Removing Skype from Office 365 causes PowerPoint to lose it's default URL in Settings

His Boy Elroy 26 Reputation points
2021-03-24T18:09:05.783+00:00

We are deploying a package with Configuration Manager to remove Skype for Business from our Office 365 clients as we convert users to Teams. I have downloaded the latest Office Deployment Tool and created an XML to remove Skype. I read online that there is a <Remove> attribute that can be used in the Office Deployment tool XML but that did not work for me, I opened a ticket with Microsoft to report my issue and they said that I have to use an XML with the <Add> attribute and exclude Lync. I have tested that and it works. The xml we are using is below:

<Configuration>
<Add OfficeClientEdition="32" Channel="Broad" OfficeMgmtCOM="TRUE" AllowCdnFallback="TRUE" ForceUpgrade="TRUE">
<Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
<Language ID="MatchOS" />
<ExcludeApp ID="Lync" />
</Product>
</Add>
<RemoveMSI />
<Display Level="Full" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />
<Logging Level="Standard" Path="C:\ProgramData\Shure\Logs\Office365" />
</Configuration>

We are having an issue where after the Deployment tool runs, users lose their PowerPoint protocol under settings and cannot launch the locally installed PowerPoint app from shared files in Teams. If we select "choose a default" in the screenshot below, they are directed to the Microsoft Store to purchase PowerPoint, even though PowerPoint is still installed.

Word and Excel docs do not lose their protocol and behave normally, we only have this issue with PowerPoint files.

Can anyone tell my why this protocol is lost during deployment? Also, how can I point the setting back to the locally installed PowerPoint app?

Office Management
Office Management
Office: A suite of Microsoft productivity software that supports common business tasks, including word processing, email, presentations, and data management and analysis.Management: The act or process of organizing, handling, directing or controlling something.
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Microsoft Configuration Manager Application
Microsoft Configuration Manager Application
Microsoft Configuration Manager: An integrated solution for for managing large groups of personal computers and servers.Application: A computer program designed to carry out a specific task other than one relating to the operation of the computer itself, typically to be used by end users.
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  1. Emily Hua-MSFT 27,526 Reputation points
    2021-03-25T09:47:28.13+00:00

    @His Boy Elroy

    Did these computers install other versions of Office product?
    Please locate to Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ms-powerpoint\shell\open\command, check the registry value of Default.
    The following image the screenshot of the value on my test environment.
    81497-capture57.png

    Currently, I suggest you change the Updates Channel from "Broad" to "SemiAnnual" first, as the update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps have been changed.
    <Configuration>
    <Add OfficeClientEdition="32" Channel="SemiAnnual" OfficeMgmtCOM="TRUE" AllowCdnFallback="TRUE" ForceUpgrade="TRUE">
    <Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
    <Language ID="MatchOS" />
    <ExcludeApp ID="Lync" />
    </Product>
    </Add>
    <RemoveMSI />
    <Display Level="Full" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />
    <Logging Level="Standard" Path="C:\XXXXXXX" />
    </Configuration>

    Any updates, you may post back.

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