Question about 2019 VL vs 2019 Retail converted to VL

Discussion in 'Microsoft Office' started by Cain57, Jun 28, 2020.

  1. Cain57

    Cain57 MDL Member

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    #1 Cain57, Jun 28, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2020
    I've noticed that office 2019VL is running a much older build than office 2019 Retail is running.

    I've always used VL versions of MS Office, but there seems to be a pretty big difference between 2019VL and 2019 Retail.

    Is there any real downside to running 2019 Retail converted to VL activation? It seems to be a much newer build and closer to O365 Office.

    What, if any, are the advantages now of office 2019 VL?

    I'll fiddle with both, just curious as to which one you folks prefer.

    Thanks!!
     
  2. Enthousiast

    Enthousiast MDL Tester

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    #2 Enthousiast, Jun 28, 2020
    Afaik, there is no official Office 2019 VL it's always a "converted" retail install.
     
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  3. Cain57

    Cain57 MDL Member

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    #3 Cain57, Jun 28, 2020 (OP)
  4. Windows_Addict

    Windows_Addict MDL Addicted

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    #4 Windows_Addict, Jun 28, 2020
    - C2R files are unified in nature, which means you can install any C2R based office product (including volume and retail) from only one source of files.
    - C2R files come in various update channels, (check YAOCTRU for the latest details). Where one of the channel names is "Perpetual2019" which is specially made for O2019 volume licensed product.
    - O2019 volume is a proper official product.
    - We can use any update channel with any product, however official ODT comes with many limitations, one of them restrict the installation of O2019 volume only from the Perpetual2019 C2R files, (means you can't install O2019 volume with ODT from the retail channel C2R files, though in previous versions of ODT it was possible)
    - In YAOCTRI @abbodi1406 made a proper alternate of the ODT method for deploying C2R files, it bypasses the limitations of the ODT. We can directly install the office 2019 volume from the retail files.
    - We can change the C2R office update channel after the office installation, regardless of whatever method and product was used for the installation. Check this post.

    For example the difference of builds between retail and Perpetual2019 channel at a time. (Taken from YAOCTRU)

    Channel : Perpetual2019
    Version : 16.0.10361.20002
    Updated : 2020-06-16 17:14

    Channel : Monthly
    Version : 16.0.12827.20470
    Updated : 2020-06-25 16:35
     
  5. Cain57

    Cain57 MDL Member

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    #5 Cain57, Jun 29, 2020 (OP)
    My VL Version is a much older build: Version 1808 (Build 10361.20002)

    My Retail version converted to VL is a much newer build: Version 2005 (Build 12827.20470)

    So it seems to be the best option for Office 2019 is the Retail Version, converted to VL for KMS activation.

    Is that correct?
     
  6. Windows_Addict

    Windows_Addict MDL Addicted

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    #6 Windows_Addict, Jun 29, 2020
    As mentioned in the previous post, you can install Office 2019 VL or retail version (without any conversion) with any update channel you prefer.