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Install an MCP Server in Cursor on Windows: Config & Path Guide

Install an MCP server for Cursor on Windows — config file location at %USERPROFILE%\.cursor\mcp.json, JSON format, Windows path gotchas with npx, and how to reload and verify a server.

Last updated 27 September 2026

⚡ Quick Answer

Edit %USERPROFILE%\.cursor\mcp.json, add skills under mcpServers. If npx isn't found, get the full path with (Get-Command npx.cmd).Source in PowerShell. Restart Cursor after you save.

💡 Installing a skill from TrustedSkills? Most listings here are SKILL.md skills, not MCP servers, and they need no mcp.json entry at all. One command installs one — see install a skill in Cursor. This guide covers MCP servers.

Same concept as the Mac guide — different file location, one Windows-specific quirk with backslashes. Here's the whole thing.

Config File Location

%USERPROFILE%\.cursor\mcp.json
# Usually: C:\Users\YourName\.cursor\mcp.json

Creating the Config

# PowerShell
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\.cursor"
code "$env:USERPROFILE\.cursor\mcp.json"
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"]
    }
  }
}

npx Not in PATH? Get the Full Path

# PowerShell
(Get-Command npx.cmd).Source
# C:\Program Files\nodejs\npx.cmd
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "memory": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\npx.cmd",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"]
    }
  }
}
⚠️ Backslash doubling: In JSON, every backslash must be doubled. C:\Program Files\nodejs\npx.cmd becomes C:\\Program Files\\nodejs\\npx.cmd.

Reloading Cursor

  • Close and reopen Cursor after you edit mcp.json
  • Switch a server on or off from the Customize panel

Verifying It Works

Open Cursor Chat (Ctrl+L) and ask: "What tools do you have?"

💡 If IT policy blocks npx: install the server globally first (npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory). Then get the full path of its .cmd file with (Get-Command mcp-server-memory.cmd).Source and use that as the "command" instead of npx.
💡 Check the logs: Open the Output panel (Ctrl+Shift+U) and pick MCP Logs. It shows connection errors and server crashes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Cursor's MCP config on Windows?

At %USERPROFILE%\.cursor\mcp.json. Open the folder with explorer $env:USERPROFILE\.cursor in PowerShell.

How do I fix "npx not recognized" in Cursor on Windows?

Get the full path: (Get-Command npx.cmd).Source. Use that as the "command" value, doubling all backslashes.

Does Cursor support project-level MCP config on Windows?

Yes — create .cursor\mcp.json in your project root. Commit it to git for team sharing (without secrets).

TT

TrustedSkills Team

The TrustedSkills team maintains the TrustedSkills index of AI agent skills. The index records where each skill comes from and how to install it. It does not review or audit skill code.

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