You can enable certain settings that affect keyboard behavior for certain key combinations.

Chrome supports certain key presses and key combinations in the local operating system and the remote system. For other keys and key combinations when the user connects using a Windows keyboard, certain key combinations are not supported in the remote operating system. However, the local system does process the input. You can enable settings to change the behavior.

Without certain settings, the following keys and keyboard combinations often do not work in remote desktops.
  • Windows key combinations.
  • Alt+Backspace.
    Important: To input Ctrl+Alt+Del, use the Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete toolbar button at the top of the sidebar.
  • Caps Lock+modifier_key (such as Alt or Shift).
Using settings on the client, you can change the behavior of the keyboard.
  • Enable Alt-Backspace
  • Enable Windows Key for Desktops

Typically, the Backspace key deletes text to the left of the cursor. If you select Enable Alt-Backspace, the modifier key, Alt + Backspace removes text to the right of the cursor.

If you enable the Windows key for remote desktops, the following Windows key combinations work in remote desktops. To enable this key, click the Open Settings Window toolbar button in the sidebar and turn on Enable Windows Key for Desktops.

After you turn on the Enable Windows Key for Desktops, you must press Ctrl+Search to simulate pressing the Windows key.

These key combinations do not work for published applications. These key combinations do work for Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 remote desktops and published desktops.

Some key combinations that work in remote desktops that have a Windows 8.x or Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system do not work in remote desktops that have a Windows 7 or Windows 10 operating system.

Table 1. Windows Key Shortcuts for Windows 10 Remote Desktops and Windows Server 2016 Remote Desktops
Keys Action Limitations
Win Open or close Start.
Win+A Open Action center.
Win+E Open File Explorer.
Win+G Open game bar when a game is open.
Win+H Open the Share charm.
Win+I Open the Settings charm.
Win+K Open the Connection quick action.
Win+M Minimize all windows.
Win+R Open the Run dialog box.
Win+S Open Search.
Win+X Open the Quick Link menu.
Win+, (comma) Temporarily peek at the remote desktop.
Win+Enter Open Narrator.
Table 2. Windows Key Shortcuts for Windows 8.x and Windows Server 2012 R2 Remote Desktops
Keys Action Limitations
Win+F1 Open Windows Help and Support.
Win Show or hide the Start window.
Win+B Set focus on the notification area.
Win+C Open the Charms panel.
Win+D Show and hide the remote desktop.
Win+E Open File Explorer.
Win+H Open the Share charm.
Win+I Open the Settings charm.
Win+K Open the Devices charm.
Win+M Minimize all windows.
Win+Q To search everywhere or within the open app, if the app supports app search, open the Search charm.
Win+R Open the Run dialog box.
Win+S To search Windows and the Web, open the Search charm.
Win+X Open the Quick Link menu.
Win+Z Show the commands available in the app.
Win+, (comma) Temporarily show the remote desktop, as long as you continue pressing the keys. Does not work on Windows 2012 R2 operating systems.
Win+Shift+M Restore minimized windows on the remote desktop.
Win+Home Minimize all but the active remote desktop window (restores all windows when you press Win+Home a second time).
Win+Enter Open Narrator.
Table 3. Windows Key Shortcuts for Windows 7 Remote Desktops
Keys Action Limitations
Win Open or close the Start menu.
Win+D Show and hide the remote desktop.
Win+M Minimize all windows.
Win+E Open the Computer folder.
Win+R Open the Run dialog box.
Win+Home Minimize all but the active remote desktop window.
Win+G Cycle through running remote desktop gadgets.
Win+U Open the Ease of Access Center.