Download and Install Microsoft Remote Desktop

What the Remote Desktop Installer does

This Automox Worklet™ automates the download and installation of Microsoft Remote Desktop on macOS endpoints. The Worklet retrieves the official installer package directly from Microsoft's distribution network, providing Mac users with the ability to connect to Windows systems using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

The installation process downloads the PKG file to a temporary location, runs the macOS installer utility to deploy the application, and cleans up the downloaded package. The Worklet checks for the presence of Microsoft Remote Desktop.app before initiating a download to avoid reinstalling on endpoints that already have the application.

Why deploy Remote Desktop through Automox

Microsoft Remote Desktop is the primary tool for Mac users who need to access Windows resources. Whether connecting to Windows Server terminal services, Azure Virtual Desktop, or remote workstations, this application provides a native macOS experience for RDP connections.

Deploying Remote Desktop through Automox provides a standardized remote access solution across your Mac fleet. You can combine this Worklet with scheduled policies to install the application on new endpoints automatically or reinstall it when needed.

By pulling directly from Microsoft's servers, you deploy the current version without maintaining local installer caches. This approach keeps your remote access tools current with the latest security updates and features.

How Remote Desktop installation works

1. Evaluation phase: The Worklet immediately triggers remediation by exiting with code 1. This design allows the Worklet to reinstall Remote Desktop if removed, or you can run it once for initial deployment.

2. Remediation phase: The script checks if /Applications/Microsoft Remote Desktop.app exists. If the application is not present, it downloads the installer PKG from go.microsoft.com (linkid=868963), runs the macOS installer command targeting the root volume, and removes the temporary PKG file. If Remote Desktop already exists, the script skips installation.

Remote Desktop installation requirements

• macOS Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, or later

• Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2) processor

• Network access to go.microsoft.com

• Sufficient disk space for application installation

Expected state after Remote Desktop installation

After successful remediation, Microsoft Remote Desktop appears in the /Applications folder and is ready for users to configure their RDP connections. Users can create connection profiles for Windows servers, save credentials securely in the macOS Keychain, and access remote desktops with full display and audio support. You can verify this change through the Automox Activity Log or by checking the endpoint configuration directly.

You can verify the installation by checking for /Applications/Microsoft Remote Desktop.app or by running the Worklet in evaluation-only mode. The Worklet logs indicate whether the application was freshly installed or already present on the endpoint.

How to validate download and install microsoft remote desktop changes

1. Run this Worklet on a pilot macOS endpoint and review evaluation output for download and install microsoft remote desktop.

2. Confirm Automox activity logs show successful completion and exit code 0.

3. Verify endpoint state using checks aligned to evaluation script logic, such as exit.

4. Validate remediation effects from script operations such as curl, installer, rm, then rerun evaluation for compliance.

For technical validation, compare endpoint state to the Worklet evaluation logic and remediation flow for download and install microsoft remote desktop. This supports repeatable software lifecycle workflows, faster change control review, and auditable compliance evidence.

Useful script references for this Worklet include evaluation operations such as exit and remediation operations such as curl, installer, rm. Use these indicators to verify that endpoint changes match intended policy outcomes.