Upgrading to Office 2007 using Group Policy - issues !!!

[Rich]

I find it very disgusting by Microsoft to handcuff IT administrators in
regards to upgrading their copies of Office across a network and domain.

We paid big bucks to properly license this software, and it looks like we
are going to pay to pay more big bucks to bring in the proper freelancers to
help deploy this manually because we can't do an install of Office over the
network. It's a total joke.



- We can't install Office 2007 via Group Policy because the upgrade does
not uninstall our current copies of Office 2000 and 2003

- We can't do a scripted install of Office 2007 because 90% of our users do
not have local administrator rights to their PCs

- We can't use SMS because a) we don't have it b) it costs money and we
already dumped a ton of cash into Office 2007 and c) even if we were to get
it there is a learning curve to know how to use it and I don't have the time
for that

- I can't use the "install using elevated privledges" option in GPO for a
scripted install because Microsoft DISABLED THIS FEATURE FOR OFFICE 2007 (how
convenient)


I can't believe I am the only person who is beyond fustrated with this
situation. Are there any alternatives? I have hundreds of users on my
network. Installing this one by one would be a nightmare.

 

[Eric A.]

Have you tried using a startup script in GPO to deploy 2007? This is a good
alternative for many people. It will allow you to use the OCT, and should
work to upgrade without issue as well.

http://technet2.microsoft.com/Offic...b959-4025-a866-b690ddcaa66d1033.mspx?mfr=true

 

[Rich]

Doesn't the user need local administrator rights to install this through the
startup scripts?

My users are not local admins.

 

[Eric A.]

No they don't.

They would for a "login" script, But not a startup script. Startup scripts
launch prior to allowing them to login.

 

[rkircher]

I'm with you Rich. Absolute BS how MS has changed MSI/MST setups all in an
effort to boost sales of SMS. Well small business can't afford to buy
upgrades to office let alone SMS and a server to run it on.

As to startup scripts, I'm a programmer and I don’t' have time to mess with
scripts that I didn't need before. And I have need to PUBLISH Office so it
can be installed from add remove programs on an as needed bases not just dump
it on all my PCs. Well you can't do that with a script can you. And if you
can there’s not help around.

Use the one and only MSI that does work with GPs you say? Nope... Can't
customize that install w/o having to study a cryptic XML structure that isn't
as flexible as the old MSTs anyway. EG, I need to place icons on the
desktop. I have to set some Outlook settings at install. Haven't seen
anything for that in the XML syntax.

And if all that ins’t bad enough the thing that has really P'd me is I've
posted twice to this form about the exact same problem looking for advice and
not one MVP has bothered to answer. Fact is they just don't give a rats a...


MS has really F'd us little guys with move and then complexly left us out to
dry on the support end.

 

[Greg Crowe]

I am with Rob and Rich.

Office 2003 was a dream to roll out. Simple, clean, easy to tweak and
administer. It just worked, you know?

Office 2007 feels like they tried to get clever with the installer and
did not take the time to THINK about this this affects their small
business customers.

Here is a clue MSFT, for free, on me. We are not going to buy SMS. We
do not have the time nor inclination to learn one more abstract and
cumbersome technology to fix a problem you created. Between decisions
like this regarding Office and the joke that is the Vista OS, a lot of
us are beginning to wonder who is at the helm in Redmond.

- your small business customers

 

[rkircher]

Hey Greg, seems like we must be in the minority. Or at least were the only
ones who complain. Maybe we can start a grass roots thing and get MS to
change things but somehow I doubt it. Two money making concepts are in the
way. SMS and forcing us to deploy Office 2007 on every PC regardless if it's
needed or not.