# Office 365 Channel Mismatch

## Problem

The Microsoft 365 Apps update channel detected on a managed computer does not match the channel required by your organization.

## Cause

Changing the channel configuration alone does not immediately change the installed Microsoft 365 build. The new channel is reflected only after Microsoft 365 installs a build published for that channel.

## Resolution

Use the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool (ODT) to change the update channel, and then update Microsoft 365 Apps.

### Create the channel configuration

1. Download and extract the Microsoft Office Deployment Tool to obtain `setup.exe`.
2. Create a file named `updateChannel.xml` in the same folder.
3. Add the following configuration and replace `Current` with the required channel value:

```xml
<Configuration>
  <Updates Channel="Current" />
  <Display Level="None" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />
</Configuration>
```

Supported channel values for this configuration are `Current`, `MonthlyEnterprise`, `SemiAnnual`, and `SemiAnnualPreview`.

### Deploy the configuration

1. Compress `setup.exe` and `updateChannel.xml` into a ZIP file.
2. Create a software package using the ZIP file.
3. Set the installation command to `setup.exe /configure updateChannel.xml`.
4. Deploy the package to the affected computers.

### Install a build from the new channel

The channel switch takes effect after a Microsoft 365 build from the selected channel is installed. After deploying the configuration, use either of these methods:

- Scan the computer and deploy the next applicable Microsoft 365 patch from Vulnerability Manager Plus.
- Open a Microsoft 365 application and select **Account → Office Updates → Update Options → Update Now**.

## Verify the Update Channel

1. Wait for the Microsoft 365 update to complete.
2. Run a patch scan on the computer.
3. Confirm that the detected Microsoft 365 update channel matches the channel selected in `updateChannel.xml`.

## Related

- [Microsoft 365 (Office 365) Patch Deployment](https://www.manageengine.com/vulnerability-management/help/patch-management/office-365-patch-deployment.html)