5.2MD-102Fundamental
Est: ~15 mins•Verified: 2026-08
Microsoft 365 Apps: Deployment & Update Channels
Deploy Microsoft 365 Apps (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), configure installation suites, remove legacy MSI Office, and manage Monthly vs Semi-Annual Enterprise update channels.
Tags:#M365 Apps#Office#Update Channels#Shared Computer Activation#Intune#MD-102
01
Overview
Deploying Microsoft 365 Apps (formerly Office 365 ProPlus) using Microsoft Intune provides centralized control over which individual applications are installed, license activation behavior (such as Shared Computer Activation for AVD/RDS), and enterprise update channels (Current Channel, Monthly Enterprise Channel, Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel).
Intune utilizes the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) and Click-to-Run (C2R) engine natively under the hood.
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02
When to Use
| Update Channel | Target Audience | Feature Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Current Channel | Pilot users, executives wanting early features | Real-time release as soon as features are ready (multiple times/month). |
| Monthly Enterprise Channel | Recommended Corporate Standard | Predictable monthly release on Patch Tuesday (second Tuesday of month) with high stability. |
| Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel | Regulated, specialized, or mission-critical devices | New features twice a year (January and July); security patches monthly. |
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04
Portal Path
TEXT
Microsoft Intune Admin Center (https://intune.microsoft.com)
└── Apps
└── Windows
└── Add
└── App type: Microsoft 365 Apps (Windows 10 and later)---
05
Step-by-Step Implementation
Step 1: Configure the App Suite
- Select Microsoft 365 Apps (Windows 10 and later).
- Select App Suite Information: Name:
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. - Configure App Suite Settings:
- Select Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive (Uncheck Access/Publisher if not required).
- Update channel:
Monthly Enterprise Channel(Recommended). - Remove other versions:
Yes(Automatically detects and cleanly uninstalls legacy Office MSI installs). - Architecture:
64-bit. - Shared computer activation: Set to
Enableif deploying to shared PCs or Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
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06
PowerShell Commands
Check Office Click-to-Run Version and Update Channel on Endpoint:
PowerShell
# Query registry for installed Office Click-to-Run release and channel
Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\Configuration" |
Select-Object VersionToReport, CDNBaseUrl, SharedComputerLicensing | Format-List---
12
MD-102 Exam Notes
Exam Blueprint & High-Yield Traps
Key Exam Traps:
- Shared Computer Activation (SCA): Required when deploying Office to multi-user devices (e.g., Azure Virtual Desktop or shared shift laptops). Does not consume one of the user's 5 personal device license activations.
- Remove other versions: Enabling this setting cleanly uninstalls legacy MSI-based Office 2013/2016 before deploying the Click-to-Run version, preventing duplicate installations.