Reinstall Remote Desktop Connection Review

⭐ 3.5/5 – It’s a useful troubleshooting step, but “reinstall” is a misnomer. Works well for most RDP issues, though some problems (like firewall or network misconfigurations) require separate fixes. Best for intermediate users comfortable with Windows settings or PowerShell.

To reinstall Remote Desktop Connection (RDC), follow these steps based on whether you want to use the standard Windows settings or the command line. Method 1: Using Windows Settings (Windows 11 23H2 or later)

Starting with Windows 11 version 23H2, the Remote Desktop Connection app can be uninstalled and reinstalled like a standard application. Uninstall the App: Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for Remote Desktop Connection. Click the three dots (...) and select Uninstall. Reinstall the App:

Visit the official Microsoft Download page to get the installer.

Choose the version that matches your system architecture (usually Windows 64-bit). Run the downloaded .exe file to complete the setup. Method 2: Using Command Prompt (Elevated)

If you prefer a more technical approach or the app isn't showing in Settings, use these commands: Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Uninstall: mstsc.exe /uninstall Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard

Note: Restart your PC after running this command to finish the process. Reinstall:

Download the installer (e.g., mstsc-x64-setup.exe) to a known folder. In the Command Prompt, navigate to that folder and run: mstsc-x64-setup.exe Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Troubleshooting Tips

If you are reinstalling because the connection isn't working, try these fixes first:

Check Firewall: Ensure "Remote Desktop" is allowed through the Windows Defender Firewall.

Verify Service: Ensure the Remote Desktop Services service is running in services.msc.

Repair System Files: If the app is "hosed," run sfc /scannow in an elevated Command Prompt to fix corrupt system components. reinstall remote desktop connection

To reinstall Remote Desktop Connection ) on Windows 11 (version 23H2 or later) or Windows 10, follow these steps to remove and then fresh-install the application. 1. Uninstall the Current Version

Before reinstalling, you must ensure the previous version is completely removed: Via Settings Installed apps

. Search for "Remote Desktop Connection," click the three dots, and select Via Command Prompt Command Prompt as an Administrator and run: mstsc.exe /uninstall

Note: If you receive error code 0x800704c7, ensure you are running the prompt with elevated privileges

: Reboot your computer to ensure all system files are cleared. www.minipcunion.com 2. Download and Reinstall

Once uninstalled, you can download the official installer directly from Microsoft: Download Installer

: Choose the version that matches your system architecture from the official Microsoft download page 64-bit (x64) : Most common for modern PCs. 32-bit (x86) : For older 32-bit systems. : For devices with ARM processors (like Surface Pro X). Run Installation : Open the downloaded

file and follow the on-screen instructions. The installer typically runs without needing much user interaction. Microsoft Learn 3. Verify the Installation After the process completes, you can verify it worked: Start menu , type "Remote Desktop Connection," and launch it. Alternatively, press Microsoft Learn Troubleshooting Common Issues If you encounter errors during or after reinstallation:

The official "paper" or guide for reinstalling the Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) app in Windows involves downloading the specific installer for your system architecture and running it manually. How to Reinstall Remote Desktop Connection

According to Microsoft Learn , follow these steps to fresh-install the client:

Download the Installer: Obtain the version that matches your PC (Windows 64-bit, 32-bit, or ARM64) from the Microsoft Remote Desktop page. Run the Setup: ⭐ 3

GUI Method: Double-click the downloaded setup.exe file. It will install automatically without requiring user interaction.

Command Prompt: Open CMD as an administrator and run setup.exe from the directory where it was saved.

Launch: Once complete, search for "Remote Desktop Connection" in the Start menu or type mstsc.exe in the Run dialog ( Alternative Reinstallation (Windows Features)

If you are missing the underlying services or management tools, you can use the Optional Features menu as described in this instructional guide : Go to Settings > Apps > Optional Features. Select Add a feature.

Search for Remote Desktop Services Tools, check it, and click Install. Restart your computer for changes to take effect. Troubleshooting Before Reinstalling

If you are reinstalling because the connection is failing, ensure these basics are covered first as suggested by TeamViewer :

Enable Connections: Check System > Remote Desktop and toggle "Enable Remote Desktop" to On.

Firewall Settings: Ensure the Windows Firewall is allowing Remote Desktop through (TCP/UDP port 3389).

Credentials: Verify you have the correct user permissions under the "Remote" tab in System Properties (sysdm.cpl).

Reinstalling Remote Desktop is a powerful fix when targeted and planned. The key is preserving access during the operation, backing up configurations, and validating security settings (certificates, licensing, NLA) afterward so you restore a stable, secure remote access environment rather than just a working one.

If you want, tell me whether you mean the client on Windows/macOS/Linux or the server (Windows Server or Linux xrdp), and I’ll provide a step-by-step, platform-specific reinstall procedure. Since you can’t delete RDC, the closest equivalent

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. 1. Uninstall the App

Before reinstalling, ensure the existing version is completely removed:

Via Settings: Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for Remote Desktop Connection, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall.

Via Command Prompt: Open Command Prompt as an Administrator and run:mstsc.exe /uninstallNote: Restart your computer after this step to finalize the removal. 2. Download and Reinstall

Download the installer that matches your system architecture from official Microsoft Learn documentation: 64-bit (Most Common): For standard modern PCs. 32-bit: For older hardware. ARM64: For devices like Surface Pro X. Installation Steps: Double-click the downloaded file to run the installer. The setup usually completes without user interaction.

Once finished, search for Remote Desktop Connection in the Start menu to launch it. 3. Troubleshooting (If the App won't open)

If you are reinstalling because the service was "broken," check these system-level components:

Since you can’t delete RDC, the closest equivalent is to remove the Windows feature that hosts it and add it back. This forces Windows to re-copy the system files.

Step-by-step for Windows 10/11:

What this does: Windows removes the registry keys and system files related to RDC, then rebuilds them from the local image store (C:\Windows\WinSxS). This is the official "reinstall remote desktop connection" process.