How to fix Error 1645 on Windows 11

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Troubleshooting Guide: Windows Installer Error 1645 on Remote Desktop Connection

Why This Error Happens

Error 1645 occurs because Windows Installer, by default, blocks application installations initiated through a Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) session for security and policy reasons. This restriction is typically enforced by a Group Policy setting called “Enable user to browse for source while elevated” or a related Windows Installer policy that disables installs over remote sessions. In enterprise or domain-joined environments, this policy is often configured intentionally by system administrators, but it can also be a default local security setting on standalone Windows 11 machines.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

Step 1: Open the Local Group Policy Editor

  • Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
  • If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click “Yes” to proceed.
  • Note: gpedit.msc is not available on Windows 11 Home edition; use the Registry Editor method in Step 3 instead.

Step 2: Locate and Modify the Windows Installer Policy

  • Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Installer.
  • Find the policy named “Enable Windows Installer RDS Compatibility” or “Disable Windows Installer”.
  • Double-click the policy, set it to “Enabled” (if it’s an RDS compatibility setting) or “Not Configured” (if it’s a disable rule).
  • Click “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.

Step 3: Edit the Registry (For Home Edition or Manual Fix)

  • Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  • Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer.
  • Look for a DWORD value named EnableAdminTSRemote or DisableMSI.
  • Set the value data to 1 to enable remote installation compatibility, or delete the DisableMSI key entirely if present.
  • Restart the machine for the registry changes to take effect.

Step 4: Restart the Windows Installer Service

  • Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
  • Locate “Windows Installer” in the list, right-click it, and select “Restart”.
  • Ensure the Startup Type is set to “Manual” (this is the default and recommended setting).

Alternative or Verification Steps

  • Verify the fix: Reconnect via Remote Desktop Connection and attempt to install the same .msi package again; the installation should now proceed without triggering Error 1645.
  • Alternative solution: If the Group Policy or registry edit doesn’t resolve the issue, try running the installer directly via Command Prompt using msiexec /i "path\to\installer.msi" with elevated (Administrator) privileges, as this sometimes bypasses the RDP restriction trigger.