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Oliver Stähr's avatar
Oliver Stähr
Copper Contributor
Oct 04, 2017
Solved

RSAT missing DNS Server Tools?

Hi, on a fresh Win 10 insider client (16278 updated to 16299) I installed Windows_InsiderPreview_RSAT_x64_16279 but it seems to be missing DNS Server Tools, the MMC snap-in. All other tools like AD,...
management
PepperdotNet's avatar
PepperdotNet
Brass Contributor
Oct 04, 2017
I just solved this issue on the Windows 10 that I upgraded last night to 16299.15. If you have a Windows Server 2016 (not insider) machine on your network, or another Windows 10 with the WS2016 (not insider) RSAT tools installed, you need to copy four files from it to your Windows 10 after installing RSAT 16279. system32: dnsmgmt.msc and dnsmgr.dll system32\en-us: dnsmgmt.msc and DNSmgr.dll.mui (or slightly fewer keystrokes if you are using the command prompt to do it, copy dnsmg*.* in both system32 and system32\en-us folders) Then run this command as admin: regsvr32 c:\windows\system32\dnsmgr.dll
Samuel Li's avatar
Samuel Li
Former Employee
Nov 01, 2017

The DNS team is validating an official solution and working on putting together a KB article with the details. Thanks for your patience!

  • Samuel Li's avatar
    Samuel Li
    Former Employee
    Jan 18, 2018

    [UPDATE] The final 1803 release of RSAT is now on the public RSAT download page. Look for the WS_1803 package there, thanks!

     

    -----

     

    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 workaround

     

    The 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.

     

     

    • gperkins's avatar
      gperkins
      Copper Contributor
      Oct 13, 2020
      Please see my last post to this thread for the updated, complete work-around answer. Kindly mark my update as the answer to help all others who find their way here by searching.
      • gperkins's avatar
        gperkins
        Copper Contributor
        Oct 14, 2020

        Correction: As of Win10 1909 N feature release, the DNS management tool is available in the Add Features settings. Please ignore the previous rant about RSAT and DNS not being available.

         

        I had previously installed all of the RSAT tools using the Add Feature portion of Settings, but was missing DNS. I found I also was missing a few others. So looked into further and found the problem is that the installer is balky. So if you select multiple, they seem to get queued up. Be careful to not interrupt the installer! Or, in my case, you do not have a complete winsxs library of all feature cab files. I am still working on getting a complete winsxs folder with all of the required cab files for RSAT.

         

        For the record, here are screenshots.

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

         

    • Samuel Li's avatar
      Samuel Li
      Former Employee
      May 08, 2018

      The final 1803 release of RSAT is now on the public RSAT download page. Look for the WS_1803 package there, thanks!

      • Jim Harle's avatar
        Jim Harle
        Brass Contributor
        May 09, 2018

        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.

    • David Harding's avatar
      David Harding
      Copper Contributor
      Apr 02, 2018

      I have downloaded the RS3 version of the RSAT 2016.  I now have Windows 10 Enterprise v1803 build 17133.1.  I am still using the workaround with success.  Yes, I am still losing my RSAT icons for DNS and ADUC from my Start menu after the latest Insider's build downloads and installs.  

      Waiting for RS4 of the RSAT to test and see if I can install without the workaround.  I can imagine that I would have to install RSAT anytime I would install a new build.  The workaround works well for me as that is the first thing I do after a new build is to run the bat file to install my RSAT tools.

      https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4055558/rsat-missing-dns-server-tool-in-windows-10-version-1709

  • Manny Lopez's avatar
    Manny Lopez
    Copper Contributor
    Nov 06, 2017

    Any update on this?

    • rjt87's avatar
      rjt87
      Copper Contributor
      Nov 06, 2017

      I do not have a 2016 server or a windows.old with relevant dns msc files.  Some MSC Admin tools are only used by a very small fraction, but DNS? 

      Please provide an update soon.

      • Jim Harle's avatar
        Jim Harle
        Brass Contributor
        Nov 06, 2017

        Attached are the files I've been using for the workaround. Agreed that this issue needs to be fixed - it is a bit ridiculous. Literally - Windows haters ridicule Microsoft over stupid little things like this, and preventable mistakes just reinforce the stereotype.

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