Summary of "Claude MCP Windows Issue Workaround"

Summary

This video is a short workaround guide for enabling Claude Desktop “MCP” tools on Windows, specifically fixing a case where only SQL Lite tools appeared and File System tools did not.

What to do in Claude Desktop

In Claude Desktop, turn on Developer Mode:
- Go to File → Settings → Developer
- Ensure Developer mode is enabled so the MCP tools are listed.

Initially, only ~6 SQL Lite tools showed up. The guide focuses on getting File System MCP tools working too.

Windows workaround for MCP config (fixing `npx`)

Main issue: npx doesn’t work properly on Windows for their setup.

When editing the MCP config file (based on their Git documentation), the speaker changes the command:

Replace npx with npm install -g ... to install globally.
Then run via node instead of npx.

Steps inside Windows

Fully stop Claude Desktop before updating config:
- Use Task Manager → Processes → End Task for Claude.
Update the config:
- Use the path to the MCP server module and set it up so Node runs the JavaScript entry point.
- To find the correct path to where node modules are installed, run:
  - npm root -g (this returns the global node_modules path)
- The config then uses that path (and related subfolders like the distribution/entry locations) to point to the MCP server.

Verification / Result

After updating the config and restarting:

Launch Claude Desktop
Wait for the MCP tools to finish loading (a command/console window appears)

Outcome: the tool list expands from only SQLite/SQL Lite tools to include additional File System tools (the speaker notes they see multiple new File System entries).

Confirmed result: they can now use both SQLite and File System MCP tools.

Notes about running scripts

They mention using a .bat file in Windows, but imply the same commands should work in PowerShell or Command Prompt.

Main speakers / sources

Speaker: Unnamed (single presenter guiding the workaround)
Source referenced: Claude Desktop “MCP” Git documentation (used as the baseline configuration)