Microsoft Remote Desktop Keyboard Shortcuts

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February 20, 2007

Working remotely used to be the future. For me it is the present. I love using Remote Desktop which is built into Windows XP professional as well as Windows 2000 server and Windows 2003 server. Microsoft has even made the Remote Desktop client available for Windows 2000 and the Mac.

These are some useful shortcuts that you may use while using Remote Desktop. Enjoy!

Remote Desktop Shortcut Description
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.


How do you restart your remote computer using Remote Desktop?

Going to Start button on your remote computer will only allow you to Log Off. You will not be able to restart the remote computer. To restart the remote computer follow these steps:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+END
2. Click on Shut Down
3. Select Restart

Give it some time for the computer to restart. Once the computer restarts you will once again be able to connect to it.