How to Install Microsoft Visio 2021 & Project 2021 on the Same PC (Fix Click-to-Run Conflicts) - Complete Guide

The Dreaded Click-to-Run Installation Error

When attempting to install standalone editions of Microsoft Visio or Microsoft Project on a workstation that already has Office installed, thousands of users hit this roadblock error:

❌ "We're sorry, Microsoft Office installer encountered a problem because you have these Click-to-Run installer based Office programs installed on your computer. Microsoft Office installer can't work with Click-to-Run editions."

This happens because Microsoft strictly prohibits mixing Windows Installer (MSI) versions with Click-to-Run (C2R) versions, or attempting to install differing bitness (32-bit vs 64-bit) on the same machine.

The Proven Solution: Office Deployment Tool (ODT) Unified Configuration

By using Microsoft's official Office Deployment Tool (ODT), you can install both applications under the exact same Click-to-Run channel cleanly, ensuring zero runtime conflicts.

Step 1: Download the Office Deployment Tool

Download the official Office Deployment Tool directly from Microsoft.
Create a folder on your C drive: C:\ODT.
Run the downloaded executable and extract the files into C:\ODT.

Step 2: Create a Unified configuration.xml File

Inside C:\ODT, create a new text file named configuration.xml and paste the following XML:

<Configuration>
  <Add OfficeClientEdition="64" Channel="PerpetualVL2021">
    <Product ID="VisioPro2021Volume">
      <Language ID="en-us" />
    </Product>
    <Product ID="ProjectPro2021Volume">
      <Language ID="en-us" />
    </Product>
  </Add>
  <Display Level="Full" AcceptEULA="TRUE" />
  <Property Name="AUTOACTIVATE" Value="1" />
</Configuration>

Step 3: Run the Silent Installation Command

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Navigate to your ODT directory:
```
cd C:\ODT
```
Execute the configuration command:
```
setup.exe /configure configuration.xml
```
The official Microsoft installer will run and deploy both Visio 2021 Pro and Project 2021 Pro simultaneously without throwing any conflict warnings.

Step 4: Activate with Your Digital Retail Licenses

Once installation finishes, launch Microsoft Visio from your Start Menu. Go to File > Account > Change Product Key and enter your Visio license key. Next, open Microsoft Project and enter your Project license key.

Save over 90% on both standalone suites with our verified Microsoft Visio 2021 Pro + Project 2021 Pro Bundle or view standalone options in our Visio Professional 2021 Product Page.