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Silent install Visio and Project to AVD host pool

Luke 75 Reputation points
2026-06-04T04:08:46.4966667+00:00

Hi there, Currently we are using windows 11 multi-session with Microsoft 365 apps image for our AVD. However, we also need to install Visio and Project desktop apps to the shared host pool, so users who have relevant licenses can use these two apps. Is there anyone that could advise how to properly do it? Thank you.

Azure Virtual Desktop
Azure Virtual Desktop

A Microsoft desktop and app virtualization service that runs on Azure. Previously known as Windows Virtual Desktop.

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  1. Himanshu Shekhar 6,420 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-06-04T07:53:34.39+00:00

    Hey Luke, it sounds like you want to add Visio and Project to your Windows 11 multi-session AVD hosts that already ship with Microsoft 365 Apps. You have two main paths:

    1. Build a new “golden” image with Visio/Project baked in
    2. Push the installers to existing session hosts via a script/extension

    I’ll outline both approaches below.

    1. Custom image (recommended for consistency)

    • Spin up a new VM from the Windows 11 Enterprise multi-session + Microsoft 365 Apps image

    • Download the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)

    – https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=626065

    • Create a silent install XML (for shared-computer activation) that includes Visio and Project. For example, using volume-licensed IDs: 

    <Configuration>  

  <Add OfficeClientEdition="64" Channel="MonthlyEnterprise">  

    <Product ID="ProjectProXVolume" PIDKEY="YOUR-PROJECT-GVLK">  

      <Language ID="en-us" />  

    </Product>  

    <Product ID="VisioProXVolume"    PIDKEY="YOUR-VISIO-GVLK">  

      <Language ID="en-us" />  

    </Product>  

  </Add>  

  <Display Level="None" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />  

  <Property Name="SharedComputerLicensing" Value="1" />  

</Configuration>

    • Run the silent install: 

    setup.exe /configure configuration.xml

    • Validate Visio and Project launch under a test user

    • Remove the VM from the domain and do a sysprep/generalize: 

    sysprep.exe /oobe /generalize /shutdown

    • Capture your custom image and point your host pool or session-host configuration at it

    Once that image is rolled out, all new session hosts will come with Visio & Project pre-installed.

    1. On-the-fly install via Custom Script Extension or DSC

    If you don’t want to re-build your master image right now, you can push the same ODT config to each session host:

    • Upload your configuration.xml and ODT installer to a storage account or Git repo

    • Add a Custom Script Extension to the host pool (or use Azure Automation DSC) that runs: 

    Invoke-WebRequest -Uri <ODT-download-URL> -OutFile C:\Temp\setup.exe  

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri <your-config.xml-URL> -OutFile C:\Temp\configuration.xml  

C:\Temp\setup.exe /configure C:\Temp\configuration.xml

    • This will silently install Visio & Project in shared-computer mode

    • You can trigger it on all existing VMs at once

    Hope one of these fits your needs. Let me know if you need more details on any step!

    Reference list

    • Install Office on a custom VHD image (shared-computer activation):

    https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-desktop/install-office-on-wvd-master-image

    • Use the Office Deployment Tool for volume-licensed Visio & Project:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoft-365-apps/deploy/use-the-office-deployment-tool-to-install-volume-licensed-editions-of-visio-2016

    • Office Deployment Tool download & config options:

    https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=626065

    • Sysprep & capture guidance for AVD images:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-desktop/set-up-customize-master-image

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  2. AI answer

    2026-06-04T04:09:09.33+00:00

    Use the Office Deployment Tool (ODT) and shared computer activation, the same way Microsoft 365 Apps is installed for Azure Virtual Desktop.

    Because the AVD image is Windows 10/11 Enterprise multi-session with Microsoft 365 Apps already installed, Visio and Project must:

    • Be Click-to-Run subscription versions (for example, Visio Plan 2, Project Plan 3/5).
    • Match the existing Office installation (same bitness and update channel).
    • Be installed with shared computer activation enabled.

    High-level steps:

    1. Prepare a configuration.xml for ODT
      • Download the Office Deployment Tool.
      • Create a configuration.xml that:
        • Adds the Visio and/or Project products.
        • Uses the same channel and architecture as the existing Microsoft 365 Apps.
        • Enables shared computer activation.
      The key setting for shared computer activation is: 
         <Property Name="SharedComputerLicensing" Value="1" />
      This is required for multi-user environments like Azure Virtual Desktop and Remote Desktop Services.
    2. Run ODT on the AVD image/session host
      • Copy setup.exe (from ODT) and configuration.xml to the AVD image or session host.
      • From an elevated command prompt, run: 
             setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
      • This installs Visio and/or Project alongside the existing Microsoft 365 Apps in shared computer activation mode.
    3. Ensure licensing and user access
      • Each user who should run Visio or Project must have the appropriate subscription license assigned (for example, Visio Plan 2, Project Plan 3/5).
      • Users sign in with their own accounts; shared computer activation will obtain and cache their license tokens when they start Visio/Project.
    4. Capture/update the AVD image
      • If using a custom VHD image for the host pool, perform the installation on the master image, then generalize and update the host pool according to the existing AVD image management process.

    This approach aligns with the documented pattern for installing Microsoft 365 Apps (and related desktop apps) in shared-computer/AVD environments and ensures Visio and Project are available only to licensed users.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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