Deploying Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise or business is more than installing and setting up Word and Excel. You’re not just downloading some productivity apps but implementing a thoughtful strategy that will dramatically impact your organization. So, how do you deploy Microsoft Office 365 for an enterprise? Follow the straightforward methods highlighted in this blog post and add MS 365 apps enterprise-wide.
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What You’ll Learn Hide
  1. How to deploy Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise?
  2. Using Microsoft Intune (Native Built-in App)
  3. Intune Via Win32 App Wrapping (The Pro Method)
  4. Office Deployment Tool (ODT) Via Local Network Share
  5. Microsoft Configuration Manager
  6. Conclusion
  7. FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How to deploy Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise?

how to deploy Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise

Microsoft 365 apps deployment enterprise-wide can be carried out by the following four methods:

  1. Microsoft Intune (Native Built-in App)
  2. Intune via Win32 App Wrapping
  3. Office Deployment Tool (ODT) via Local Network Share
  4. Microsoft Configuration Manager (MECM/SCCM)
SysTools Recommends: Office 365 Keeps Crashing Problem: Here’s How You Can Fix It

Using Microsoft Intune (Native Built-in App)

Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based management application that manages an organization’s devices and apps with complete control. This built-in app allows organizations to deploy Office 365 apps without typing a single line of code.

In simple words, it’s fast and straightforward. Since it is cloud-native, it doesn’t require traditional infrastructure. It is a modern Office 365 deployment solution that is firmly merged with Entra ID.

Let’s see how to deploy Microsoft 365 apps via Intune!

  • Open the browser >> go to Microsoft Intune Admin Center >> Sign in (with an administrator account).
  • Click Apps >> All Apps >> Add >> Microsoft 365 Apps.
  • Choose the MS 365 Apps (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.) >> set the architecture to 64-bit >> assign the update channel.

So, is this the best method to deploy Office 365 apps for enterprise? Indeed, it is! But it has its own weak point, such as being unable to browse the existing MSI installations properly.

It is a cloud-native platform, which prevents it from natively browsing an on-premises folder structure, restricting it from finding installation files during Microsoft 365 deployment.

And if you want to wrap standard Windows setup files (.exe, .msi, .bat, or .ps1) into one cloud-friendly file format (.intunewin), Intune via Win32 App wrapping is the solution!

Intune Via Win32 App Wrapping (The Pro Method)

Win32 App Wrapping is the process of transforming standard Windows setup files like .msi into a .intunewin file, enabling Intune to effortlessly upload, store, and deploy standard setup files.

This pre-packaged file format (.intunewin) includes all your application installation files, subfolders, and scripts, making it one of the primary methods to deploy Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise.

Do you know? The standard Line-of-Business (LOB) uploads are integrated into Intune for .msi files. But still, Win32 wrapping is the most preferred technique. It provides advanced features such as easy chain updates, set prerequisites, and complex multi-file transfers.

So, here are the steps for Intune via Win32 Wrapping:

Step 1: Wrapping the App

  • Download the Microsoft Win32 Content Prep Tool (IntuneWinAppUtil.exe).
  • Create a separate folder for source files (C:\IntuneSource) >> move the installer into it.
  • Again, create a new output folder (C:\IntuneOutput).
  • Open the Command Prompt >> go to the prep tool >> run the command:
IntuneWinAppUtil.exe -c C:\IntuneSource -s your_installer.exe -o C:\IntuneOutput

Your files are now compressed and encrypted into a your_installer.intunewin file. You can find them in the output directory.

Step 2: Uploading and Configuring in Intune

  • Go to Microsoft Intune Admin Center >> log in.
  • Select Apps >> All Apps >> Add.
  • Choose Windows app (Win32) as the app type >> upload the newly created .intunewin file.

Additionally, you are required to provide the following specific operational parameters.

  • In the background, provide the string to run the installer. It will ensure that the end user is not notified. For instance, setup.exe /silent or msiexec /i “app.msi” /qn.
  • Also, provide minimum hardware parameters such as the Windows build version or operating system architecture (x64/x86).
  • Inform Intune how to verify app installation status. To do so:
    • You can check an MSI product code.
    • Look for a specific file path (C:\Program Files\App\app.exe).
    • Use a unique registry key.

Office Deployment Tool (ODT) Via Local Network Share

The Office Deployment Tool (ODT) via Local Network Share can also install the Microsoft 365 apps across the enterprise. It is a promising method for Microsoft 365 apps deployment, especially for organizations with the following weak points:

  • Strict bandwidth limitations
  • Scattered networks

How does it work? It downloads the core files to a central \\Server\Share, allowing client devices to use a custom XML file to pull the installation. It drops the traditional practice of dozens of client machines pulling GBs of data from the Microsoft Content Delivery Network (CDN).

Pro Tip: You can combine the Office Deployment Tool using a local Network Share with Intune Win32 App wrapping. This strategy will prevent dozens of GBs of Office installation data from blocking your internet bandwidth.

Microsoft Configuration Manager (MECM/SCCM)

Microsoft Configuration Manager, or SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager), is a vital part of MS Endpoint Manager. It is an on-premises enterprise systems management tool that allows IT admins to manage a large number of devices (Windows desktops, laptops, servers, and virtual machines).

It enables detailed deployment scheduling. An ideal use case for it is that admins can use the built-in Office 365 Client Management Dashboard to deploy Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise during off-hours. It makes sure that it doesn’t affect the user’s productivity.

Also Check Out: How to Create a Calendar in SharePoint: 2026 Guide for SharePoint Admins

Conclusion

“How to Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise?” is a short question that has immense potential to straighten the posture of your organization if applied right!

It also plays a key role in determining bandwidth utilization. Also, take note of the readiness of AI tools like Copilot for Microsoft 365.

So, if you have just been given administrator access to deploy Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, this quick guide will be your reliable assistant. It will make sure that you choose the following for a smooth deployment:

  • Right delivery mechanism
  • Optimized network traffic
  • Managing legacy software issues
  • Sustainable update channel

And if you experience any activation errors while deploying the MS 365 apps for enterprise and business, you can use the SysTools practical guide to fix Office 365 activation issues on Windows & Mac.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are the 4 industry-standard methods to install Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise:

  1. Microsoft Intune
  2. Intune via Win32 Wrapping
  3. Office Deployment Tool (ODT) via Local Network Share
  4. Microsoft Configuration Manager (MECM/SCCM)

Microsoft 365 apps deployment via Intune is a fast, straightforward process. Simply consider the following steps:

  • Open the browser >> go to Microsoft Intune Admin Center >> Sign in (with an administrator account).
  • Click Apps >> All Apps >> Add >> Microsoft 365 Apps.
  • Choose the MS 365 Apps (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.) >> set the architecture to 64-bit >> assign the update channel.

To deploy Microsoft 365 apps without user disturbance in the background, apply the given instructions.

  • Select the configuration.xml file >> set the display to none: <Display AcceptEULA=”TRUE” Level=”None”/>.
  • Next, add <Property Name=”FORCEAPPSHUTDOWN” Value=”TRUE”/>.

Mac users can use the standard .pkg installers offered by Microsoft for Microsoft 365 apps deployment on Mac devices. You can use an MDM solution like Jamf Pro or Microsoft Intune for macOS.

For configurations like updating channels or suppressing first-run dialogs, you can use macOS configuration profiles (.mobileconfig files). They provide a standard Apple Property List (plist) of preferences.

The following reasons are responsible for the Intune MS 365 app deployment being stuck in “Pending” or “Failed”:

  • When the legacy version of Office (like Office 2016 MSI) is locked open by a user.
  • The consumer version of Office already exists on the device.
  • Or, if the device has insufficient storage.