If you`re an IT administrator tasked with managing multiple computers in an organization, you may have come across the need to deploy Microsoft Office 2016 and enforce its license agreement across all machines. Fortunately, there`s a way to do this efficiently using Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
The first step is to obtain a volume license for Office 2016. This allows you to install the software on multiple machines and manage activation using a Key Management Service (KMS) or Multiple Activation Key (MAK). Once you have the license, you can proceed with the following steps:
1. Download the Office 2016 Administrative Template files (ADMX/ADML) from Microsoft`s website. These files contain the Group Policy settings that you can use to control the behavior of Office 2016 on your network.
2. Install the Administrative Template files on your domain controller or a management server that`s accessible from your domain. This will allow you to access the Office 2016 settings in your Group Policy Editor.
3. Open the Group Policy Editor and create a new GPO for Office 2016. You can apply this GPO to a specific OU (Organizational Unit) or to the entire domain.
4. Under Computer Configuration, navigate to Policies -> Administrative Templates -> Microsoft Office 2016 (or whichever version you`re deploying) -> Licensing. Here, you`ll find several settings related to license activation and enforcement.
5. Enable the setting `Use specified KMS host for KMS activation` and enter the hostname or IP address of your KMS server. If you`re using MAK activation, enable the setting `Use specified MAK for product activation` and enter your MAK key.
6. Enforce the license agreement by enabling the setting `Suppress end user opt-in for the Customer Experience Improvement Program`. This will prevent users from opting out of sending usage data to Microsoft.
7. Save and close the GPO, then link it to the appropriate OU or domain.
Once the GPO is applied to your machines, Office 2016 will be activated automatically using the KMS or MAK key you specified. The license agreement will also be enforced, ensuring compliance with your organization`s policies.
In conclusion, using Group Policy Objects to manage Microsoft Office 2016 licenses is a powerful tool for IT administrators. By following these steps, you can efficiently deploy the software and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
