Upgrade Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook

Follow these steps for a smooth upgrade to Dynamics 365 for Outlook.

  1. If you're using a version of CRM for Outlook earlier than Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook, uninstall it and install Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook. Then do Step 4.

  2. Upgrade Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook to Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook.

  3. Upgrade Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook to December 2016 Update for Dynamics 365 apps (Dynamics 365 for Outlook).

Tip

With all the changes going on with Dynamics 365 terminology and versions, the following table could add some clarity.

Name What is this?
CRM 2015 for Outlook Version: 07.00.0000.3543.

Published: 11/20/2014.

Download.

This is a full installation of CRM for Outlook.
CRM 2016 for Outlook Version: 08.00.0000.1088.

Published: 11/26/2015.

Download.

This is a full installation of CRM for Outlook.
December 2016 Update for Dynamics 365 apps Version: 08.02.0000.0749.

Published: 12/16/2016.

Download.

This is an update for CRM 2016 for Outlook and not a full installation.
Dynamics 365 for Outlook This is the new name for Dynamics CRM for Outlook.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook upgrade requirements

Requirement Description
Understand Dynamics 365 for Outlook compatibility requirements Dynamics 365 for Outlook has a variety of software dependencies that must be understood and adhered to for a successful upgrade. For a current and historical view of these dependencies, see Dynamics 365 for Outlook support matrixes
Use a PC that has sufficient hardware For the best performance when you run Dynamics 365 for Outlook, make sure your PC is running 64-bit Windows and 64-bit Microsoft Office and has sufficient hard disk and RAM. More information: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook hardware requirements
Verify that you have appropriate permission To install or upgrade Dynamics 365 for Outlook, you must have local administrator permission on the computer where you perform the installation or upgrade.
Verify base language To upgrade Dynamics 365 for Outlook, the base language of Dynamics 365 for Outlook must match the base language of Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook.
Verify Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook is in online mode You cannot upgrade Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook when it is in Go offline mode. You must bring Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook online before you can upgrade to Dynamics 365 for Outlook. To check, in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook: click File > Dynamics CRM and verify the tile says Go Offline.

Task 1: Upgrade Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook to Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook

Follow this procedure to upgrade to Dynamics 365 for Outlook on a computer that has Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook installed.

  1. Log on to the computer as a user who has local Administrators group permissions.

  2. Best practice: Make sure that all Microsoft Office security updates are installed. To verify, visit Microsoft Update.

  3. Locate and run the appropriate installation file:

    • To install from a DVD, double-click SetupClient.exe in the installation folder for the architecture (32-bit or 64-bit) of Microsoft Office that you’ve installed:

      • ... \Client\amd64 for 64-bit

      • ... \Client\i386 for 32-bit

    • To install from the web, open the Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook (Outlook Client) download page and then download and run the installation package.

    • To install from the Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement user interface, click Get Dynamics 365 for Outlook on the message bar. If you see any dialog boxes titled Security Warning, click Run in each.

      The Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook Setup wizard starts.

  4. On the License Agreement page, review the information. If you accept the license agreement, select I accept the license agreement, and then click Next.

  5. On the Upgrade page, click Upgrade Now.

  6. Setup stores your configuration information, installs the program features, and displays a progress indicator. Your configuration information is reapplied in the new installation.

  7. On the completion page of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook Setup wizard, click Close.

Task 2: Update Dynamics 2016 for Outlook

Follow this procedure to upgrade Dynamics 365 for Outlook on a computer that has it installed.

  1. Browse to December 2016 Update for Dynamics 365 apps and run either the 32-bit (CRM2016-Client-KB3205084-ENU-I386.exe) or 64-bit (CRM2016-Client-KB3205084-ENU-Amd64.exe) package.

  2. Complete the installation steps and close the program.

Task 3: Configure Dynamics 365 for Outlook

After the upgrade from Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook, Dynamics 365 for Outlook attempts to use the configuration information that was used by Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook.

When your restart Outlook after the upgrade of Dynamics 365 for Outlook, you will know that reconfiguration is necessary if the Configuration Wizard automatically starts.

If you don’t want to configure Dynamics 365 for Outlook immediately after you install it, click Cancel on the Configure Organization page of the wizard. A Configure Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook button then appears on the Outlook toolbar and remains there until you configure Dynamics 365 for Outlook.

If the Configuration Wizard doesn’t start automatically, you can start it as described in the following procedure.

To configure Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook

  1. Start the Configuration Wizard: On the Start screen, click Configuration Wizard or on earlier versions of Windows click Start > All Programs > Microsoft Dynamics 365 apps > Configuration Wizard. Alternatively, click Configure Dynamics 365 for Outlook on the Dynamics 365 apps tab in Outlook.

  2. Click Delete or Add to remove or add a Customer Engagement organization.

  3. To add an organization, choose the option appropriate for you.

    • To connect to a Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement organization, choose **Dynamics 365 apps ** from the drop-down menu.
  4. Click Connect.

    If you are prompted for credentials, select from the following options.

    • For a Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement organization, enter your Microsoft Online Services user name and password, and then click OK. This information should have been sent to you in email when your account was added.
  5. Click Close.

  6. If you are a member of more than one organization, restart the Configuration Wizard to designate a different organization as your current organization.

Silent installation and configuration

You use the command prompt to install and configure Dynamics 365 for Outlook. More information: Install Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook using a Command Prompt

Cross-architecture upgrade of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Outlook

If you intend to change to a different architecture (move from 32-bit to 64-bit) while upgrading, note the following:

  • In-place cross-architecture upgrade is not supported. If you are running Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook 32-bit, you can perform an in-place upgrade only to 32-bit Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook. This also applies to Microsoft Office: If you are running and intend to retain a 32-bit version of Microsoft Office, you can upgrade only to 32-bit Dynamics CRM 2016 for Outlook.

  • Cross-architecture upgrade requires uninstalling and reinstalling. If you have a 64-bit PC running a 64-bit version of Microsoft Windows, you can change from 32-bit to 64-bit Dynamics 365 for Outlook by performing the following steps in the order listed.

    1. Make sure that your PC has a 64-bit version of Windows. How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.

    2. Uninstall Dynamics CRM 2015 for Outlook.

    3. Uninstall Microsoft Office.

    4. Install a 64-bit edition of Microsoft Office.

    5. Install the 64-bit edition of Dynamics 365 for Outlook.

    For more information about installing Dynamics 365 for Outlook, see Install Dynamics 365 for Outlook.