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mstsc.exe

Windows ProcessMicrosoft Corporation

Also called mstsc, remote desktop connection, rdp client

WindowsSystem 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

mstsc.exe 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
mstsc.exe technical details
Image name mstsc.exe
Role Remote Desktop Connection client

Sources and verification

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

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