How To Change Download Preference On Mac

For reference, here’s what Display Preferences looks like on my Mac Mini, before I press the Option key. The default Display Preference options in macOS Sierra.

  1. Where Is Preferences On Mac
  2. Download Preferences On Mac
  3. How To Change Download Preferences On Mac
  4. Mail Preferences On Mac
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Starting with Version 16.28 of Office for Mac, there are new preference settings that allow you to control settings related to the following:

If you don’t care for the way the System Preferences appear in macOS, you can change them by hiding certain preference panels or by rearranging them alphabetically. Usually, when you open the System Preferences, this is more or less how they appear (your own Mac’s System Preferences may look ever so slightly different). Customize your Mac with System Preferences. You can change system settings to customize your Mac. For example, you can change the size and location of the Dock, choose a light or dark appearance, change the desktop picture, and more. To change System Preferences on your Mac, click the System Preferences icon in the Dock or choose Apple menu System Preferences. How to access the preferences menu. Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar of your computer.; Click your avatar (profile picture or initials) and select Preferences from the menu.; Depending on your operating system (Linux, macOS, or Windows), you may see some or all of the options below in the preferences menu. In System Preferences, you can move the location of the clock from the menu bar to a separate window. You can change the appearance of the clock from a digital readout to an analog face with hands. You can display the time with seconds or use a 24-hour clock. You can even have the Mac announce the time on the hour, the half hour, or the quarter. Firefox displays this message in its download window: This download has been blocked by your Security Zone Policy. To change the settings, open the Start Menu and choose Control Panel. Click Classic View. Look for the Internet Options icon and double-click it.

  • Diagnostic data that is collected and sent to Microsoft about Office client software being used.

  • Connected experiences that use cloud-based functionality to provide enhanced Office features to you and your users.

In addition, there is a new preference setting related to a Required Data Notice dialog for Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU).

For more information about diagnostic data and connected experiences, see Overview of privacy controls.

Note

  • For information about similar settings for Office on computers running Windows, see Use policy settings to manage privacy controls for Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.
  • For information about similar settings for Office on iOS devices, see Use preferences to manage privacy controls for Office on iOS devices.

Setting preferences

These new preference settings are CFPreferences API compatible and can be set using the defaults command in Terminal, or enforced through a Configuration Profile or Mobile Device Management (MDM) server. When the preferences are enforced, the user cannot change the values, and any in-app controls will appear disabled.

Note

You can also use the Office cloud policy service and these 5 policy settings:

  • Configure the level of client software diagnostic data sent by Office to Microsoft
  • Allow the use of connected experiences in Office that analyze content
  • Allow the use of connected experiences in Office that download online content
  • Allow the use of additional optional connected experiences in Office
  • Allow the use of connected experiences in Office

For more information on using the Office cloud policy service, see Overview of the Office cloud policy service.

Preference setting for diagnostic data

Diagnostic data is used to keep Office secure and up-to-date, detect, diagnose and remediate problems, and also make product improvements. For more information, see Diagnostic data sent from Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise to Microsoft.

Preference Domaincom.microsoft.office
KeyDiagnosticDataTypePreference
Data TypeString
Possible valuesBasicDiagnosticData(this sets the level to Required)
FullDiagnosticData(this sets the level to Optional)
ZeroDiagnosticData(this sets the level to Neither)
Availability16.28 and later

Starting with new installations of Version 16.30, if you don't set this preference, only required diagnostic data is sent to Microsoft if users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription are signed in with a work or school account or if users have a volume licensed version of Office 2019 for Mac. Also, these users can't change the level of diagnostic data regardless of how you set this preference.

Note

  • If you install Version 16.28 or 16.29 and you don't set this preference, both optional and required diagnostic data is sent to Microsoft. If you then upgrade to Version 16.30 or later, both optional and required diagnostic data is still sent to Microsoft, unless you use this preference to set a different value.
  • If you set this preference, it also will apply to Version 1.00.217856 and later of Teams for Mac and to Version 16.28 and later of Skype for Business for Mac.

For other users, such as home users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription, only required diagnostic data is sent, unless the user chooses to also send optional diagnostic data by going to Preferences > Privacy.

Preference setting for connected experiences that analyze your content

Connected experiences that analyze your content are experiences that use your Office content to provide you with design recommendations, editing suggestions, data insights, and similar features. For example, PowerPoint Designer or Researcher in Word. For a list of these connected experiences, see Connected experiences in Office.

Preference Domaincom.microsoft.office
KeyOfficeExperiencesAnalyzingContentPreference
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesTRUE(enabled)
FALSE(disabled)
Availability16.28 and later

If you don't set this preference, connected experiences that analyze content are available to users.

If the user has an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription and is signed in with a work or school account or if the user has a volume licensed version of Office 2019 for Mac, then the user can't turn off connected experiences that analyze content.

For other users, such as home users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription, the user can choose to turn off connected experiences that analyze content by going to Preferences > Privacy.

Preference setting for connected experiences that download online content

Connected experiences that download online content are experiences that allow you to search and download online content including templates, images, 3D models, videos, and reference materials to enhance your documents. For example, Office templates or PowerPoint QuickStarter. For a list of these connected experiences, see Connected experiences in Office.

Preference Domaincom.microsoft.office
KeyOfficeExperiencesDownloadingContentPreference
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesTRUE(enabled)
FALSE(disabled)
Availability16.28 and later

If you don't set this preference, connected experiences that download online content are available to users.

If the user has an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription and is signed in with a work or school account or if the user has a volume licensed version of Office 2019 for Mac, then the user can't turn off connected experiences that download online content.

For other users, such as home users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription, a user can choose to turn off connected experiences that download online content by going to Preferences > Privacy.

Preference setting for optional connected experiences

In addition to the connected experiences mentioned above, there are some optional connected experiences that you may choose to allow your users to access with their organization account, which is sometimes referred to as a work or school account. For example, the LinkedIn features of the Resume Assistant in Word or the Weather Bar in Outlook, which uses MSN Weather. For more examples, see Overview of optional connected experiences in Office.

Preference Domaincom.microsoft.office
KeyOptionalConnectedExperiencesPreference
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesTRUE(enabled)
FALSE(disabled)
Availability16.28 and later

If you don't set this preference, optional connected experiences are available to users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription that are signed in with a work or school account or users who have a volume licensed version of Office 2019 for Mac. Unless you have set this preference to FALSE, these users can choose to turn off optional connected experiences by going to Preferences > Privacy.

For other users, such as home users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription, there isn't an option to turn off optional connected experiences.

Preference setting for most connected experiences

You can use this preference to control whether most connected experiences are available to your users.

Preference Domaincom.microsoft.office
KeyConnectedOfficeExperiencesPreference
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesTRUE(enabled)
FALSE(disabled)
Availability16.28 and later

If you don't set this preference, all connected experiences are available to your users, unless you have set one of the other preferences for connected experiences previously mentioned, such as OfficeExperiencesAnalyzingContentPreference.

For example, if you set this preference to FALSE, the following types of connected experiences won't be available to your users:

Where Is Preferences On Mac

  • Experiences that analyze your content
  • Experiences that download online content
  • Optional connected experiences

In addition, if you set this preference to FALSE, most other connected experiences are also turned off, such as co-authoring and online file storage. For a list of these other connected experiences, see Connected experiences in Office.

Download

But even if you set this preference to FALSEc230 repair manual download , limited Office functionality will remain available, such as synching a mailbox in Outlook, and Teams and Skype for Business will continue to work. Essential services, such as the licensing service that confirms that you’re properly licensed to use Office, will also remain available.

If the user has an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription and is signed in with a work or school account or if the user has a volume licensed version of Office 2019 for Mac, then the user can't turn off most connected experiences.

For other users, such as home users with an Office 365 (or Microsoft 365) subscription, a user can choose to turn off most connected experiences by going to Preferences > Privacy.

Preference setting for the Required Data Notice dialog for Microsoft AutoUpdate

The first time Version 4.12 or later of Microsoft AutoUpdate (MAU) is launched, users will see a Required Data Notice dialog which provides them with information about what data from MAU is sent to Microsoft.

If you don't want your users to see this Required Data Notice dialog for Microsoft AutoUpdate, you can set the following preference. Regardless of which value you set, the dialog won't be shown to your users.

Preference Domaincom.microsoft.autoupdate2
KeyAcknowledgedDataCollectionPolicy
Data TypeString
Possible valuesRequiredDataOnly
RequiredAndOptionalData
Availability4.12 and later

If you let your users see this dialog, then when the user chooses OK, the value RequiredDataOnly is written to AcknowledgedDataCollectionPolicy and the dialog is not shown to the user again.

Related topics

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Applies to:Outlook for Mac, Outlook 2019 for Mac

As an IT admin, you may want to provide Outlook for Mac users in your organization with a standard set of preferences in either of the following ways:

  • Set a default preference, which users can change.
  • Force a particular preference, which users can’t change.

The following preferences can be used to simplify account setup for Office 365 mailboxes, help protect company data, and support a streamlined user experience.

These keys are CFPreferences-compatible, which means that it can be set by using enterprise management software for Mac, such as Jamf Pro.

Change

Mailbox settings

Automatically configure Office 365 mailbox on first launch

The email address used for Office activation will be added on first launch.

Domaincom.microsoft.office
KeyOfficeAutoSignIn
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.17
CommentsThis key also suppresses first run dialogs for other Office apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

Specify Office 365 mailbox to be added on first launch

Set the domain or full email address of Office 365 mailbox to be added on first launch.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDefaultEmailAddressOrDomain
Data TypeString
Possible valuesvarious (example: 'contoso.com')
Availability16.18
CommentsThe full email address or domain specified will be added in Outlook instead of the Office activation email address.

Allow only corporate mailboxes to be added

Specify one or more domains users are allowed to add in Outlook.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyAllowedEmailDomains
Data TypeArray of Strings
Possible valuesVarious (example: 'contoso.com$')
Availability16.18
CommentsFormat strings as regular expressions. Does not remove or disconnect accounts already added in Outlook.

Hide text about adding non-corporate mailboxes

Hide the “Did you know? Outlook supports…” text in the Set Up Your Email success dialog box.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyHideCanAddOtherAccountTypesTipText
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.18
CommentsOnly hides text. Does not impact ability to add non-corporate mailboxes.

Import/export settings

Disable import

Prevent users from being able to import archive files (.olm and .pst) and Outlook 2011 for Mac data.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDisableImport
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.18
CommentsKey must be set to true and forced.

Disable export

Prevent users from being able to export archive files (.olm).

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDisableExport
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.18
CommentsKey must be set to true and forced.

Online meetings settings

Disable Skype for Business online meetings

Prevent users from adding Skype for Business online meeting details to events.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDisableSkypeMeeting
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.19
CommentsKey must be set to true and forced.

Disable Teams online meetings

Prevent users from adding Teams online meeting details to events.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDisableTeamsMeeting
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.20
CommentsKey must be set to true and forced.

Weather location settings

Specify default weather location

Set default location for weather in calendar view.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDefaultWeatherLocation
Data TypeString
Possible valuesVarious (example: “Paris, France”)
Availability16.18
CommentsUse the format returned by the weather location search within Outlook.

Disable automatic updating of weather location

Prevent users from choosing Update Location Automatically for weather location.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyWeather_update_automatically
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.19

Other settings

Hide local folders

Prevent users from viewing local On My Computer folders in the sidebar.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyHideFoldersOnMyComputerRootInFolderList
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.17
CommentsFound under Outlook > Preferences > General > Sidebar.

Specify when pictures are downloaded for email

Set when pictures are automatically downloaded from the internet for email.

Download Preferences On Mac

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyAutomaticallyDownloadExternalContent
Data TypeInteger
Possible values0 = Never (default)
1 = In messages from my contacts
2 = In all messages
Availability16.17
CommentsFound under Outlook > Preferences > Email > Reading > Security.

Disable signatures

Prevent users from being able to create, edit, and add client-side signatures.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyDisableSignatures
Data TypeBoolean
Possible valuesfalse (default)
true
Availability16.18
CommentsKey must be set to true and forced.

Specify calendar first day of week

How To Change Download Preferences On Mac

Set the first day of week in calendar view.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyCalendarFirstDayOfWeek
Data TypeInteger
Possible values1 = Sunday (default)
2 = Monday
3 = Tuesday
4 = Wednesday
5 = Thursday
6 = Friday
7 = Saturday
Availability16.19

Enable New Outlook

Set the availability and default position of the New Outlook switch.

Domaincom.microsoft.Outlook
KeyEnableNewOutlook
Data TypeInteger
Possible values0 = Switch hidden (default)
1 = Switch displayed, default off
2 = Switch displayed, default on
3 = New Outlook enabled with switch hidden
Availability16.38

Mail Preferences On Mac

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