Where Is Remote Desktop Connection Manager In Windows 10?

Remote Desktop Connection Manager isn’t built into Windows 10; grab it from Sysinternals, while the built-in client lives at System32\mstsc.exe.

If you’re hunting for “Remote Desktop Connection Manager” on a fresh Windows 10 install, you won’t see it in the Start menu. That tool (often called RDCMan) is a separate download from Microsoft’s Sysinternals collection. Windows 10 ships with a different client called Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe). The two are related to the same protocol, but they aren’t the same app. This guide shows exactly where each one sits, how to open them fast, and what to do if the shortcut is missing.

What You’re Actually Looking For

There are two common tools people mix up:

Remote Desktop Connection Manager (RDCMan) — a multi-session manager for admins. It doesn’t come preinstalled. You download a zip and run the EXE. There’s no wizard; it’s portable.
Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe) — the classic built-in client. It’s part of Windows and sits in C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe. You can launch it from Start, Run, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.

If your goal is simply to connect to one PC, the built-in client does the job. If you manage many servers or keep groups and saved creds, the Sysinternals manager is handy.

Find Remote Desktop Manager On Windows 10: Paths And Shortcuts

RDCMan: Not Preinstalled, Download And Run

RDCMan is now published under the Sysinternals banner. Download the current build as a zip, extract it anywhere you prefer (Downloads, Tools, or C:\Program Files\Sysinternals), and run RDCMan.exe. You can also run it straight from the Sysinternals Live share without downloading by pointing File Explorer to \\live.sysinternals.com\tools\RDCMan.exe. Add a desktop shortcut if you want it one click away.

mstsc.exe: Built-In Client Location

The standard client lives at C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe. Windows also exposes it as a Start menu shortcut so you don’t need to browse to System32. If the Start entry ever goes missing, launching the EXE directly still works.

Open Methods You Can Use Right Now

Start menu → Windows Accessories → Remote Desktop Connection.
Search → type remote or mstsc and hit Enter.
Run (Win+R) → type mstsc → Enter.
Command Prompt / PowerShell → type mstsc.exe and press Enter.
File Explorer → paste C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe into the address bar.

Why RDCMan Isn’t In Start By Default

RDCMan started life as an internal Microsoft tool, later posted publicly. Microsoft pulled the old build years ago due to a bug, then republished a fixed and maintained release under Sysinternals. Since it’s a niche admin utility, Microsoft keeps it as an optional download instead of bundling it with Windows. That’s why you won’t find “Remote Desktop Connection Manager” under Windows Accessories on a new machine.

Step-By-Step: Get RDCMan On Your PC

Download And Place The App

Download the zip from the official Sysinternals page.
Right-click the zip → Extract All….
Move the extracted folder to a stable location (many users pick C:\Tools\RDCMan or C:\Program Files\Sysinternals\RDCMan).
Double-click RDCMan.exe to launch.

Create A Start Menu Shortcut (Optional)

Right-click RDCMan.exe → Create shortcut.
Cut the shortcut and paste it here to place it with other system tools:
C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories
Rename the shortcut to Remote Desktop Connection Manager to match your habits.

Pin To Taskbar Or Start (Optional)

Right-click the EXE or its shortcut → Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar. For admins who open it all day, this cuts a few clicks.

Open The Built-In Client Fast

Keyboard-Only Launch

Press Win+R.
Type mstsc /v:SERVERNAME and hit Enter.

Useful One-Liners You Can Copy

mstsc /v:SERVERNAME
mstsc /admin /v:SERVERNAME
mstsc /multimon /v:SERVERNAME
mstsc /f /v:SERVERNAME
mstsc C:\Path\To\SavedConnection.rdp

These switches open the client to a target host, use the console session, span multiple monitors, start full screen, or load a saved .rdp file.

If The Start Menu Shortcut Disappeared

Sometimes the “Remote Desktop Connection” tile under Windows Accessories goes missing after a cleanup or shortcut edit. The program still exists in System32. Two quick fixes:

Press Win+R → type mstsc → Enter.
Recreate the Start menu shortcut:
1. Open C:\Windows\System32, right-click mstsc.exe → Create shortcut.
2. Move the shortcut to C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories.

What About The Microsoft “Remote Desktop” Store App?

Windows also offers a modern app for cloud desktops and Azure services. Microsoft is shifting those scenarios to the newer Windows app. None of this removes the classic Remote Desktop Connection client (mstsc.exe) that comes with Windows, so you can keep using it to connect to PCs by IP or name. If you manage many cloud resources, the Windows app may fit better; if you connect to a few servers or workstations, mstsc stays handy.

Quick Checks Before You Connect

Remote Desktop enabled on the target — On the remote PC, go to Settings → System → Remote Desktop and turn it on. Your account needs permission to connect.
Address and firewall — Confirm the host name or IP and make sure inbound RDP isn’t blocked on the network path.
Saved .rdp files — If you use saved profiles, keep them in a known folder (Documents\RDP) and back them up.

Which Tool Should You Use Day To Day?

Use The Built-In Client When

You connect to a handful of machines.
You prefer simple shortcuts and saved .rdp files.
You want a guaranteed, built-in path that works on any Windows 10 box.

Use The Sysinternals Manager When

You juggle dozens or hundreds of hosts.
You need tree-based groups, thumbnails, and common settings inherited by groups.
You want quick mass connect/disconnect actions.

Troubleshooting: mstsc Won’t Launch Or Errors Out

Try These Fixes

Run System File Checker — Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
```
sfc /scannow
```
Repair component store — In the same window:
```
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
```
Recreate the shortcut — Point a new shortcut to C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe.
Test with a saved profile — Create a new .rdp from the client’s Show Options menu and save it, then launch that file.

Quick Paths, Commands, And Where Things Live

Task Or Item	Where You’ll Find It	Fast Launch
Built-in client (Remote Desktop Connection)	`C:\Windows\System32\mstsc.exe` and Start → Windows Accessories	`Win`+`R` → `mstsc`
Sysinternals RDCMan (downloaded)	Wherever you placed `RDCMan.exe` (portable)	Create your own shortcut or pin to taskbar
Sysinternals Live (no download)	`\\live.sysinternals.com\tools\RDCMan.exe`	Paste path in File Explorer

Smart Tips For Faster Work

Use saved .rdp files — Click Show Options in mstsc, tune the display, local resources, and gateway, then click Save As…. Double-click the file when you need that server.
Group common hosts — In RDCMan, create a group per site or role. Set credentials at the group level so child servers inherit them.
Multi-monitor sessions — Launch with mstsc /multimon for a larger canvas.
Quick console access — Use mstsc /admin when you need the console session.

Security Pointers You Shouldn’t Skip

Keep Windows updated — Client and host updates close known holes and smooth RDP behavior.
Use a gateway or VPN — Avoid exposing RDP straight to the internet. A gateway or VPN adds a layer that cuts risk.
Lock saved creds — If you store passwords in tools, protect the account and device with strong sign-in and disk encryption.

Authoritative References For Deeper Details

You can grab the official Sysinternals build of Remote Desktop Connection Manager on the Sysinternals RDCMan page. For command-line switches and syntax for the built-in client, see Microsoft’s reference for the mstsc command.