Regardless of the language used, some key combinations cannot be sent to the to a remote desktop or application.

Web browsers allow some key presses and key combinations to be sent to both the client and the destination system. For other keys and key combinations, the input is processed only locally and is not sent to the destination system. The key combinations that work on your system depend on the browser software, the client operating system, and the language settings.

Note:

If you are using a Mac, you can map the Command key to the Windows Ctrl key when using the key combinations to select, copy, and paste text. To enable this feature, you can click the Open Settings Window toolbar button in the sidebar and turn on Enable Command-A, Command-C, Command-V, and Command-X. (This option appears in the Settings window only if you are using a Mac.)

The following keys and keyboard combinations often do not work in remote desktops:

  • Ctrl+T

  • Ctrl+W

  • Ctrl+N

  • Command key

  • Alt+Enter

  • Ctrl+Alt+any_key

    Important:

    To input Ctrl+Alt+Del, use the Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete toolbar button located at the top of the sidebar.

  • Caps Lock+modifier_key (such as Alt or Shift)

  • Function keys, if you are using a Chromebook

  • Windows key combinations

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

Important:

After you turn on Enable Windows Key for Desktops, you must press Ctrl+Win (on Windows systems), Ctrl+Command (on Macs), or Ctrl+Search (on Chromebooks) to simulate pressing the Windows key.

These key combinations do not work for remote applications provided by RDS hosts. They do work as listed for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 R2 single-user desktops and session-based desktops provided by an RDS host.

Some key combinations that work in remote desktops with a Windows 8.x or Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system do not work in remote desktops with a Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows 10 operating system.

Table 1. Windows Key Shortcuts for Windows 10 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 desktop.

Win+Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.

There is no Pause key on Chromebooks or Macs.

Win+Shift+M

Restore minimized windows on the desktop.

Does not work in Safari browsers.

Win+Alt+Num

Open the desktop and open the jump list for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

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.

Does not work in Safari browsers.

Win

Show or hide the Start screen.

Win+B

Set focus on the notification area.

Win+C

Open the Charms panel.

Win+D

Display and hide the desktop.

Does not work in Safari browsers. Workaround: Press Command-D on Macs.

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

Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app, if the app supports app search.

Win+R

Open the Run dialog box.

Win+S

Open the Search charm to search Windows and the Web.

Win+X

Open the Quick Link menu.

Win+Z

Show the commands available in the app.

Win+, (comma)

Temporarily display the desktop, as long as you continue pressing the keys.

Note:

Does not work on Windows 2012 R2 operating systems.

Win+Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.

There is no Pause key on Chromebooks or Macs.

Win+Shift+M

Restore minimized windows on the desktop.

Does not work in Safari browsers. Workaround: Press Command-D on Macs.

Win+Alt+Num

Open the desktop and open the jump list for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Up Arrow

Maximize the window.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Down Arrow

Remove current app from the screen or minimize the desktop window.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Left Arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Right Arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Home

Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows when you press Win+Home a second time).

Does not work in Safari browsers.

Win+Shift+Up Arrow

Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Shift+Down Arrow

Restore the desktop window vertically, while maintaining width, after pressing Win+Shift+Up to stretch the window, or minimize active desktop window.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Enter

Open Narrator.

Table 3. Windows Key Shortcuts for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Remote Desktops

Keys

Action

Limitations

Win

Open or close the Start menu.

Win+Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box.

There is no Pause key on Chromebooks or Macs.

Win+D

Display and hide the desktop.

Does not work in Safari browsers. Workaround: Press Command-D on Macs.

Win+M

Minimize all windows.

Win+E

Open the Computer folder.

Win+R

Open the Run dialog box.

Win+Up Arrow

Maximize the window.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Down Arrow

Minimize the window.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Left Arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Right Arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+Home

Minimize all but the active desktop window.

Does not work in Safari browsers.

Win+Shift+Up Arrow

Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen.

Does not work on a Chromebook.

Win+G

Cycle through running desktop gadgets.

Win+U

Open the Ease of Access Center.