Press the , type cmd , right-click Command Prompt , and select Run as administrator .
To reinstall Remote Desktop Connection (MSTSC) on Windows 11 (version 23H2 or later), you can now treat it as a standard app that can be uninstalled and reinstalled through official Microsoft channels.
: Type "Remote Desktop Connection" into the search bar.
Reinstalling RDP isn’t as straightforward as a typical app because it’s a built-in Windows feature, not a standalone download. However, you can effectively reset or re-enable it. reinstall remote desktop connection
Try resetting RDP settings:
Click . Click Change settings .
It clears the app cache, resets settings to default, and repairs the app installation without needing to download a new package. This solves 80% of all "reinstall" needs. Press the , type cmd , right-click Command
If you are using Windows Home, you cannot host a remote session, but you can still reinstall the client to connect to other PCs.
The Store version is Microsoft’s forward-looking client and includes modern features like Azure Active Directory and touch support. For most users, this replaces the classic tool.
: Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop and verify that the Remote Desktop toggle switch is flipped to On . Reinstalling RDP isn’t as straightforward as a typical
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
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.
Remember: Always test after each method with mstsc or the Microsoft Store app. And if you’re an IT admin, consider deploying the Store version via Winget ( winget install Microsoft.RemoteDesktop ) to ensure all clients stay up-to-date.
Wait for the progress bar to finish, then . Step 2: Reinstall the Remote Desktop Client
Before completely removing and reinstalling the app, ensure that your client device is actually configured to allow remote connections. Press the to open the Run dialog.