Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Keyboard Shortcut

Remote Desktop Connection is an application in Microsoft Windows which allows any user to get a remote assistance from another windows user. However there are lot of trouble while using it specially with keyboard shortcut. You cant use the default keyboard short cut like ALT + TAB to navigate using Remote Desktop. So what do you do ? , Most of us just use the mouse to navigate. I had the same problem and found a solution for that too. Now you can be a power user with the list of keyboard shortcut I am going to mention.

But before looking at them here are some facts about Remote Desktop Connection. Its based on Terminal Services and is a product of Microsoft. It follows the Remote Desktop Protocol i.e a multi-channel protocol that allows a user to connect to a computer running Microsoft Terminal Services. Clients exist for most versions of Windows (including handheld versions), and other operating systems such as Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris and Mac OS X.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Keyboard Shortcut

CTRL + ALT + END : Opens the Microsoft Widnows NT security dialog box.
ALT + PAGEUP : Switch between programs left to right.
ALT + PAGEDOWN : Switch between programs right to left.
ALT + INSERT : Cycle through programs in most recently used order.
ALT + HOME : Display Start Menu.
CTRL + ALT + BREAK : Switch the client computer between a window and full screen.
ALT + DELETE : Displays the windows menu.
CTRL + ALT + Minus Sign (-) : Place a snapshot of the active window in the client the terminal server, same as PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.
CTRL + ALT + Plus Sign (+) : Place a snapshot of the entire window in the client the terminal server, same as PRINT SCREEN on a local computer.

So have fun with those shortcuts and and there are more coming in this new category. !!!

About The Author of this article:
Ashish is one of the co-author of this blog and writes on various interesting softwares, PC tips and more. You can read more of his articles here.

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8 Comments and Link-Backs to “Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Keyboard Shortcut”

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7 Comments from Friends and Readers

Rob Dunn, May 11, 2007:

Great post - I always was slightly annoyed with the various key strokes in RDP, and I knew that I was missing something (but never had the time to do something about it when it annoyed me the most! Usually had to fix a problem that needed my undivided attention).

Thanks again - very helpful!

Rob
Ashish Mohta, May 11, 2007:

@Rob: Thats really cool. Never knew thses shortcuts are required by people. Thanks a lot for your comments. I hope you get into Top commentators list.
Mike Cohen, August 15, 2007:

I’m sorry this is a bit off topic but does know which (if any) cell phones can run Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection?
raju, September 25, 2007:

how can i get the remote desktop connections

please give me needful help
thanking you
raju
Ashish Mohta, September 25, 2007:

@Raju: Type “mstsc” in run box or Check out in Accesories > Connections . If both does not work, then u need to install from add/ remove programs of windows component
sandesh, April 29, 2008:

how would i know whether the remote desktop i wanted to access is already used by som other?
Ashish Mohta, April 29, 2008:

Sandesh, I dont think you can. However there is another way.Just login with your id and it will give you warning that “X” is logged in and will be logged of if you login. So that way you can at least get to know if any other id is used. However in case somebody has logged in using you windows Id its not possible to find as your credential matches