Enable OEM pre-installation of Office Add-ins (webaddin type) with LLM dependencies
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
As an OEM developing an AI-powered Outlook add-in that utilizes local Large Language Models (LLMs), we face a significant deployment challenge. Currently, there's no official mechanism to pre-install Office add-ins and their associated large dependencies (2-3GB LLM files) during machine manufacturing. This forces users to download both the add-in from AppSource and the large LLM files separately after OOBE (Out-of-Box Experience), which creates several issues:
- Poor initial user experience due to lengthy download and setup process
- Reduced user adoption rates due to installation friction
- Unnecessary bandwidth consumption for mass deployments
- Potential installation failures in environments with limited internet connectivity
Describe the solution you'd like
We propose implementing an OEM-specific deployment mechanism that allows:
- Pre-installation of Office add-ins during machine manufacturing phase
- Ability to package and pre-deploy large dependencies (like LLM files) alongside the add-in
- Auto-registration of the add-in with Outlook during OOBE
- A standardized directory structure and manifest configuration for OEM-deployed add-ins
- Security measures to verify the authenticity of pre-installed add-ins
This would enable OEMs to provide a seamless out-of-box experience where users can immediately start using AI-powered add-ins without additional downloads or setup steps.
Describe alternatives you've considered
- Enterprise deployment through Intune/Group Policy - Not suitable for consumer devices
- Custom installer packages - Lacks official support and may break with Office updates
- Network share deployment - Requires corporate network, not suitable for consumer scenarios
- Web-based LLM instead of local - Compromises privacy and increases operating costs
Additional context
This feature would be particularly valuable for:
- OEMs shipping devices with pre-installed productivity solutions
- Enterprise scenarios requiring offline deployment of add-ins
- Educational institutions deploying standardized software packages
- Scenarios where bandwidth conservation is critical
The ability to pre-install add-ins would significantly improve the reach and adoption of Office add-ins while providing a better user experience aligned with modern AI-powered productivity tools.