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:

1. Launch Claude Desktop
2. 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)