Reinstall Remote — Desktop Connection

To reinstall the Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) app on Windows, you must first uninstall the existing version through Settings and then download the official installer from 1. Uninstall the Current App (Win + I) and go to Installed apps Search for "Remote Desktop Connection" Click the three dots (menu) next to it and select

Alternatively, you can run this command in an elevated Command Prompt: mstsc /uninstall /noPromptBeforeRestart Restart your computer to ensure all files are cleared. Microsoft Learn 2. Download and Reinstall You can download the appropriate installer directly from Microsoft Learn based on your system architecture: Microsoft Learn 64-bit (x64): Most common for modern PCs. 32-bit (x86): For older systems. For Surface Pro X or similar ARM-based devices. Installation Steps: Double-click the downloaded

The installer typically runs silently without user interaction. Once finished, search for "Remote Desktop Connection" in the Start menu to launch it. Microsoft Learn 3. Troubleshooting Missing Files

If you cannot uninstall or the app is still missing, your system files may be corrupted. Use these repair commands in an Administrator Command Prompt sfc /scannow : Scans and repairs corrupted system files. dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth : Restores the Windows image from official sources. Microsoft Learn Are you running into a specific error code like "unable to locate mstsc.exe" while trying to connect?

Uninstall and Reinstall the Remote Desktop Connection App in Windows

Because Remote Desktop Connection is a built-in Windows component, you cannot "uninstall" it in the traditional sense (like a third-party app). Instead, you must either reset the application, repair system files, or remove and restore the Windows feature.

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How to reinstall the Host (Allow incoming connections):

1. Open Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
2. Toggle "Remote Desktop" Off. Restart your PC.
3. Toggle it On again. This re-creates the necessary firewall rules.
4. If that fails, open optionalfeatures again.
5. Uncheck Remote Desktop Services (or "Remote Desktop Session Host").
6. Reboot. Check it again. Reboot.

Pro Tip: After toggling, always check services.msc for "Remote Desktop Services (TermService)". Ensure it is running and set to Automatic.

Summary

You do not need to download an external installer to fix a broken Remote Desktop Connection. In most cases, Method 1 (Reset via App Settings) or Method 2 (Clearing Registry Cache) resolves the issue immediately.

If you continue to experience connection issues after performing these steps, the problem is likely not the client, but rather network settings (Firewall, VPN) or the configuration of the remote host computer you are trying to reach.

Reinstalling Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is a common fix when the built-in Windows tool (mstsc.exe) becomes corrupted or missing. Modern versions of Windows 11 (23H2 and later) now allow you to treat this legacy tool as a removable app, making it easier to refresh Microsoft Learn 1. The Quick Refresh (Standard Reinstall) reinstall remote desktop connection

If the app is buggy or won't launch, you can remove and reinstall it via the Windows Settings menu. Microsoft Learn Installed apps Search for Remote Desktop Connection Click the three dots (...) and select your computer to ensure all system hooks are cleared. Download the official installer directly from Microsoft Learn Choose the version matching your system (most likely Windows 64-bit

Run the downloaded file; the installer typically completes without requiring user interaction. Microsoft Learn 2. Deep Repair via Command Line If the GUI method fails or the

file is still missing, use system repair tools to restore the original Windows files. Microsoft Learn Command Prompt as an administrator and run: sfc /scannow

This scans for and replaces corrupted system files that RDC relies on. DISM Repair : If SFC doesn't fix it, run: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

This downloads healthy copies of Windows system files to fix deep-seated RDC issues. Microsoft Learn 3. The "Next Gen" Alternative

Reinstalling Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) is a common troubleshooting step for resolving connection errors, missing executables, or corrupt system files. In modern versions of Windows, specifically Windows 11 version 23H2 and later, Microsoft has streamlined this process by allowing the application to be uninstalled and reinstalled like a standard app. 1. Prerequisites for Reinstallation

Before beginning, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

Operating System: Windows 11 version 23H2 or later (required for the official uninstall/reinstall workflow).

Permissions: You must use an account with Administrator privileges. To reinstall the Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) app

Architecture: Identify if your system is 64-bit (x64), 32-bit (x86), or ARM64 to download the correct installer. 2. Uninstalling the Current Version

If the application is currently installed but failing, you should remove it first:

Using Settings (GUI): Navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for "Remote Desktop Connection," click the three dots, and select Uninstall.

Using Command Prompt: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and run mstsc.exe /uninstall.

Restart: A system restart is often required to complete the removal. 3. Reinstalling Remote Desktop Connection

Once uninstalled, you can reinstall the app through official Microsoft channels:

Download the Installer: Visit Microsoft Learn to find the official download links for your specific architecture (x64, x86, or ARM64).

Standard Installation: Open the downloaded file and run the installer. The process typically completes without requiring further user interaction.

Command Line Installation: If you prefer the terminal, navigate to the folder containing the installer in an elevated Command Prompt and run setup.exe. 4. Alternative Fixes if Reinstallation Fails How to reinstall the Host (Allow incoming connections):

If a standard reinstallation doesn't fix your "remote desktop not found" issue, try these system repair tools:

System File Checker (SFC): Run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to fix corrupt system files that might be blocking the app.

DISM Command: Use dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth to repair the underlying Windows system image.

Enable RDP Settings: Ensure the service is actually active by going to Settings > System > Remote Desktop and toggling "Enable Remote Desktop" to On. 5. Transitioning to the Windows App

Microsoft is increasingly encouraging users to transition from the legacy "Remote Desktop Connection" (MSTSC) to the modern Windows App (formerly the Microsoft Remote Desktop app). The Windows App offers more features, such as improved support for Azure Virtual Desktops and the ability to save multiple sessions more easily. You can download this version directly from the Microsoft Store.

Here’s a concise review of the process for reinstalling Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) on Windows:

Reinstalling Remote Desktop Services (Windows Server) — server-side

Goal: Restore stable RDS functionality (RDP listener, licensing, session host, gateway, web access) while preserving user data and licenses.

High-level approach:

• Prefer repairing roles before full uninstall/reinstall.
• If reinstalling, do it role-by-role (Remote Desktop Session Host, Remote Desktop Licensing, Gateway, Web Access) rather than wholesale removal when possible.

Steps:

1. Backup system state and registry; export RDS configuration where feasible.
2. Verify licensing:
   • Confirm the licensing server and whether Per User/Per Device CALs are required.
   • Note License server ID and backup license database if using a licensing server.
3. Attempt repair:
   • Restart Remote Desktop Services and dependent services (Remote Desktop Configuration, Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector).
   • Use sfc /scannow and DISM to repair system files: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth then sfc /scannow.
   • Reinstall/repair RDS roles via Server Manager (remove and re-add specific roles if repair doesn’t help).
4. Remove problematic role (if repair fails):
   • In Server Manager → Remove Roles and Features, deselect Remote Desktop Services roles you intend to reinstall.
   • Reboot if prompted.
5. Reinstall roles:
   • Use Server Manager → Add Roles and Features to re-add Session Host / Licensing / Gateway as required.
   • Apply latest Windows updates and hotfixes related to RDP/RDS.
6. Reconfigure:
   • Reconnect the licensing server and reapply SSL/TLS certificates to the RDP listener and Gateway.
   • Reapply Group Policy settings affecting RDP (Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Remote Desktop Services).
   • Recreate or reattach to the Connection Broker (for distributed deployments).
7. Test with non-critical user accounts, then scale to production.

Method 3: The "Hard Reinstall" (Toggle Windows Features)

If the core files of the Remote Desktop client are missing or corrupted, you must use the Windows Features tool. This method effectively "uninstalls" the feature from the OS and reinstalls fresh system files.

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run box.
2. Type optionalfeatures and hit Enter.
3. In the "Windows Features" window, scroll down and find Remote Desktop Services.
4. Uncheck the box next to it.
5. Click OK and allow Windows to apply the changes.
6. Restart your computer.
7. After the reboot, repeat steps 1-3, but this time check the box again to reinstall it.
8. Restart your computer one last time.

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