Remote Desktop Services Shortcut Keys
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Article
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09/10/2021
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In this article
The following is a list of the Remote Desktop Services shortcut keys.
A note regarding missing keys: Many compact keyboards do not contain some keys. For example, many laptops do not have a dedicated BREAK key. However, they usually have keyboard shortcuts that replace dedicated keys. These key replacements are specified by the manufacturer of the keyboard, so you may need to look up key replacements in the documentation provided by your keyboard or laptop manufacturer.
There are two different sets of shortcut key combinations you can use on a remote desktop connection: the default Windows shortcut keys, or the shortcut keys originally designed for the remote desktop. You can set which shortcut keys you use on the local and remote machine through the Remote Desktop Connection client (ie, the dialog that appears when you click on the Remote Desktop Connection icon). From there, click Show Options (if you cannot see the options), and then click the Local Resources tab. In the Apply Windows key combinations drop-down, you have three options:
| Option |
Description |
| On this computer |
The default key combinations will work on your local machine only. You must use the alternate combinations on the remote desktop. |
| On the remote computer |
The default key combinations will work only on the remote desktop. You must use the alternate combinations on the local machine. Note that once you close down the Remote Desktop Connection, your local machine will once again use the default windows shortcuts. |
| Only when using the full screen |
The default key combinations will work on whichever machine has the full desktop; functionally, this means that the default key combinations work for the local machine, unless you have the Remote Desktop Connection window in full-screen mode. |
For more user information about Remote Desktop connection, See How to use Remote Desktop.
| Shortcut key |
Description |
CTRL+ALT+HOME
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Activates the connection bar.
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CTRL+ALT+BREAK or one of these shortcuts:
- CTRL+ALT+PAUSE
- CTRL+ALT+PRTSCN
- CTRL+ALT+FN+SCRLK
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Switches the client between full-screen mode and window mode.
If these shortcuts don't work, or the keys aren't available, you can try the following alternative:
- Press CTRL+ALT+HOME, TAB, TAB, TAB, TAB, TAB, ENTER. This activates the connection bar, and then presses the Restore down button.
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CTRL+ALT+END
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Brings up the Windows Security dialog box for the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) (provides the same functionality as pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL on the local computer).
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The following table describes the standard Windows shortcut keys and their equivalent Remote Desktop shortcuts that are different. (For example, Ctrl+Z is generally the 'Undo' shortcut on both standard Windows and Remote Desktop.)
| Windows shortcut |
Remote Desktop shortcut |
Description |
ALT+TAB
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ALT+PAGE UP
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Switches between programs from left to right.
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ALT+SHIFT+TAB
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ALT+PAGE DOWN
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Switches between programs from right to left.
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ALT+INSERT
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Cycles through the programs in the order they were started.
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Windows key
or
CTRL+ESC
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ALT+HOME
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Displays the Start menu.
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ALT+SPACE BAR
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ALT+DELETE
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Displays the system menu.
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ALT+PRINT SCREEN
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CTRL+ALT+MINUS SIGN (-)
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Places a snapshot of the active window, within the client, on the clipboard.
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PRINT SCREEN
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CTRL+ALT+PLUS SIGN (+)
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Places a snapshot of the entire client windows area on the clipboard .
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Author: Sergey TkachenkoSergey Tkachenko is a software developer from Russia who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube. View all posts by Sergey Tkachenko Remote Desktop Keyboard Shortcuts for RDP & Windows Terminal ServicesPosted on October 31, 2007
News and Articles Helpful when I need to bring up task manager or capture a windows print screen remotely on terminal services. Here is a list of all keyboard shortcuts forWindows XPandVista CTRL+ALT+END
Displays Task Manager (Equivalent to CTRL+ALT+DEL) ALT+PAGE UP
Switch between programs from left to right ALT+PAGE DOWN
Switch between programs from right to left ALT+INSERT
Cycle through the programs in most recently used order ALT+HOME
Display the Start menu. When you are in full screen mode, the Windows button works too. CTRL+ALT+BREAK
Switch the client computer between a window and a full screen. (Hint: The Break button is to the right of the function Keys and is shared by the Pause key) CTRL + ALT + MINUS (–)
Places a snapshot of the active window in the Remote Desktop session on the clipboard. Basically a print screen that gets transferred. (Equivalent to ALT+PRINT SCREEN) CTRL + ALT + PLUS (+)
Places a snapshot of the entire Remote Desktop session window on the clipboard. (Equivalent to PRINT SCREEN) ALT+HOME
Displays the Start menu. Only works when not in Full Screen mode.
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