# msrdc.exe

Application Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called msrdc, microsoft remote desktop client, avd client, windows app rdp

Windows, Application

Remote Desktop client from the Store / MSRDC stack (Azure Virtual Desktop and the newer Remote Desktop app). It is not mstsc.exe.

## What you need to know

msrdc is the newer Remote Desktop client, not mstsc.exe.

msrdc.exe is MSRDC, the client used by the Store Remote Desktop app, Windows App, and Azure Virtual Desktop. mstsc.exe is inbox Remote Desktop Connection in System32. Ending msrdc does not remove mstsc. rdpclip.exe still lives in the remote session.

- **Safe?**: Yes, from Remote Desktop / Windows App

  **Same as mstsc?**: No. This is the newer client

  **Can I end it?**: That Store/AVD window closes

Feex says

If I launched the Store Remote Desktop or Windows App, I look for msrdc. I do not troubleshoot System32\mstsc for that window.

## What is msrdc.exe?

msrdc is the newer Remote Desktop client, not mstsc.exe. Inbox Remote Desktop Connection is still System32\mstsc.exe. This image is the Store / AVD / Windows App client.

## What does it do?

It connects to AVD, Windows 365, and workspace feeds the old mstsc UI does not host the same way. It does not accept inbound RDP as TermService.

## Why is it running?

You opened Windows App, Remote Desktop from Store, or an AVD feed. A .rdp that still says Remote Desktop Connection is often mstsc instead.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

A Microsoft-signed msrdc under Program Files\Remote Desktop or WindowsApps is the newer client. An msrdc.exe in Temp is not. This is still not mstsc.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Program Files\Remote Desktop\msrdc.exe`

- Also seen under WindowsApps for the Store package
- Inbox sibling: System32\mstsc.exe
- Publisher: Microsoft Corporation

## Can I end it?

Closes that newer client

Ending msrdc.exe closes Windows App / Remote Desktop connections that used MSRDC. System32\mstsc.exe can stay. TermService on a host is unchanged.

## Can I remove it?

Uninstall the app, not mstsc

Uninstall Remote Desktop or Windows App from Apps. Do not delete System32\mstsc.exe to "remove MSRDC." Do not delete System32.

## Should it start with Windows?

The Store app or a workspace shortcut starts it. Inbox mstsc has its own shortcuts.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Follows remote display

  **Memory**: Moderate for the newer client UI

  **Disk**: Low

  **Network**: RDP / AVD traffic

## File information

| Executable name        | msrdc.exe                                 |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Program Files\Remote Desktop\msrdc.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation                     |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows               |

## Common problems

### Helpdesk said "open mstsc" and the user opened Windows App

Different exe. Subscribe to a workspace here. A classic computer-name box is mstsc.

### Clipboard broken, they repair mstsc

rdpclip is still the session redirector. Repairing inbox Remote Desktop Connection does not replace msrdc.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Open file location on the connected client

Program Files\Remote Desktop or WindowsApps is this article. System32\mstsc.exe is Remote Desktop Connection.

### Update Windows App / Remote Desktop from Store

AVD feeds need this client current. Do not replace mstsc.exe from a forum zip to fix MSRDC.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | msrdc.exe                            |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Role       | MSRDC / Azure Virtual Desktop client |

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[mstsc.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/mstsc.exe)[rdpclip.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/rdpclip.exe)[What is a Windows process: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/what-is-a-windows-process)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Microsoft Learn: compare Remote Desktop clients ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-app-compare)· MSRDC / Store client is not mstsc
- [Microsoft Learn: connect to Azure Virtual Desktop ](https://learn.microsoft.com/azure/virtual-desktop/users/connect-windows)· Windows App and Remote Desktop use MSRDC
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Type**: Application Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: msrdc.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Program Files\Remote Desktop\msrdc.exe

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

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Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/process/msrdc.exe/)

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