msrdc.exe

Application ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

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

WindowsApplication

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

msrdc.exe 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

msrdc.exe technical details
Image name	msrdc.exe
Role	MSRDC / Azure Virtual Desktop client

Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.

Microsoft Learn: compare Remote Desktop clients · MSRDC / Store client is not mstsc
Microsoft Learn: connect to Azure Virtual Desktop · Windows App and Remote Desktop use MSRDC
Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

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