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Product LaunchDecember 17, 20248 min read

Claude Desktop for Windows Now Supports MCP: Full Setup Guide

Anthropic releases Claude Desktop for Windows with full MCP support. Connect Claude to your local files, databases, and development tools. Here is the complete setup guide for Windows users.

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MCP Comes to Windows

After months of Mac-only availability, Anthropic has finally released Claude Desktop for Windows with full Model Context Protocol support. Windows users can now connect Claude to local MCP servers, enabling powerful integrations with files, databases, APIs, and development tools.

What You Can Do with MCP on Windows

  • Access and edit local files directly through Claude
  • Query local SQLite, PostgreSQL, and MySQL databases
  • Run Git commands and manage repositories
  • Execute PowerShell scripts and system commands
  • Connect to Slack, GitHub, Google Drive, and more
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Installation Guide

Step 1: Download Claude Desktop

Download the latest Claude Desktop installer from claude.ai/download. Run the installer and follow the prompts.

Step 2: Configure MCP Settings

Create or edit the MCP configuration file at:

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Example Configuration

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "C:\\Users\\YourName\\Documents"
      ]
    },
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite",
        "--db-path",
        "C:\\path\\to\\database.db"
      ]
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop

After saving your configuration, restart Claude Desktop. You should see your MCP servers listed in the connection menu.

Popular MCP Servers for Windows

Development Tools

  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-github
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-gitlab
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite

Productivity Tools

  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-slack
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-google-drive
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-notion
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
  • • @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search

For automated workflows, consider pairing Claude Desktop with XCryptoBot for trading automation or Mortgage-Info.com for financial research.

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Tips for Windows Users

Use Double Backslashes in Paths

Windows paths in JSON require escaped backslashes. Use C:\\\\Users\\\\Name instead of C:\Users\Name.

Run as Administrator for System Access

Some MCP servers may need elevated permissions. Right-click Claude Desktop and select Run as Administrator.

Check Node.js Installation

Most MCP servers require Node.js. Install the LTS version from nodejs.org and ensure npx is in your PATH.

The Future of AI on Windows

With MCP support on Windows, Claude Desktop becomes a powerful productivity tool for millions of Windows users. The ability to connect AI to local resources opens up endless possibilities for automation and assistance.

Claude Desktop for Windows with MCP is available now. Download it free from claude.ai/download.

Build Your Own MCP Server

TheModelContextProtocol.com is available for purchase. Perfect for MCP documentation, tools, or services.

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