Comprehensive Guide to Deploying Microsoft 365 Apps with Intune

Comprehensive Guide: Deploying Microsoft 365 Apps with Microsoft Intune

Rolling out Microsoft 365 Apps across Windows devices can be complex when done manually. Microsoft Intune simplifies this process by offering a native app deployment type tailored for Microsoft 365 Apps. You gain centralized control over installation options, update cadence, and licensing—ensuring your users always have the right Office tools without heavy administrative overhead.

1. Understanding Microsoft 365 Apps in Intune

Microsoft 365 Apps are cloud-connected Office applications delivered via Click-to-Run. They receive continuous feature and security updates and tie licensing to Microsoft 365 subscriptions verified through Entra ID (formerly Azure AD). Intune’s native app deployment type for Windows 10 and later supports:

• Architecture Selection: Choose 64-bit for performance on modern hardware or 32-bit for broader compatibility.
• App Suite Configuration: Include core apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook—and exclude others like Access or Publisher.
• Update Channel Control: Assign Monthly Enterprise, Current, or Semi-Annual channels to balance feature access and stability.
• Licensing Modes: Use user-based licensing for personal devices or device-based/shared-computer activation for shared workstations, labs, or VDI.

2. Choosing the Right Update Channel

Intune lets you specify how often Office apps receive new features and fixes. Selecting the proper channel prevents surprises and aligns updates with your support model:

• Monthly Enterprise
• Frequency: Once per month
• Ideal for: Teams that need regular enhancements but want predictable schedules
• Current Channel
• Frequency: At least once monthly (sometimes bi-weekly)
• Ideal for: Early adopters and pilot groups that can tolerate occasional instability
• Semi-Annual Channel
• Frequency: Twice per year, in January and July
• Ideal for: Regulated industries and large enterprises prioritizing maximum stability

3. Licensing Options and Scenarios

User-Based Licensing
When users sign into Windows and Office with their Microsoft 365 credentials, Intune assigns a license to their account. Best for dedicated workstations.

Device-Based Licensing (Shared Computer Activation)
Activate Office on devices rather than per user. Critical for remote desktop services, virtual desktops, or lab machines. Ensure your Microsoft 365 plan includes shared-computer rights (e.g., Microsoft 365 E3/E5, F3).

4. Detailed Deployment Workflow

Follow these steps for a reliable, repeatable deployment:

Step 1: Access the Intune Admin Center

1. Sign in at endpoint.microsoft.com with your admin account.
2. In the left pane, select Apps, then Windows.

Step 2: Add Microsoft 365 Apps

1. Click + Add and choose Microsoft 365 Apps for Windows 10 and later.
2. Enter a clear Name and Description (e.g., “Office ProPlus – Monthly Enterprise Channel”).

Step 3: Configure Installation Settings

1. Architecture: Select 64-bit or 32-bit.
2. App Suite: Toggle apps on or off to include/exclude specific Office components.
3. Update Channel: Choose the channel that matches your release strategy.
4. License Type: Pick Device-based or User-based. For shared machines, enable Shared computer activation.
5. Additional Settings (optional):
   1. Block Office telemetry
   1. Enable Office automatic repair
   1. Set installation deadline reminders

Step 4: Assign to Groups

1. Under Assignments, choose Required to auto-install or Available to let users install via Company Portal.
2. Assign to Entra ID groups for targeted pilot testing or phased rollout.

Step 5: Monitor and Verify

1. Go to Monitor > App install status to view install success rates, failures, and pending installations.
2. Use Devices and Users reports to confirm compliance with your update channel.

5. Preparing Custom Win32 Packages

For scenarios requiring older installers or add-ons, wrap them as Win32 packages:

1. Download the Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool.
2. Place source files (.exe, .msi) in a folder (e.g., C:\Source).
3. Run the wrapper tool:

IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c C:\Source -s Setup.exe -o C:\Output

• Upload the resulting .intunewin file to Intune under Apps > Windows > + Add > Windows app (Win32).
• Configure detection rules, dependencies, and return codes to ensure reliable installs.

6. Best Practices for Smooth Deployments

• Pilot Groups: Always test deployments on a small set of devices.
• Bandwidth Management: Use Windows Delivery Optimization or peer caching to reduce network load.
• Staggered Rollouts: Phase assignments across departments or regions.
• Deadline Controls: Set compliance deadlines to remind users about required installs.
• Logging and Diagnostics: Enable detailed logging on pilot devices to catch errors early.

7. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Install Failures

• Check Intune logs in Device > Troubleshoot.
• Verify group assignments and licensing status.
• Ensure required Windows updates are installed on target machines.

Update Channel Mismatch

• Confirm the XML channel setting matches your Intune configuration.
• Use Office’s Support and Recovery Assistant to diagnose update errors.

Activation Errors

• For shared-computer activation, verify your Microsoft 365 plan supports device licensing.
• Check that devices can reach the Office licensing service endpoints.

Conclusion

Deploying Microsoft 365 Apps via Intune lets you manage installations, updates, and licensing from a single console. By choosing the right update channel, licensing mode, and deployment scope—and by following best practices for testing and monitoring—you ensure a smooth, controlled Office rollout. This approach reduces help-desk workload and keeps your users productive with the latest Office features and security patches.