3CX Outlook Plugin - silent install, Microsoft Outlook as default option

[TheLandyMan]

Hi Team,

We've sucessfully deployed the 3CX Desktop app via Intune/MEM quietly to users machines - worked flawlessly, real simple stuff.

I'm now working on getting the 3CXPlugins.exe file deployed silently as well so that dialling from Outlook works correctly. If I install the client manually, select the Microsoft Outlook option in the menu, then I am able to dial from Outlook easily - works a treat. Though if use the /quiet switch to install, it installs the plugin - but the option to "Call contact via 3CX" is greyed out. The other call option, whilst not greyed out - does not work - regardless of whether 3CX is the default dialler or not.

Anyone know of a switch or an entry that can be edited to make the "Call contact via 3CX" option not greyed out?

Cheers,
-A.

 

[Evolute IT]

Hi Team,

We've sucessfully deployed the 3CX Desktop app via Intune/MEM quietly to users machines - worked flawlessly, real simple stuff.

I'm now working on getting the 3CXPlugins.exe file deployed silently as well so that dialling from Outlook works correctly. If I install the client manually, select the Microsoft Outlook option in the menu, then I am able to dial from Outlook easily - works a treat. Though if use the /quiet switch to install, it installs the plugin - but the option to "Call contact via 3CX" is greyed out. The other call option, whilst not greyed out - does not work - regardless of whether 3CX is the default dialler or not.

Anyone know of a switch or an entry that can be edited to make the "Call contact via 3CX" option not greyed out?

Cheers,
-A.

The 3CXPlugins work only with the old Windows client, not the new DesktopApp (which looks like the Webclient.)

 

[TheLandyMan]

The 3CXPlugins work only with the old Windows client, not the new DesktopApp (which looks like the Webclient.)

Thanks - We are using the old Windows Client at this time.

 

[Evolute IT]

Thanks - We are using the old Windows Client at this time.

Okay in this case it is indeed strange.

I'm sure the staff will want to check this.

 

[TheLandyMan]

Thanks - look forward to hearing. Interestingly - when you do a silent install instead of a manual install, a registry entry for the outlook client under HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\TCX.MicrosoftOutlookAddin adds an additional slash in the manifest URL. I thought for a second it may be the cause of it not working correcting, though manually updating it didn't change anything.

 

[Evolute IT]

Thanks - look forward to hearing. Interestingly - when you do a silent install instead of a manual install, a registry entry for the outlook client under HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\TCX.MicrosoftOutlookAddin adds an additional slash in the manifest URL. I thought for a second it may be the cause of it not working correcting, though manually updating it didn't change anything.

Try removing the slash and restarting outlook... just for fun.

 

[TheLandyMan]

Yep - "though manually updating it didn't change anything." There's something amiss - seems to be a little more deeper than that unfortunately.. where I'm not sure.

 

[NickD_3CX]

Hi!

We generally haven't tested the deployment of the Outlook Plugin via Intune so I really couldn't say if and how it should work.

If you are working with a 3CX Partner, I would suggest asking them to open a ticket with the 3CX Support Team in case they have some idea.

 

[TheLandyMan]

Thanks - but the issue isn't the Intune deployment - that's the easy bit. The issue is the use of the /quiet switch when executing the 3cxplugins.exe file - even if you just run this at the command prompt. When you add the /quiet switch, there's no way I've been able to find to add a switch to select the Microsoft Outlook option instead of TAPI. There's a heap of switches if you run the /? switch against it, though that doesn't give an option for these two.

 

[NickD_3CX]

Sorry, I can see I wasn't clear enough. Generally, we never had any provision or intention of creating an unattended/silent way of installing this package as far as I am aware.

The only reason the "/quiet" switch exists is due to the installer packaging.

Also as the "3CX Plugins" package is for the now 'legacy' 3CX Windows Client, this is also End of Development.
All active development is currently being done on the new Desktop App which is based on Electron.

As some features, like TAPI and Outlook Integration are missing from the new Desktop App, we still haven't deprecated and removed the 'legacy' Client, but the functionality will remain as is without receiving any further improvements.