How to Reinstall Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) on Windows 7 and Later

If you’ve recently uninstalled the Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) on your Windows 7 or later operating system, don’t worry – you can easily reinstall it. RDP, also known as the Remote Desktop Protocol, is a built-in feature in Windows that allows you to remotely access and control your computer from another location. Whether you accidentally removed it or simply need to reinstall it, the process is straightforward.

Uninstalling Remote Desktop Connection

Before we dive into the reinstallation process, let’s quickly review the steps to uninstall Remote Desktop Connection. This will help you understand the context and the necessary steps to get it back on your system.

To uninstall Remote Desktop Connection on Windows 11 23H2 or later:

1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the “Apps” section.
2. Select “Installed apps” and find the “Remote Desktop Connection” entry.
3. Click the three dots next to it and choose “Uninstall”.
4. Confirm the uninstallation process and restart your computer if prompted.

It’s important to note that uninstalling Remote Desktop Connection will also remove the “RemoteApp and Desktop Connections” control panel, so keep that in mind if you rely on those features.</

Reinstalling Remote Desktop Connection

Now that you’ve uninstalled Remote Desktop Connection, let’s walk through the steps to reinstall it:

1. Download the appropriate Remote Desktop Connection installer file for your system:
   • Windows 64-bit (most common)
   • Windows 32-bit
   • Windows ARM64
2. Open the downloaded file to run the installer.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process.

Once the installation is finished, you should be able to access the Remote Desktop Connection app and use it to remotely connect to your computer or other devices.

Enabling Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 8.0

If you’re running Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, you may need to enable the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 8.0 update to take advantage of the latest features. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install the appropriate RDP 8.0 update package for your system:
   • Update for Windows 7 SP1 (x86-based systems)
   • Update for Windows 7 SP1 (x64-based systems)
   • Update for Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (x64-based systems)
2. Restart your computer.
3. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
4. Enable the Remote Desktop Protocol policy under the “Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Remote Session Environment” node.
5. If you require UDP functionality, enable the RDP Transport policy and set the value to “Use both TCP and UDP”.
6. Restart your computer again to complete the process.

Keep in mind that the RDP 8.0 update is not compatible with virtual desktops that have RemoteFX vGPU installed. If you encounter any issues, you may need to remove the RemoteFX vGPU before enabling RDP 8.0.

Troubleshooting Remote Desktop Connection Issues

If you’re still experiencing issues with Remote Desktop Connection after reinstalling it, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check if the Remote Desktop service is running on your computer. You can do this by opening the Services app and ensuring the “Remote Desktop Services” service is started.
2. Verify that the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is enabled in your computer’s firewall settings.
3. If you’re using Windows 7, make sure you’ve installed the necessary updates and prerequisites, such as hotfix 2574819, before enabling RDP 8.0.
4. Consider using a third-party remote desktop solution, such as TSplus, if you continue to experience issues with the built-in Remote Desktop Connection.

Reinstalling Remote Desktop Connection is a straightforward process, and it should restore your ability to remotely access your computer. However, if you encounter any persistent problems, don’t hesitate to explore alternative solutions or seek further assistance from Microsoft or other reputable sources.