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Windows 11 does not use the old standalone RSAT .msu installer. Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) are delivered as Windows Features on Demand (FoD), which you install through Optional features, PowerShell, or matching offline media.
RSAT requires Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, local administrator rights, network access to the servers you manage, and appropriate permissions on those servers. Windows 11 Home is not supported.
Before installing RSAT
Check the Windows edition, version, and architecture before choosing an installation method. Open Settings > System > About and review:
- Edition: Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise
- Version: the installed Windows release, such as 23H2, 24H2, or 25H2
- System type: x64 or Arm64
Offline Features on Demand media must match both the Windows release and the device architecture. A Windows 11 23H2 FoD source should not be assumed to work with Windows 11 24H2 or 25H2.
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To open the Optional features page directly, press Win+R, enter the following command, and select OK:
ms-settings:optionalfeaturesInstall RSAT from Windows Settings
This is the simplest method when Windows Update can download optional components.
- Right-click Start and select Settings.
- Open System > Optional features.
- Next to Add an optional feature, select View features. Some builds show Add a feature or a + button instead.
- Search for
RSAT. - Select the required component, such as RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools.
- Select Next, then Add.
Windows Update supplies the files for this installation. If the computer is offline or controlled by WSUS or another update policy that does not provide optional content, use PowerShell with a valid source or follow the offline procedure below.
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Install RSAT with PowerShell
Use Windows PowerShell as Administrator, not Command Prompt. First list the RSAT capabilities available to the current Windows image:
Get-WindowsCapability -Online |
Where-Object Name -like 'RSAT*' |
Select-Object Name, StateTypical states are NotPresent and Installed. Do not guess capability names; copy the exact name returned by this command.
Install the Active Directory tools
The documented capability name for the Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services tools is:
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0A successful operation normally reports Online : True. A restart is usually not required, although PowerShell reports whether one is needed.
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- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Install selected RSAT components
Use the exact capability identifiers returned by Get-WindowsCapability:
$Capabilities = @(
'Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0'
# Add other exact RSAT capability names here
)
$Capabilities | ForEach-Object {
Add-WindowsCapability -Online -Name $_
}RSAT is modular. Installing the Active Directory tools does not automatically install DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, WSUS, or Server Manager tools.
Install every available RSAT capability
If this computer should have all RSAT components, run:
Get-WindowsCapability -Online |
Where-Object Name -like 'RSAT*' |
Add-WindowsCapability -OnlineReview the list first if you want to avoid installing unnecessary administration tools.
Confirm that RSAT is installed
Run the listing command again:
Get-WindowsCapability -Online |
Where-Object Name -like 'RSAT*' |
Select-Object Name, StateEach installed component should show Installed. You can also open Start > All apps > Windows Tools. Depending on the component, RSAT appears as an MMC snap-in, PowerShell module, command-line utility, or Server Manager feature.
Offline RSAT installation on Windows 11
The supported offline source is the Windows 11 Languages and Optional Features ISO. This is not the same as downloading a random RSAT CAB file or using the old Windows 10-style RSAT .msu.
The ISO is normally obtained through Microsoft volume licensing or an organization’s licensed Microsoft software distribution channel. It contains a repository named:
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LanguagesAndOptionalFeaturesThe media must match:
- The installed Windows 11 release
- The device architecture, such as x64 or Arm64
- The required capability and its related repository metadata
Mount the offline ISO
- Obtain the licensed, matching Windows 11 Languages and Optional Features ISO.
- Copy it to removable storage or make it available through an internal file share.
- On the target computer, right-click the ISO and select Mount.
- Note the assigned drive letter. The example below uses
E:.
The usual source path is:
E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeaturesList RSAT capabilities from the offline source
Open PowerShell as Administrator and verify what the source contains:
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Get-WindowsCapability -Online `
-Source 'E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures' `
-LimitAccess |
Where-Object Name -like 'RSAT*' |
Select-Object Name, StateThe -LimitAccess parameter prevents Windows from contacting Windows Update. Servicing is restricted to the specified repository.
Install one component from the ISO
Add-WindowsCapability `
-Online `
-Name 'Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0' `
-Source 'E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures' `
-LimitAccessInstall all available RSAT components from the ISO
Get-WindowsCapability `
-Online `
-Source 'E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures' `
-LimitAccess |
Where-Object Name -like 'RSAT*' |
Add-WindowsCapability `
-Online `
-Source 'E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures' `
-LimitAccessIf the repository contains only selected capability files, install the exact capability names that the source reports rather than attempting to install the entire RSAT set.
Equivalent DISM command
You can perform the same operation with DISM:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0 /Source:E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures /LimitAccessUse /Add-Capability for Features on Demand. Do not use the older DISM /Add-Package approach for RSAT FoD installation; some capabilities need satellite packages and repository metadata that capability servicing handles correctly.
Offline installation requirements that commonly cause failures
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Windows release | The ISO must match the installed Windows 11 release. |
| Architecture | Use x64 media for x64 Windows and Arm64 media for Arm64 Windows. |
| Repository structure | Use the complete LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures repository, not a folder containing a few manually copied CAB files. |
| Source path | Point -Source to the repository folder, such as E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures. |
| Network behavior | Use -LimitAccess when the installation must remain fully offline. |
Manually copying individual CAB files is unreliable and unsupported for capabilities that require satellite packages. If a custom repository is necessary, create it using Microsoft’s supported DISM export process rather than assembling it by hand.
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RSAT on Windows 11 Arm64
Windows 11 version 25H2 on Arm64 has a documented exception for certain RSAT snap-ins. These can be accessed through:
Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off
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The documented Arm64 snap-ins include:
- Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools
- Active Directory Certificate Services Tools
- Server Manager
- Group Policy Management Tools
- DNS Server Tools
- DHCP Server Tools
This does not make the legacy Windows Features dialog a universal installation method. On normal Windows 11 x64 installations, use Optional features or PowerShell.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshooting RSAT installation
RSAT does not appear in Optional features
Check the following:
- The edition is Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise, not Home.
- The Optional features page is under Settings > System > Optional features. Older or incompletely updated builds may place it under Settings > Apps.
- The device is not using a policy that hides optional features.
- The Windows version and architecture are supported.
- Windows can reach its configured optional-content source.
Error 0x800F0954
0x800F0954 means Windows could not find optional content through the configured update service. It is common on devices managed by WSUS, Configuration Manager, or restrictive update policies.
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Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair
Where organizational policy allows it, configure the option to:
Download repair content and optional features directly from Windows Update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
Another option is to provide a valid alternate source. For a disconnected computer, use the matching FoD ISO with -Source and -LimitAccess. Do not permanently bypass company update policy by editing the registry without direction from the organization’s administrators.
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0x800F081F means the source files could not be found. Common causes are an incorrect Windows release, wrong architecture, an invalid source path, incomplete CAB copying, missing repository metadata, or a source that does not contain the requested capability.
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Try the complete matching repository:
Add-WindowsCapability `
-Online `
-Name 'Rsat.ActiveDirectory.DS-LDS.Tools~~~~0.0.1.0' `
-Source 'E:LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures' `
-LimitAccessGet-WindowsCapability is not recognized
This is a PowerShell cmdlet, not a Command Prompt command. Open Windows PowerShell with Run as administrator. Pasting the command into cmd.exe produces a “not recognized” error.
RSAT installs, but a tool is missing
Install each required capability separately. RSAT components are independent, so installing AD DS tools does not install DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, WSUS, or Server Manager.
RSAT installs, but cannot manage the server
Installation only puts the management tools on the client. It does not grant access to remote servers. Confirm network connectivity, firewall and remote-management configuration, appropriate administrative permissions, and compatibility between the tool and the server role.
What not to use
| Claim | Correct position |
|---|---|
Download a Windows 11 RSAT .msu |
Current Windows 11 uses Features on Demand. |
| Install RSAT on Windows 11 Home | Home is not a supported RSAT edition. |
| Use Control Panel for every RSAT component | Use Optional features or PowerShell, except for the documented Arm64 25H2 snap-ins. |
| Install RSAT from WSUS-hosted FoD packages | Use Windows Update, an approved alternate source, or matching offline media. |
| Copy a few CAB files into any folder | Use the complete FoD repository or a properly exported repository. |
| Install one component to get the complete suite | RSAT tools are separate capabilities. |
Microsoft documentation
- Install and manage Remote Server Administration Tools in Windows
- Features on Demand
- Add, remove, or hide Windows features
- Add-WindowsCapability PowerShell reference
- Remote Server Administration Tools troubleshooting
FAQ
Is there an RSAT installer for Windows 11?
There is no current standalone RSAT .msu installer for Windows 11. RSAT is installed as Features on Demand through Settings, PowerShell, or the Windows 11 Languages and Optional Features ISO.
Can I install RSAT on Windows 11 Home?
No. Microsoft supports RSAT on Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise. Extracting packages or modifying Windows Home is not a supported workaround.
Can I install RSAT without an internet connection?
Yes. Use a licensed Windows 11 Languages and Optional Features ISO that matches the installed Windows release and architecture, then install the capability with Add-WindowsCapability and the -Source and -LimitAccess parameters.
Why does RSAT installation fail with 0x800F0954?
Windows cannot obtain optional content from its configured update source. This often involves WSUS or other update policies. An administrator can configure the optional-component policy, provide an approved alternate source, or use matching offline media.
Why does RSAT installation fail with 0x800F081F?
The required source files are missing. Check the Windows version, architecture, source path, repository structure, and whether the ISO actually contains the requested capability.
Does installing Active Directory RSAT install all RSAT tools?
No. RSAT is modular. DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, WSUS, Server Manager, and other tools have separate capabilities and must be installed individually.
The Bottom Line
For an internet-connected Windows 11 Pro or Enterprise computer, install RSAT from Settings > System > Optional features or use Add-WindowsCapability. For offline systems, use the matching Windows 11 Languages and Optional Features ISO, preserve its repository structure, and install from LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures with -LimitAccess. Avoid old .msu guides and incomplete CAB-file collections.
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