MigrateArch tool

[Bill D]

Operating system::    Win 11
Outlook version:     OL 2019 Pro Plus
Email type or host:    IMAP

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I would like to migrate the Outlook 2019 Pro Plus installed on my Win 11 PC from 32-bit to 64-bit without losing any of my OL configuration or settings.

When searching, I came across Microsoft’s MigrateArch tool - Change a Microsoft 365 Apps installation from 32-bit to 64-bit - Deploy Office | Microsoft Learn

It seems like it should do what I want but it sure looks complicated. Has anyone used this tool?

 

[Diane Poremsky]

It's just the ODT - office deployment tool - with values set to change office from one bitness to another. That part is not confusing imo but using the ODT itself can be. Getting a valid XML is often the hardest part but this will help you get a valid config form: https://config.office.com/

This would upgrade 32 bit to 64.
Add OfficeClientEdition="64" MigrateArch="TRUE"

 

[Bill D]

It's just the ODT - office deployment tool - with values set to change office from one bitness to another. That part is not confusing imo but using the ODT itself can be. Getting a valid XML is often the hardest part but this will help you get a valid config form: https://config.office.com/

This would upgrade 32 bit to 64.
Add OfficeClientEdition="64" MigrateArch="TRUE"

Maybe not confusing to you but trying to understand this tool is making my head spin. A step-by-step guide would be really nice.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

I was speaking just to the MigrateArch portion. Using ODT is confusing. After I did it once, it was less confusing.

Go through the steps at https://config.office.com/deploymentsettings to create the Xml file.

I was installing on my own computer, so used a command line -
"D:\OneDrive - Cdolive LLC dba Slipstick Systems\OfficeDeploymentTool\setup.exe" /configure configuration.xml

This is what the config file would look like if I need to upgrade from 32 to 64 bit.

<Configuration ID="f9f7c212-dfde-438d-b533-3645df6e52f3">
  <Info Description="" />
  <Add OfficeClientEdition="64" Channel="CurrentPreview" MigrateArch="TRUE">
    <Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
      <Language ID="en-us" />
      <ExcludeApp ID="Groove" />
      <ExcludeApp ID="Lync" />
    </Product>
  </Add>
  <Property Name="SharedComputerLicensing" Value="0" />
  <Property Name="FORCEAPPSHUTDOWN" Value="TRUE" />
  <Property Name="DeviceBasedLicensing" Value="0" />
  <Property Name="SCLCacheOverride" Value="0" />
  <Updates Enabled="TRUE" />
  <RemoveMSI />
  <AppSettings>
    <Setup Name="Company" Value="CDOLive LLC dba Slipstick Systems" />
    <User Key="software\microsoft\office\16.0\excel\options" Name="defaultformat" Value="51" Type="REG_DWORD" App="excel16" Id="L_SaveExcelfilesas" />
    <User Key="software\microsoft\office\16.0\powerpoint\options" Name="defaultformat" Value="27" Type="REG_DWORD" App="ppt16" Id="L_SavePowerPointfilesas" />
    <User Key="software\microsoft\office\16.0\word\options" Name="defaultformat" Value="" Type="REG_SZ" App="word16" Id="L_SaveWordfilesas" />
  </AppSettings>
  <Display Level="Full" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />
</Configuration>

 

[Bill D]

Thanks much Diane but I'm still overwhelmed trying to understand this. I don't know how to answer most of the questions on that form. I simply want everything to stay the same except the bitness. Seems like "stay the same" should be the default answer to all questions.

I'm sure there's a lot of folks that simply want to go from 32 to 64 bit, so a simple one-click solution (like Windows Update or my Tesla Updates) would be well-received. They often make major changes to the SW but put all the settings back where they found them.

The document "Overview of the OCT" says, "If you're not an enterprise administrator and are looking to install Office in your home or business, see Install Office with Office 365." However, a full uninstall and install would require re-creating all of my customization and configuration settings manually (a big pain).

If there was a way to export all customizations and configuration settings from the 32-bit installation and import them back into the 64-bit version that would do the trick.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

If you have a consumer or retail version of office, you cannot use ODT. I thought you were asking as an admin. Sorry.

However, a full uninstall and install would require re-creating all of my customization and configuration settings manually (a big pain).

No, it should not. Do a simple uninstall - don't use the scrub utility. Reboot. Install office from your Microsoft account - 64bit should be the default installation. All settings and files should be picked up. To the best of my recollection, there are no settings that are specific to 32-bit.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Oh... and as insurance - export the office registry keys. Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office

If you are really worried, you can back up the folders that are office related at
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\
C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\

This would include proofing, templates, signatures... plus any folders named for the app.

None of the above is necessary, but could ease your mind.