The Microsoft 365 Apps admin center offers several settings that are adjustable according to the needs of the user. Based on Microsoft’s guidelines, here are some of the configuration settings you might need to focus on:
1. Update Channel Selection:
Microsoft provides multiple update channels for feature updates, security updates, and non-security updates. These include:
- Current Channel: Offers up-to-date features of Office applications as soon as they are ready, generally every month.
- Monthly Enterprise Channel: Provides new features once a month, ideally for enterprises to have a predictable update schedule.
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview): Offers new features every six months, in March and September, targeted for IT pros who are managing deployments.
- Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel: Delivers new features twice a year, in January and July. It is the most stable and secure channel, ideal for commercial organizations.
Update channels can be set by following this path: Microsoft 365 admin center > Settings > Org Settings > Services > Microsoft 365 Apps admin center > Update channels
2. Application Selection:
You can select which Office Suite products to install on users’ devices. These can include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneNote, Access (PC), Publisher (PC), Visio (PC), Project (PC), and others.
You can set which apps should be installed by following this path: Microsoft 365 admin center > Settings > Org Settings > Services > Office Suite
3. Installation Settings
This refers to additional deployment settings such as language, bitness (32 or 64 bit), installation/update source, and the status of automatic software updates.
You can manage these settings by following this path: Microsoft 365 admin center > Settings > Org Settings > Services > Office Install
Sample Configuration Settings
Here’s an example of what a standard configuration for a commercial organization might look like:
- Update Channel: Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel
- Application selection: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams
- Installation Settings: English, 64 bit, Microsoft CDN, Automatic updates ON
Verification of Configuration Settings
After adjusting the settings as needed, make sure to verify the configuration. It’s possible by going to Microsoft 365 admin center > Home > Show All > Settings > Org Settings > Microsoft 365 Apps admin center > Settings. This will display the current settings of your Microsoft 365 Apps.
Conclusion
The initial configuration setup for Microsoft 365 apps using the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center is a crucial step towards proper application management and deployment. It caters to diverse business needs and enhances the overall user experience by offering flexible and customizable settings.
As a candidate preparing for the MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam, it’s crucial to understand the implications of these settings and how they can be customized to meet the organizational demands. Understanding these concepts is a key part of your preparation for the MS-100 exam.
Practice Test
True or False: You can specify the initial configuration settings for Microsoft 365 Apps by using the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: The Microsoft 365 Apps admin center provides options for specifying initial configuration settings for Microsoft 365 Apps.
Multiple Select: Which of the following settings can you specify in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center?
- A) Language settings
- B) Update settings
- C) Installation settings
- D) Billing settings
Answer: A, B, C
Explanation: You can specify language settings, update settings, and installation settings for Microsoft 365 Apps in the admin center.
True or False: We cannot manage user software downloads from the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: We can specify and manage user software downloads from the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Multiple Select: What are the key components of Microsoft 365 Apps admin center?
- A) Services & add-ins
- B) Settings
- C) Reports
- D) Health
Answer: A, B, C, D
Explanation: Microsoft 365 Apps admin center includes components like Services & add-ins, Settings, Reports, Health.
True or False: It is not possible to manage Microsoft licenses from the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: It is possible to manage and allocate Microsoft licenses from the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
Single Select: What is the first step to access the Microsoft 365 admin center?
- A) Open a browser
- B) Log into your Microsoft email account
- C) Sign into Microsoft 365 with your admin account
- D) Download the Microsoft 365 admin app
Answer: C – Sign into Microsoft 365 with your admin account
Explanation: The first step to access the admin center is to sign into Microsoft 365 with your admin account.
True or False: You can use the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center to install Office on devices.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: You can specify settings for installing Office on devices in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center.
Multiple Select: From the Microsoft 365 admin center, you can…
- A) Install specific updates
- B) Uninstall Office
- C) Change the update channel for Office
- D) Disable automatic updates
Answer: A, C, D
Explanation: From the Microsoft 365 admin center, you have control over updates, including installing specific updates, changing the update channel, and disabling automatic updates.
Single Select: Which of the following cannot be done from the Microsoft 365 admin center?
- A) Creating a shared mailbox
- B) Recovering a deleted user
- C) Resetting passwords for users
- D) Tracking sent emails of users
Answer: D – Tracking sent emails of users
Explanation: The Microsoft 365 admin center does not have the ability to track individual emails sent by users.
True or false: You can choose to roll out updates to Microsoft 365 Apps using the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Yes, you can specify settings for Microsoft 365 Apps updates in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center.
Interview Questions
What is the primary function of the Microsoft 365 Admin Center?
The Microsoft 365 Admin Center allows administrators to configure and manage all aspects of Microsoft 365, including users, groups, billing, and setup.
How do you access the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center?
You can access the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin center by navigating to the Microsoft 365 admin center and then selecting “Services & add-ins” and then “Microsoft 365 Apps”.
What types of configuration can be adjusted in the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center?
Administrators can configure numerous settings such as user software downloads, update settings, and Office telemetry settings.
Can you specify the Office update channel in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center?
Yes, administrators can select whether to use the Current Channel, Monthly Enterprise Channel, or the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel for their organization’s Office updates.
What type of users can have their software download settings configured in the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center?
Administrators can configure software download settings for all user types, such as faculty, students, or specific departments within the organization.
Can you manage Office licenses from Microsoft 365 Apps admin center?
No, license management is not done via the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center. This is managed through the Microsoft 365 admin center under Billing > Licenses.
What is the purpose of the “Services & add-ins” menu in the Microsoft 365 admin center?
This menu allows administrators to manage and configure the specific services and applications available in their Microsoft 365 subscription, including Microsoft 365 Apps.
What is the Office Deployment Tool?
The Office Deployment Tool allows administrators to customize and manage Office 365 ProPlus installations.
Where can administrators configure Office Telemetry settings in the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center?
Office Telemetry settings can be configured in the “Services & add-ins” menu in the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
Can update settings be configured for individual departments or user types within an organization in the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center?
Yes, by utilizing Office cloud policy service, administrators can apply different update settings to different groups of users within the same organization.
What is the role of software download settings in Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center?
Software download settings enable administrators to control which versions of Office software are available for users to install from the Office portal.
Can you disable user’s ability to install Microsoft 365 Apps from the portal?
Yes, this can be done by changing the software download settings in the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
How can you change the Office update channel for a group of users?
You can change the update settings in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center by selecting a new update channel for the specified user group.
Can the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center be used to deploy Office applications?
No, while you can configure many settings for Microsoft 365 Apps through the admin center, deployments are typically executed by using the Office Deployment Tool.
Is it possible to disable automatic office updates through the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center?
Yes, administrators can choose to disable automatic updates through the Microsoft 365 Apps Admin Center.
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