Forum Discussion
RSAT missing DNS Server Tools?
[UPDATE] The final 1803 release of RSAT is now on the public RSAT download page. Look for the WS_1803 package there, thanks!
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Here's the official KB workaround published by the DNS team:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4055558/rsat-missing-dns-server-tool-in-windows-10-version-1709 (thanks Christoff MOrlOck for posting this previously)
The RSAT download page now also has this info under Additional Information:
Issue: DNS Tools missing
Impact: WS_1709 RSAT package users
Resolution: Use the WS2016 RSAT package or apply this workaroundThe DNS team has also fixed the root cause for RS4 and so the workaround will not be required for the upcoming RS4 RSAT package update.
The silly recommendations are still listed under the "Additional Information" section:
RSAT package recommendations:
When to use WS_1803 RSAT Package: When managing Windows Server, version 1803 or Windows Server, version 1709
When to use WS2016 RSAT Package: When managing Windows Server 2016 or previous versions
There are three packages available for download - WS2016, WS_1709, and WS_1803. So the recommendations imply to ignore the WS_1709, and use the newest WS_1803 instead for that. But if you're running Server 2016, go with the WS2016.
What if you're managing mixed environments? Why not make the latest RSAT compatible with all Server versions?
I realize that the WS_1803 probably works for everything. MS just needs to own this concept. The current approach (of matching RSAT packages to server versions) just causes confusion.
DNS management tools are STILL broken in Win10 N 1909.
Microsoft now insists that all RSAT should install using the Add Feature (please read https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=45520&40ddd5bd-f9e7-49a6-3526-f86656931a02=True) on the RSAT download page:
"IMPORTANT: Starting with Windows 10 October 2018 Update, RSAT is included as a set of "Features on Demand" in Windows 10 itself. See "Install Instructions" below for details, and "Additional Information" for recommendations and troubleshooting. RSAT lets IT admins manage Windows Server roles and features from a Windows 10 PC."
The published work-around (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/system-management-components/rsat-client-missing-dns-server-tool) contains downloads for RSAT for 1709 and 1803, which violate the "IMPORTANT" notice for the Add Feature directive. And do not work because the work-around is built for 1709 or 1803, not 1909 and later feature releases of Win10.
The earlier recommendation in this thread to copy 4 files into my Win10 system directories from some other location and then register them is nice to have, but it violates the security of the OS ... I can't believe Microsoft is really allowing this situation to continue with out addressing the root-cause! It is a partial answer because it omits the DNS command-line tool (somewhat nit-picking here, since Win2016 uses PowerShell, but if you are managing old DNS or have scripts and need backward compatibility to the original DNSCMD command line DNS interface, you still need DNSCMD).
So the updated work-around answer to this thread is below:
Copy from C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32:
dnscmd.exe
dnsmgmt.msc
dnsmgr.dll
To C:\Windows\System32
Copy from C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32\en-us:
dnscmd.exe.mui
dnsmgmt.msc
DNSmgr.dll.mui
To C:\Windows\System32\en-us
Elevated command prompt:
regsvr32 c:\windows\system32\dnsmgr.dll
Make a shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\dnsmgmt.msc and copy the shortcut into your Start Menu
%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Windows Administrative Tools\