Reinstall Remote Desktop Connection Info

Best for: Corporate environments or if the Microsoft Store is disabled.

While Microsoft pushes users toward the Store app, you can still

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. reinstall remote desktop connection

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 Best for: Corporate environments or if the Microsoft

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

If a standard reinstallation doesn't fix your "remote desktop not found" issue, try these system repair tools: # Unregister the Remote Desktop ActiveX control regsvr32

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.

If you cannot reboot or need a faster fix, use PowerShell to deregister and re-register the Remote Desktop DLLs. This is often enough to fix corrupted ActiveX controls or registry hooks.

# Unregister the Remote Desktop ActiveX control
regsvr32 /u mstscax.dll
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.
What this does: 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.