return to the Org settings in the admin center and disable the Office Store again.
Simplify Your Workflow with WPS Office
Managing complex Microsoft 365 deployment policies and troubleshooting add-in sync issues can be time-consuming. WPS Office offers a streamlined, lightweight alternative that comes with built-in essential tools, eliminating the constant need to deploy third-party add-ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Admin Managed tab empty in Word?
The Admin Managed tab may appear empty if the deployment hasn't synced yet or if organizational policies blocking the Office Store are interfering with the deployment. Clicking 'Refresh' in the add-ins menu or temporarily enabling the Office Store usually resolves this.
Can I block the Office Store but allow specific add-ins?
Yes. Organizations typically handle this by disabling the Office Store in Org settings and deploying specific allowed applications via Integrated Apps in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
How long does it take for an Integrated App to appear for users?
After deploying an add-in via Integrated Apps, it can take up to 24 hours for the application to fully propagate and appear in the users' Office applications.
