# Office Plugin Installation Manual via Group Policy Objects

## Introduction

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing the Zivver Office Plugin on Microsoft Windows using Group Policy Objects (GPO). Follow these guidelines to ensure a smooth deployment across your organization.

## Minimal technical requirements

### System requirements

- **Operating System**: Microsoft Windows 10 or higher.
- **Framework**: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8 or higher.
- **Email Client**: Microsoft Outlook 2021 or higher.
- **Memory Usage**: Approximately 150 MB per Outlook session.

Ensure your system meets these requirements to guarantee optimal performance of the Zivver Office Plugin.

### Product specific requirements

- An HTTPS connection on port 443 with TLS v1.2 or higher to `https://*.zivver.com`.
- Microsoft Outlook configured in Cached Exchange Mode.
- A [Microsoft-supported scenario](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/DeployOffice/install-different-office-visio-and-project-versions-on-the-same-computer?toc=/deployoffice/office2019/toc.json#example-installation-scenarios) when using different versions of Office, Project, and Visio on the same computer.

### GPO specific requirements

- **Administrator Rights**: You need administrator rights in Microsoft Active Directory (AD) to create and deploy new GPOs, such as being a member of the Domain Administrators group.
- **Domain Controller Access**: Ensure you have access to a domain controller (DC), either via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or by using the [Remote Server Administration Tools](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2693643/remote-server-administration-tools-rsat-for-windows-operating-systems).
- **ADM File Installation Options**:
  - **Recommended**: Access to the `SYSVOL` folder on a DC to install the ADM files in the domain’s GPO Central Store. This ensures the files are replicated across the domain and can be managed from any domain server.
  - **Alternative**: If the Central Store is not used, the ADM files can be installed locally on a DC. However, this approach limits the availability of the ADM files to the specific server where they are installed, and they cannot be managed from other domain servers.

## Download link

[Latest MSI installer download link](https://downloads.zivver.com/officeplugin/latest/Zivver.OfficePlugin.Installer.msi)

## Installation

This section explains how to install the Office plugin using Group Policy Objects (GPO).

In addition to installing the Office plugin, ensure that you configure the required settings as outlined in the [Recommended Office Plugin Settings](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#recommended-office-plugin-settings) chapter. These settings are essential for optimal functionality and user experience.

### Share the Office Plugin

To deploy the Office plugin via GPO, ensure it is accessible to users on the network by creating a distribution point on the server. Follow these steps:

1. Log in to a domain server with administrator rights.
2. Create a new shared network folder or use an existing one.
3. Place the Office plugin installer package in this folder.

[Download the latest MSI installer](https://downloads.zivver.com/officeplugin/latest/Zivver.OfficePlugin.Installer.msi)
4. Verify that users have access to the shared folder and adjust permissions if necessary.

_The Office plugin is now ready for installation across the domain._

### Create a GPO

Follow the steps below to create a new GPO for installing the Office plugin. If you prefer to use an existing GPO, skip this section and proceed to [Deploy the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#deploy-the-office-plugin).

1. Log in to the Domain Controller (DC) with administrator rights.
2. Open the **Group Policy Management**.

_For example, use the run command `GPMC.MSC`._
3. Navigate to the domain where you want to apply the GPO.
4. Right-click **Group Policy Objects**.
5. Select **New** to create a new GPO.
6. Provide a name for the GPO.

_For example: **Zivver Office Plugin**._
7. Ensure **Source Starter GPO** is set to **(none)**.
8. Click **OK** to confirm and create the new GPO.

_You can now proceed to [Deploy the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#deploy-the-office-plugin)._

### Deploy the Office Plugin

This section explains how to configure the new GPO to deploy the Office plugin. Two deployment methods are available:

- **[Recommended - Assign the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#assign-the-office-plugin)**: Automatically installs the Office plugin either on a system level ( _For-all-users installation_) or a user level ( _Just-for-me installation_). The installation occurs during system startup or user login.
- **[Publish the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#publish-the-office-plugin)**: Makes the Office plugin available for manual installation by users via the **Add and remove programs** pane in the **Control panel**. Note that this method is only applicable on a user level and cannot be used for system-level deployment.

#### Assign the Office plugin

01. Right-click the GPO created in the section [Create a GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#create-a-gpo).
02. Select **Edit** to open the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
03. Choose the deployment level for the Office plugin:
    - **User**: Select **User configuration**.
    - **System**: Select **Computer configuration**.
04. Expand **Policies**.
05. Expand **Software settings**.
06. Right-click **Software installation**.
07. Choose **New > Package...**.
08. Select the installer package from the shared network folder mentioned in [Share the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#share-the-office-plugin).
09. Click **Open** to confirm the selected package.
10. Choose **Assigned** as the deployment method.
11. Click **OK** to confirm.
12. Wait for the package to appear in the **Software installation** pane.
13. Right-click the package and select **Properties**.
14. Navigate to the **Deployment** tab.
15. If deploying at the **User** level, perform the following steps ( **not** applicable for **System** level):
    1. Under **Deployment options**, enable **Install this application at logon**.
    2. Under **Installation user interface options**, select **Basic**.
    3. _Optional_: To hide the Office plugin from the **Add and remove programs** pane in **Control panel**, enable **Do not display this application in the Add/Remove Programs control panel** under **Deployment options**.
16. _Optional_: To automatically uninstall the Office plugin when the user or system is no longer linked to this GPO, enable **Uninstall this application when it falls out of the scope of management** under **Deployment options**.
17. Click **OK** to save changes and close the **Properties** window.
18. Close the **Group Policy Management Editor**.

_The GPO is now configured to assign the Office plugin. Proceed to [Link the GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#link-the-gpo-to-ad-objects) to apply the GPO to users or computers. Skip the section [Publish the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#publish-the-office-plugin)._

#### Publish the Office Plugin

Follow the steps in this section if you chose **not** to [assign the Office plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#assign-the-office-plugin).

01. Right-click the GPO created in the section [Create a GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#create-a-gpo).
02. Select **Edit** to open the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
03. Since a package can only be published at the user level, choose **User configuration**.
04. Expand **Policies**.
05. Expand **Software settings**.
06. Right-click **Software installation**.
07. Select **New > Package...**.
08. Browse to the shared network folder specified in [Share the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#share-the-office-plugin) and select the installer package.
09. Click **Open** to confirm your selection.
10. Choose **Published** as the deployment method.
11. Click **OK** to confirm.
12. Wait for the package to appear in the **Software installation** pane.
13. Right-click the package and select **Properties**.
14. Navigate to the **Deployment** tab.
15. Under **Deployment options**, disable **Auto-install this application by file extension activation**, as this setting is not applicable to the Office plugin.
16. Under **Installation user interface options**, select **Basic**.
17. _Optional_: To automatically uninstall the Office plugin when the user is no longer linked to this GPO, enable **Uninstall this application when it falls out of the scope of management** under **Deployment options**.
18. Click **OK** to save changes and close the **Properties** window.
19. Close the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
    _The GPO is now configured to publish the Office plugin. Proceed to [Link the GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#link-the-gpo-to-ad-objects) to apply the GPO to users or computers._

### Link the GPO to AD objects

This section explains how to link the GPO to a domain or specific Organizational Units (OUs), ensuring the Office plugin is deployed to the AD users or computers within that domain or OU.

1. Open the **Group Policy Management**.
2. Right-click the domain or OU where you want to deploy the Office plugin.
3. Select **Link an Existing GPO…**.
4. Choose the GPO you created in the previous sections.
5. Click **OK** to confirm.

If you chose to [assign the Office plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#assign-the-office-plugin), the Office plugin will be installed automatically based on the deployment level:

- Assigning at the **System level** installs the Office plugin during system restart.
- Assigning at the **User level** installs the Office plugin during user login.

If you chose to [publish the Office plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#publish-the-office-plugin), the Office plugin will be available for users to install manually from the **Add and remove programs** pane in the **Control panel**.

### Test the installation

This section explains how to verify if the Office plugin installation was successful.

1. Apply the new GPO to the specified domain or OU:
2. Open **Group Policy Management**, for example, by running the command `GPMC.MSC`.
3. Right-click the OU linked to the GPO.
4. Select **Group Policy Update…**.
5. The GPO will now be updated for AD objects in this OU.
6. Verify the Office plugin installation for an AD object linked to the GPO:

- [Assigning](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#assign-the-office-plugin) at the **System level** installs the Office plugin during system restart.
- [Assigning](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#assign-the-office-plugin) at the **User level** installs the Office plugin during user login.
- [Publishing](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#publish-the-office-plugin) makes the Office plugin available for users to install manually from the **Add and remove programs** pane in the **Control panel**.

## Recommended Office Plugin settings

This section provides guidance on installing and configuring the recommended settings for the Zivver Office Plugin. These settings can be applied via a Group Policy Object (GPO) within an Active Directory (AD) domain or configured locally on standalone systems without AD.

To configure these settings in a GPO, you will need the following ADMX and ADML files:

- [Download the ADMX file](https://docs.zivver.com/downloads/officeplugin/office-plugin.admx)
- [Download the ADML file](https://docs.zivver.com/downloads/officeplugin/office-plugin.adml)

### Install the ADM files

You can install the ADM files using one of the following methods:

1. [**Recommended** - Central Store Installment](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#central-store-installment)

_This method ensures the ADM files are replicated across all servers within the domain, allowing consistent deployment of Office plugin settings._
2. [Local Domain Server Installment](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#local-domain-server-installment)

_This method installs the ADM files on a specific domain server, enabling deployment of Office plugin settings. However, unlike the Central Store installment, the files are not automatically replicated to other servers._
3. [Standalone System (Without AD) Installment](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#standalone-system-without-ad-installment)

_This method is suitable for standalone systems, allowing you to configure Office plugin settings without manually editing the registry._

#### Central store installment

1. Log in to one of your Domain Controllers (DC) with administrator rights.
2. Open **File Explorer**.
3. Navigate to the Central Store in the **SYSVOL** share: `%LogonServer%\SYSVOL\%UserDnsDomain%\Policies\PolicyDefinitions`.

_For example: `\\Zivver_Server\SYSVOL\Zivver.local\Policies\PolicyDefinitions`._
4. Copy the [ADMX](https://docs.zivver.com/downloads/officeplugin/office-plugin.admx) file to the folder `%LogonServer%\SYSVOL\%UserDnsDomain%\Policies\PolicyDefinitions`.
5. Copy the [ADML](https://docs.zivver.com/downloads/officeplugin/office-plugin.adml) file to the folder `%LogonServer%\SYSVOL\%UserDnsDomain%\Policies\PolicyDefinitions\en-US`.

_The ADM files are now installed in the Central Store and will appear as **Zivver Office Plugin Settings** under **Policies > Administrative Templates** in the **Group Policy Management Editor**._

#### Local domain server installment

1. Log in to a domain server with administrator rights.
2. Open **File Explorer**.
3. Navigate to the following folder: `%WinDir%\PolicyDefinitions`.

_For example: `C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions`._
4. Copy the [ADMX](https://docs.zivver.com/downloads/officeplugin/office-plugin.admx) file to `%WinDir%\PolicyDefinitions`.
5. Copy the [ADML](https://docs.zivver.com/downloads/officeplugin/office-plugin.adml) file to `%WinDir%\PolicyDefinitions\en-US`.

_The ADM files are now installed locally and should appear as **Zivver Office Plugin Settings** under **Policies > Administrative Templates** in the **Group Policy Management Editor**._

#### Standalone system (Without AD) Installment

1. Log in to the system with administrator rights.
2. Open **File Explorer**.
3. Navigate to the following folder: `%WinDir%\PolicyDefinitions`.

### Create a new GPO

This section explains how to create a new GPO for deploying the Office plugin settings. If you are configuring settings on a standalone computer or using an existing GPO, skip this section and proceed to [Configure the Recommended Office Plugin Settings](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#configure-the-recommended-office-plugin-settings).

1. Log in to the Domain Controller (DC) with administrator rights.
2. Open **Group Policy Management**.

_For example, use the run command `GPMC.MSC`._
3. Expand the folder for the domain where you want to apply the GPO.
4. Right-click **Group Policy Objects**.
5. Select **New** to create a new GPO.
6. Provide a name for the GPO.

_For example: **Recommended Zivver Office plugin settings**._
7. Ensure **Source Starter GPO** is set to **(none)**.
8. Click **OK** to confirm and create the new GPO.

### Configure the recommended Office Plugin settings

1. Right-click the GPO created in the section [Create a New GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#create-a-new-gpo) or select an existing GPO.
2. Click **Edit** to open the **Group Policy Management Editor**.

3. Choose to apply the settings at the **User level** (recommended).
4. Expand the folder **Policies**.
5. Expand the folder **Administrative Templates**.
6. Expand the folder **Zivver Office Plugin Settings**.
7. Configure the following settings:
01. Expand the folder **Additional settings**.
02. Set **Do not show tutorials to new users** to **Enabled**.
03. Expand the folder **Load Behavior**.
04. Select the folder **AddinList**.
05. Set **Prevent users from disabling the plugin in Outlook** to **Enabled** for your version of Outlook.
06. Select the folder **DoNotDisableAddinList**.
07. Set **Prevent Outlook from disabling the plugin** to **Enabled** for your version of Outlook.
08. Expand the folder **Single Sign-On**.
09. Set **Automatically add existing SSO accounts in the plugin** to **Enabled**.
10. Set **Automatically log in users via SSO** to **Enabled**.
11. Set **Extend active SSO session duration** to **Enabled** and configure the **Session duration in hours** to **720**.

_A session duration of 720 hours ensures users remain logged in to Zivver on shared workspaces for approximately one month. This setting only affects the Office plugin and does not impact session durations for other clients._
8. Close the **Group Policy Management Editor**.

_The GPO with the recommended Office plugin settings is now ready to be assigned._

If you configured the settings on a standalone system, skip the next section [Assign the GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#assign-the-gpo), as the settings are applied locally.

### Assign the GPO

This section explains how to deploy the GPO to a domain or a specific Organizational Unit (OU), ensuring the settings are applied to the Active Directory (AD) users or computers within that domain or OU.

1. Open the **Group Policy Management**.
2. Right-click the domain or OU where you want to apply the settings.
3. Select **Link an Existing GPO…**.
4. Choose the GPO you created in [Create a New GPO](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#create-a-new-gpo).
5. Click **OK** to confirm.

_The settings will now be applied to the linked AD objects during the next system restart._

### Test the recommended Office Plugin settings

This section explains how to verify that the recommended Office plugin settings have been successfully deployed.

1. Apply the new GPO to the specified domain or Organizational Unit (OU):
1. Open **Group Policy Management**, for example, by running the command `GPMC.MSC`.
2. Right-click the OU linked to the GPO.
3. Select **Group Policy Update…**.
4. The GPO will now be updated for all Active Directory (AD) objects in this OU.
2. Confirm that the recommended Office plugin settings are applied successfully by verifying the following:

- The **Zivver** tab is visible in the top ribbon of Microsoft Outlook.

- Users are unable to disable the Office plugin via **File** \> **Options** \> **Addins** \> **Manage: COM-addins** \> **Go...**.

## Update the Office Plugin

This section explains how to update the Office plugin to a newer version.

01. Open **Group Policy Management**, for example, by running the command `GPMC.MSC`.
02. Navigate to **Group Policy Objects**, then right-click the GPO associated with the Office plugin.
03. Select **Edit...** to open the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
04. Choose either **Computer configuration** or **User configuration**, depending on your deployment preference.
05. Go to **Policies > Software settings > Software installation**.
06. Right-click **Software installation** and select **New > Package...**.
07. Browse to and select the new version of the Office plugin installer.

[Download the latest MSI installer](https://downloads.zivver.com/officeplugin/latest/Zivver.OfficePlugin.Installer.msi)
08. Choose the appropriate **Deployment method**: either **Published** or **Assigned**, based on your original deployment method in the [Deploy the Office Plugin](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#deploy-the-office-plugin) section.
09. Click **OK** to confirm the deployment method.
10. Right-click the newly added Office plugin installer package.
11. Select **Properties**.
12. Navigate to the **Upgrades** tab.
13. Click **Add...**.
14. Select **Current Group Policy Object (GPO)**.
15. Under **Package to upgrade**, choose the old version of the Office plugin.
16. Enable the option **Package can upgrade over the existing package**.
17. Click **OK** to confirm and close the **Upgrade package** window.
18. Click **OK** to save changes and close the Office plugin properties window.
19. Close the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
20. Exit **Group Policy Management**.

_The new version of the Office plugin will now replace the existing version during the next system restart or user login, depending on the deployment level._

## Uninstall the Office Plugin

This section explains how to uninstall the Office plugin and remove the recommended Office plugin settings.

01. Open **Group Policy Management**, for example, by running the command `GPMC.MSC`.
02. Under **Group Policy Objects**, right-click the GPO associated with the Office plugin.
03. Select **Edit...** to open the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
04. Choose either **Computer configuration** or **User configuration**, depending on your deployment preference.
05. Navigate to **Policies > Software settings > Software installation**.
06. Right-click **Software installation** and select **Properties**.
07. Go to the **Advanced** tab.
08. Enable the option **Uninstall this application when it falls out of the scope of management**.
09. Click **OK** to save the changes.
10. In the right pane, right-click the Office plugin package.
11. Select **All tasks > Remove...**.
12. Choose **Immediately uninstall the software from users and computers** as the removal option.
13. Click **OK** to confirm.
14. Close the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
15. Exit **Group Policy Management**.
16. _Optional_: If you created a new GPO for the uninstallation in step 2, ensure you [link this policy to the desired users or computers](https://docs.zivver.com/en/admin/officeplugin/gpo-installation-manual.html#link-the-gpo-to-ad-objects). Additionally, unlink the existing GPO used for the Office plugin installation from the same users or computers to avoid conflicts, as these policies may cancel each other out during restarts.

_The Office plugin will be uninstalled after the affected computers are restarted._

### Remove recommended Office Plugin settings

01. Open **Group Policy Management**.

_For example, by running the command `GPMC.MSC`._
02. Under **Group Policy Objects**, right-click the GPO containing the additional settings.
03. Select **Edit...** to open the **Group Policy Management Editor**.
04. Choose either **Computer configuration** or **User configuration**, depending on whether the settings were applied at the system or user level.
05. Expand **Policies**.
06. Expand **Administrative Templates**.
07. Expand **Zivver Office Plugin Settings**.
08. Set all configured settings back to **Disabled**.
09. Close the **Group Policy Management Editor**.

10. Right-click the Organizational Unit (OU) linked to the GPO.
11. Select **Group Policy Update…** to apply the updated GPO to all Active Directory (AD) objects in the OU.

_The settings will now be reverted for all systems and users they were applied to._

Updated on 2026-07-03