Reinstall Remote Desktop Connection

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

You don’t "reinstall" it like a normal app. Instead, you remove and re-add the feature.

Method 1: Via Windows Settings

If listed, click it → Uninstall.

Then click Add a feature (or + Add feature), search for Remote Desktop Connection, check it, and install.

Method 2: Via Command Prompt (Admin) – Quick reset

DISM /Online /Disable-Feature /FeatureName:Remote-Desktop-Services
DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /FeatureName:Remote-Desktop-Services

Then restart your PC.

Method 3: Via Control Panel (legacy)

If the Reset method fails, you need to remove and re-add the feature using Windows' legacy control panel. This works for the classic mstsc.exe tool.

Best for: The classic mstsc.exe program is missing or corrupted.

The classic Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) is a legacy Windows feature. If this specific component is broken, you can trick Windows into "reinstalling" it by disabling the feature, restarting, and re-enabling it. reinstall remote desktop connection

If you rely on Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) to manage a server, access your work PC from home, or help a family member with their computer, you know how frustrating it is when the tool stops working. Maybe the app won’t open, crashes on launch, or throws cryptic error messages.

When this happens, your first instinct might be to "reinstall" it. But here’s the catch: On most versions of Windows, you cannot uninstall Remote Desktop Connection like a standard app.

RDC is a built-in Windows Feature (part of the operating system). So, "reinstalling" it is a different process than downloading a fresh copy from the web. This guide will walk you through the correct steps to effectively remove and reinstall the Remote Desktop client.

Note: This guide covers the classic Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC.exe) for Windows 10 and Windows 11. The new "Windows App" (formerly Remote Desktop Client) from the Microsoft Store has different steps, which we’ll touch on at the end. Pro Tip: After toggling, always check services

regsvr32 /u mstsc.exe

Some users prefer the classic 2010-era interface (mstsc.exe) over the modern UWP app. If your classic client is corrupt, you can "reinstall" it by simply replacing the executable from a working Windows installation.

Steps to restore mstsc.exe:

Why this works: The classic RDC client is a standalone binary. It does not require complex registry entries. Replacing the file is effectively a reinstall. If listed, click it → Uninstall