Removing features from Office 2013 during imaging

Problem: Office 2013 is built into our base image, but some of our lab computers need Outlook and Lync removed.

First, I should say, this is not possible. You cannot simply remove Office features during the imaging process. However, there is a workaround.

What you need:

• Your custom Office installer that excludes Outlook and Lync (or whatever feature you're trying to exclude)
• The SilentUninstallConfig.xml file

In our scenario, we have a few labs that need a different Office configuration, plus some additional apps that are not included in our standard image. I set up groups for these areas in the TS (see image below) with settings only to run if certain conditions are met (ComputerName Like XXX, for example).

Create your SilentUninstallConfig.xml file, or download it here. 

SilentUninstallConfig.xml:

Place it in the ProPlus.WW folder in your Office share (be sure to update the content on your DP!).

Add a Run Command Line step in your TS before your Office 2013 custom install:

setup.exe /uninstall ProPlus /config .\ProPlus.WW\SilentUninstallConfig.xml

Be sure to include the path to your Office share in Start In:.

You're all set! This step only takes a few minutes and your custom Office 2013 install will work as expected.