# mstsc.exe

Windows Process: Microsoft Corporation

Also called mstsc, remote desktop connection, rdp client

Windows, System Component

Remote Desktop Connection client. You run it to reach a host. It is not Session/TermService on the machine that accepts RDP.

## What you need to know

mstsc is the RDP client, not the host Session/TermService.

mstsc.exe is Remote Desktop Connection, the inbox client. TermService (Remote Desktop Services) on the other PC accepts the session. rdpclip.exe is clipboard inside a session. msrdc.exe is the newer Store / AVD client. Closing mstsc does not disable incoming RDP on this PC.

- **Safe?**: Yes, in System32

  **Is it the RDP host?**: No. This is the client

  **Can I end it?**: That Remote Desktop window closes

Feex says

If I opened Remote Desktop Connection, I expect mstsc. I do not stop TermService on my laptop to close that window, and I do not hunt msrdc unless I launched the Store client.

## What is mstsc.exe?

mstsc is the RDP client, not the host Session/TermService. You run Remote Desktop Connection here. The PC you connect to runs Remote Desktop Services. msrdc.exe is a different client binary.

## What does it do?

It opens an RDP window to a host, gateway, or .rdp file. It does not accept inbound sessions and it does not redirect clipboard by itself (rdpclip does that in the session).

## Why is it running?

You launched Remote Desktop Connection, a .rdp file, or a script called mstsc. Incoming RDP being enabled is a host setting, not this process.

## Is it safe?

Usually safe

System32 mstsc.exe is the Microsoft client. An mstsc.exe in Downloads is not. Seeing this file is not proof that TermService is running on this PC.

A legitimate copy normally runs from:

`C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe`

- Inbox Remote Desktop Connection
- Host service is TermService, not this file
- Newer client: msrdc.exe

## Can I end it?

Closes that RDP window

Ending mstsc.exe disconnects that client session. The remote host can keep the session disconnected. Stopping TermService on this PC is a different, server-side change.

## Can I remove it?

No

Do not delete mstsc.exe. You can unpin the shortcut. Uninstalling the Store Remote Desktop app removes msrdc, not this inbox client.

## Should it start with Windows?

A .rdp shortcut can start it. Incoming RDP is Remote Desktop settings, not Startup Apps for mstsc.

## Normal resource behavior

These are contextual labels, not universal averages.

- **CPU**: Follows remote display and input

  **Memory**: Moderate for the client window

  **Disk**: Low unless you copy large files

  **Network**: The RDP connection

## File information

| Executable name        | mstsc.exe                     |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------- |
| Common legitimate path | C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe |
| Publisher              | Microsoft Corporation         |
| Signature expectation  | Signed by Microsoft Windows   |

## Common problems

### People disable Remote Desktop in Settings to close a client window

That flips the host. This process is only the client you opened. End the window, leave TermService alone unless you meant inbound RDP.

### Clipboard fails and they reinstall mstsc

rdpclip.exe inside the session owns clipboard redirect. Repair that on the host session, not by replacing System32\mstsc.exe.

## Troubleshooting

Diagnose before you change anything destructive.

### Confirm you launched Remote Desktop Connection, not Windows App / MSRDC

Open file location. System32\mstsc.exe is this article. Program Files\Remote Desktop\msrdc.exe is the newer client.

### For inbound RDP, check Settings > Remote Desktop, not this process

TermService is the host. Ending mstsc on a laptop does not publish this PC.

## Technical details

Technical details

| Image name | mstsc.exe                        |
| ---------- | -------------------------------- |
| Role       | Remote Desktop Connection client |

## Related

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

[rdpclip.exe: Windows Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/rdpclip.exe)[msrdc.exe: Application Process](https://feex.it/wiki/process/msrdc.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: mstsc ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/mstsc)· Remote Desktop Connection client
- [Microsoft Learn: Remote Desktop clients ](https://learn.microsoft.com/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/clients/remote-desktop-clients)· mstsc is the inbox client, not the host service
- [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**: Windows Process

  **Publisher**: Microsoft Corporation

  **Executable**: mstsc.exe

  **Typical path**: C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.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/mstsc.exe/)

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