Installation Guide

Name: RescuePC Toolkit
Brand: RescuePC Repairs
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock

Download, extract, and activate RescuePC Repairs on any Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.

This page is for: Home users installing RescuePC for the first time, and IT technicians setting up a portable USB toolkit.

System Requirements

Before downloading, verify that the target PC meets these requirements. RescuePC will not run on systems that do not meet the minimum specifications.

Minimum Requirements

Operating System	Windows 10 v1607+ or Windows 11
Architecture	x64 (64-bit)
Disk Space	~150 MB (portable, no install)
RAM	4 GB minimum
Internet	Required for activation only

What Is Not Required

• No .NET install — the runtime is bundled inside the app
• No admin account — standard users get a UAC prompt per repair
• No installer — extract the ZIP and run the EXE directly
• No always-on internet — only needed once for license activation
• No third-party dependencies — everything is self-contained

Installation Steps

Download the ZIP File

Download the latest version from the download page or from the link in your license email. The file is a single ZIP archive, typically around 70–80 MB.

The download is served over HTTPS from a CDN. Your browser may show a warning for ZIP files — this is normal for any executable download. The file is code-signed by CN=RescuePC Software with an Authenticode certificate valid through 2031.

Go to Download Page

Extract the ZIP

You must extract the ZIP before running RescuePC. Running the EXE from inside the ZIP viewer will fail because Windows cannot execute PowerShell scripts from a compressed archive.

Right-click the downloaded ZIP file
Click "Extract All..."
Choose a destination — Desktop, Documents, or a USB drive all work
Click "Extract"

SmartScreen Warning

If Windows shows "Windows protected your PC," click "More info" then "Run anyway." This warning appears for all new software, even when code-signed. RescuePC automatically removes the Zone.Identifier security flag from all extracted files on first launch, so you only see this prompt once.

Run as Administrator

RescuePC requires Administrator privileges because system repairs modify protected Windows components — services, registry keys, system files, and boot configuration. Without elevation, repairs will fail silently.

Open the extracted folder
Right-click "RescuePC Repairs.exe"
Click "Run as administrator"
Click "Yes" on the UAC prompt

Why not double-click?Double-clicking works too — RescuePC will request elevation via UAC when it needs to run a repair. However, right-clicking "Run as administrator" upfront avoids repeated UAC prompts during a session.

Activate Your License

On first launch, RescuePC prompts for a license key. This is a one-time activation that binds the license to the machine. After activation, RescuePC works entirely offline.

Copy your license key from your purchase confirmation email
Paste it into the activation dialog (do not type manually — keys are case-sensitive)
Click "Activate"
Wait for the confirmation message (requires internet for this step only)

Activation requires internet

The license is verified once against the RescuePC license server over HTTPS (port 443 to rescuepcrepairs.com). After successful activation, no further internet access is needed.

Activation not working?

Common causes: typo in key (always copy/paste), no internet, or corporate firewall blocking port 443 to rescuepcrepairs.com. See Troubleshooting for detailed solutions.

✓

Ready to Repair

RescuePC is now active. You can run any individual repair from the tabbed interface, or click Fix All to run all safe repairs automatically. A restore point is created before every repair.

For a walkthrough of what each repair does and how to get the best results, see the How It Works guide.

USB Portable Setup (For Technicians)

IT technicians and MSPs typically run RescuePC from a USB drive, moving between client machines without downloading on each one. This is the recommended setup for anyone who repairs more than one PC.

Insert a USB drive — 8 GB or larger (USB 3.0 recommended for speed)
Extract the ZIP directly to the USB drive — create a folder like E:\RescuePC\
Activate once from any PC with internet access — the license binds to your key, not to the machine
Use on any client PC — plug in the USB, right-click the EXE, run as admin

Advantages of USB setup

• No download needed on each client PC
• No files left behind on client machines
• Repair reports saved to USB for easy retrieval
• Works on air-gapped machines (post-activation)

Enterprise licensing

Team licenses (5–10 seats) and Enterprise licenses (50+ seats) support multiple technicians. Each technician can have their own USB drive. See Pricing or the Enterprise Resource Center for volume options.

Known Issues & Platform Notes

Windows S Mode

Windows S Mode blocks all apps not from the Microsoft Store. You must switch out of S Mode first (Settings → Update & Security → Activation → "Go to the Store"). This is free but permanent. See Troubleshooting for step-by-step instructions.

Corporate/University Managed PCs

AppLocker, WDAC, and Group Policy may block RescuePC on managed devices. Contact your IT administrator to whitelist the application. Publisher: O=RESCUEPC SOFTWARE, C=US. See the Deployment Guide for enterprise allowlisting instructions.

ARM-Based Windows Devices

RescuePC currently requires x64 architecture. ARM64 devices (Surface Pro X, Snapdragon-based laptops) are not supported in the current release. ARM64 support is planned for a future version.

Running from a Network Share

RescuePC can run from a network share (e.g., \\server\tools\RescuePC\), but PowerShell execution policy and UNC path restrictions may interfere. For network deployment, extract to a local temp directory first. See the Deployment Guide for silent deployment strategies.

If Installation Fails

Most installation issues fall into three categories. Try each in order:

SmartScreen or antivirus blocks the EXE

Click "More info" → "Run anyway" on SmartScreen. For antivirus false positives, add an exclusion for the RescuePC folder. The EXE is code-signed — you can verify the publisher in file Properties → Digital Signatures.

EXE opens but repairs do not run

Ensure you extracted the ZIP first (not running from inside the archive). Verify you are running as Administrator. If scripts still fail, check whether PowerShell is in Constrained Language Mode (enterprise lockdown).

License activation fails

Verify internet access, copy/paste the key (do not type), and ensure port 443 to rescuepcrepairs.com is not blocked by a firewall. Try on a different network if behind a corporate proxy.

If none of these resolve the issue, see the full Troubleshooting Guide or contact [email protected] with your Windows version, the error message, and a screenshot.

Installation FAQ

Can I install RescuePC on a PC with no internet?

You can extract and run the EXE without internet, but license activation requires a one-time HTTPS connection to rescuepcrepairs.com. Activate on an internet-connected PC first, then transfer the USB drive to the offline machine.

Does RescuePC install anything permanently?

No. RescuePC is fully portable. It runs from the folder it is extracted to and does not write to the Windows registry, create services, or install drivers. Deleting the folder removes RescuePC completely.

Can I move RescuePC to a different folder after activation?

Yes. The license is bound to your key and machine fingerprint, not the folder location. You can move the entire RescuePC folder to any directory, USB drive, or network share without reactivating.

What is the file size of the download?

The ZIP is approximately 70–80 MB. Extracted, RescuePC uses about 150 MB. The .NET runtime is bundled inside the app, so no additional downloads are needed.