Install the Remote Desktop client for Windows on a per-user basis with Configuration Manager

Here's how to install the client on a per-user basis using a PowerShell script with Configuration Manager as a Script Installer.

1. Create a new folder in your content location share for Configuration Manager and add the Remote Desktop client .msi file you downloaded.

2. Within that folder, create a PowerShell script file called Install.ps1 and add the following content, replacing <RemoteDesktop> with the filename of the .msi file you downloaded:

   msiexec /i <RemoteDesktop>.msi /qn ALLUSERS=2 MSIINSTALLPERUSER=1
   

3. In the same folder, create a PowerShell script file called Uninstall.ps1 and add the following content:

   $productCode = (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'Remote Desktop' -and $_.Vendor -eq 'Microsoft Corporation'}).IdentifyingNumber
   
   msiexec /x $productCode /qn
   

4. In the same folder, create a PowerShell script file called Detection.ps1 and add the following content:

   If (([string](Get-ChildItem Registry::HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall | Where-Object {$_.GetValue('DisplayName') -eq 'Remote Desktop'})) -and (Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object {$_.Name -eq 'Remote Desktop' -and $_.Vendor -eq 'Microsoft Corporation'})) {
       Write-Host "Microsoft Remote Desktop client is installed"
       exit 0
   } else {
       Write-Host "Microsoft Remote Desktop client isn't installed"
       exit 1
   }
   

5. Follow the steps in Create applications in Configuration Manager, selecting to manually specify application information to add the Remote Desktop client. Here's some of the information you need to specify during the process. You can leave the rest of the settings as default or update them as needed.

   Parameter	Value/Description
   Deployment type	Select Script Installer.
   Content location	Enter the UNC path to the new folder you created.
   Installation program	powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File .\Install.ps1
   Uninstall program	powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -WindowStyle Hidden -File .\Uninstall.ps1
   Detection method	Select Use a custom script to detect the presence of this deployment type.
   Detection script editor	Select PowerShell.
   Detection script file	Select the file Detection.ps1 you created earlier.
   Installation behavior	Select Install for user.

6. Follow the steps in Deploy applications with Configuration Manager to deploy the Remote Desktop client to your users.