7 Quick Ways to Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool in Windows 11

Quick Tips

• You can quickly launch the Remote Desktop connection tool by executing the mstsc.exe command on Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or Run prompt.
• Pinning the Remote Desktop connection tool on the Start and Taskbar gives you quick access.
• Use the Task Manager to launch the tool if you can’t find it in the search results.

Method 1. Open the Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using the Start Menu

Step 1: Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu.

Step 2: Type remote desktop connection in the search bar. Click on the Open option from the search results to launch the tool.

Method 2. Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using Run Dialog Box

The Run dialog box can run shortcodes and open folder locations. So, all the programs located in the Windows folder can be called directly from the Run dialog box. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to launch the Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type mstsc in the text input box and press Enter to launch the Remote Desktop Connection tool.

Method 3. Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using Pinned Shortcut

Repeatedly searching for a frequently required tool can be cumbersome. So, you can pin the Remote Desktop Connection tool’s shortcut to the Start menu and the Taskbar for easier access. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press the Windows key to open the Start menu. Type remote desktop connection in the search box.

Step 2: Click on the Pin to Start option in the right-hand pane.

Step 3: The Remote Desktop Connection icon will appear in the Start menu. Right-click on it and click on the Pin to taskbar option.

Step 4: The Remote Desktop Connection tool’s icon will be pinned permanently on the Taskbar. You can click and drag the icon to adjust its position on the Taskbar.

Method 4. Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using File Explorer

Remote Desktop Tool resides in the System32 subfolder of the Windows folder in C: drive. You can use the File Explorer app to access the folder and launch the tool. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows + E keyboard shortcut to launch the File Explorer.

Step 2: Go to the address bar, type the following path and press Enter:

C:\Windows\System32

Step 3: Scroll down and locate the mstsc.exe file. You can also use the Search bar at the top to search for the file.

Step 4: Double-click on the executable file to launch the Remote Desktop Connection tool.

Step 5: Create a desktop shortcut directly from the File Explorer window. Right-click on the mstsc.exe file and click on Show more options.

Step 6: Hover on the Send to option in the context menu. Click on the Desktop (create shortcut) option.

Step 7: A shortcut to the Remote Desktop Connection tool will appear on the desktop. Double-click it to launch it.

Method 5. Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using Task Manager

Task Manager exercises control over processes and services, but you can also use it to launch applications. Repeat the following steps to open the Remote Desktop Connection tool using Task Manager:

Step 1: Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut simultaneously to open the Task Manager.

Step 2: The Processes tab will open by default. Go to the top-right area and click on the Run new task button.

Step 3: Type mstsc.exe in the text input box. Click on the OK button to launch the tool.

Step 4: Close the Task Manager.

Method 6. Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using Terminal App

Windows 11 sports a new Terminal app that can launch both PowerShell and Command Prompt within one app. So, you can open a new tab of either of these terminal tools and launch the Remote Desktop Connection tool. Here’s how:

Step 1: Right-click the Windows button to open the Power User menu. Select the Terminal option.

Step 2: In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:

Mstsc.exe

Step 3: The Remote Desktop Connection tool will launch. Close the Terminal app window.

Method 7. Open Remote Desktop Connection Tool Using a Keyboard Shortcut

If you need to open the Remote Desktop Connection tool on a whim, you can map a keyboard shortcut in Windows 11. By default, the tool has no shortcut, so you must do it manually. Here’s how:

Step 1: Press the Windows + D keyboard shortcut to switch to the Desktop.

Step 2: Right-click the newly created Remote Desktop Connection tool shortcut and select the Properties option.

Step 3: Click the Text box next to the Shortcut Key label. Press the Ctrl + Shift keyboard shortcut and type R. The combination to open the tool becomes the Ctrl + Shift + R keyboard shortcut.

Step 4: Click the Apply button and then the OK button.

Step 5: Press the configured key combination to launch the tool.