Download from the Microsoft Update Catalog only (KB2574819 + KB2592687). Avoid third-party sites. And if possible, plan a migration away from the underlying legacy OS to ensure long-term security and compatibility.

RDC 7.1 is lightweight compared to the modern "Windows App" or Remote Desktop Client for Windows 10. Users running extremely old hardware (such as thin clients repurposed from a decade ago) often prefer RDC 7.1 because it consumes fewer system resources while providing a functional RDP experience.

The Evolution of Remote Access: Remote Desktop Connection 7.1 Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) 7.1 Client

Assuming a clean copy of KB2592687 (for Windows XP SP3 or Vista SP2):

You can obtain the package directly from Microsoft Support by selecting the version matching your system architecture (x86 or x64).