Configuring Office 2010 Using the Office Configuration Tool

If you're tasked with upgrading your entire office to Microsoft Office 2010, consider using the Office Configuration Tool which allows you to customize the installation. Doing so allows you to install Office with pre-determined settings, specific features, and additional content. You can also control the integration of Outlook. Among the options you can specify with the Office Configuration Tool are:

• Setup
• Features
• Additional Content
• Outlook

The Setup category allows you to:

• Specify the Office 2010 destination folder and enter the organization's name
• Create a backup location on the network
• Enter the product key and enter dialog text to prompt users upon installation
• Specify whether to remove all previous editions of Office or just specific programs
• Add other programs to the installation file
• Set security levels for items such as macros, Office add-ins, and templates
• Manually add properties to the installation

The Features category allows you to:

• Specify user options for controlling features such as the Ribbon, default file formats, and proofing tools
• Decide which features to include for each Office application

The Additional Content category allows you to:

• Add or remove files
• Add or remove registry entries
• Configure shortcuts

The Outlook category allows you to:

• Choose from using an existing Outlook profile, creating a new profile, or modifying the existing one
• Add accounts
• Export the user's settings to a PRF file
• Create send and receive groups

The Office Customization Tool replaces the older Custom Installation Wizard. It was originally introduced with Office 2007. This tool saves time, especially when you have multiple installations to manage, by creating a Windows Installer patch file containing all of your customizations.

The first step requires designating a network installation point for Office such as \\server\networkshare\Office 2010. Once you create the network share folder, copy the Office files to it. From there, use a command prompt to launch the Office Customization Tool. You'll need to type the path of the designated Office 2010 folder and type the following command: setup.exe /admin.

The tool will then launch, prompting you throughout the process. After making your customizations, go to File > Save. This saves a MSP file and places it in a subfolder of the Office 2010 folder called Updates. Once the MSP folder has been created, you can modify it or use it as a template for a separate, but similar Office installation by running the setup.exe /admin command once again. When you're ready to deploy Office with the customizations you've made, use your favorite deployment tool which will automatically check the Updates folder for patch files and apply the customizations contained within.

About CBT Planet:

CBT Planet offers Microsoft Office 2010 training for IT professionals responsible for installing, deploying, configuring, troubleshooting and customizing Microsoft Office as well as for end-users who use the Office applications. Microsoft Office training takes many forms at CBT Planet including live and self-study formats. Options include instructor-led training videos on DVD or online, computer based training DVDs, live online classes, live boot camps, onsite group training classes, and study guides. Detailed videos, expert instruction, and hands-on elements bring the computer software training to life and allow trainees to learn according to their own specific learning requirements and preferences.