Reinstall Remote Desktop Connection

Reopen PowerShell as an Administrator and execute the following command to reinstall the clean package: powershell

Finally, while Microsoft is gradually shifting focus toward the as its unified remote access client, the classic Remote Desktop Connection client remains a critical tool for system administrators and Windows users worldwide. Understanding how to reinstall and repair it is an essential skill for maintaining efficient remote workflows. If Microsoft's RDP clients don't meet your needs, excellent open-source alternatives like RustDesk and powerful commercial options like AnyDesk or TeamViewer are always available.

takeown /f C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe icacls C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe /grant Administrators:F reinstall remote desktop connection

If the standard graphical user interface (GUI) freezes or fails to remove the component, you can use Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) via PowerShell to force a clean reinstallation.

Restart your system after the verification phase reaches 100%. Alternative: Transition to the Modern Remote Desktop Apps Reopen PowerShell as an Administrator and execute the

Alternatively, if you have a Windows installation ISO mounted, you can use the -Source parameter to specify the path to the sources\install.wim file.

Open the app again and return to Apps > Optional features . takeown /f C:\Windows\System32\mstsc

Microsoft is transitioning to a new, modern "Windows App" for remote connections (available via the Microsoft Store). If you are using that app, the process is much simpler:

# Unregister the Remote Desktop ActiveX control regsvr32 /u mstscax.dll

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.

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.