Minimize window rdp hotkeys. Keyboard shortcut to minimize remote desktop

Is there a way, using the keyboard, to switch from the maximum (full screen) remote desktop connection to the host computer?

I have about 4 remote desktop connections that I switch between and it would be nice if I didn't switch to the mouse every time.

I know that I can press Ctrl + Alt + Break and it normalizes the remote desktop screen. It's close, but I'd like to just minimize it (so I don't have to normalize->switch->maximize every time I want to switch screens)

Ctrl + Alt + Home will bring focus to your local machine (at least in Win 8). Ctrl + Alt + Home and then Win will open a menu on your local computer.

When using a virtual machine, I often open multiple RDP sessions and toggle Ctrl + Alt + Home, then Win + T, then arrow keys to select the RDP session I want to be in.

This bugged me for a long time.

Initial attempts to resolve the issue using AutoHotkey fail because the Remote Desktop client installs a keyboard hook and swallows all input.

Finally I discovered that the Caps Lock key is being transmitted to the local system.

So this AutoHotkey script will do the trick of making Ctrl + Shift + CapsLock minimize the remote desktop:

#IfWinActive ahk_class TscShellContainerClass ^+CapsLock:: ; Need a short sleep here for focus to restore properly. Sleep 50 WinMinimize return #IfWinActive

Corrected version that works for me:

#IfWinActive ahk_class TSSHELLWND ^Capslock:: ; Ctrl+Caps Lock (couldn't make Ctrl+Shift+Caps Lock work for some reason ; Need a short sleep here for focus to restore properly. Sleep 50 WinMinimize A ; need A to specify Active window ;MsgBox, Received Remote Desktop minimize hotkey ; uncomment for debugging return #IfWinActive

Alt+Tab

You can use this common handy keyboard shortcut to exit the full-screen remote desktop, but it requires a slightly different setup before connecting. Instead of minifying the remote system, I simply switch to another local program and leave the remote system running in the background with the following:

  1. Before connecting to a remote computer with Remote Desktop Connection, in the Local Resources tab, I set Keyboard to On This Computer. This allows you to use Alt+Tab to take you back to any other program on the local system.
  2. When I want to switch between programs on the remote system, I use Alt + Page Up, which works the same as Alt + Tab, but only on the remote system.

Alternatively, you can use Alt + Page Down (or Alt + Shift + Page Up) to cycle through active programs on the remote system in reverse order.

One thing Luke mentioned is worth mentioning: With this setup, all keyboard shortcuts using the Windows key are sent to the local system. An example would be Windows Key + E to open Windows Explorer, which will take you to the local file system rather than the remote one.

It took quite a while to get used to, but this setup worked well for me without the need for additional software or more than one shortcut.

For me on Windows 7 64 bit to work with #IfWinActive ahk_class TSSHELLWND I had to change the 1st line from #IfWinActive ahk_class TSSHELLWND to "IfWinActive ahk_class TscShellContainerClass so now the complete script looks like this:

#IfWinActive ahk_class TscShellContainerClass ^Capslock:: ; Ctrl+Caps Lock (couldn't make Ctrl+Shift+Caps Lock work for some reason ; Need a short sleep here for focus to restore properly. Sleep 50 WinMinimize A ; need A to specify Active window ;MsgBox, Received Remote Desktop minimize hotkey ; uncomment for debugging return #IfWinActive

Not exactly what you asked, but might be quite useful:

CTRL + ALT + ← – switches you to the main computer

CTRL + ALT + → – switches you back to the remote computer

Source

Bring up the host task manager, then switch the task:

  • Ctrl + Alt + Delete (Windows Security)
  • T (task manager)
  • Alt + Tab (task switcher on host computer)

I have found that you need two combinations of shortcuts. It works on Windows 7.

  1. CTRL + ALT + BREAK minimizes the maximum window to the host computer.
  2. Win + M Minimize remote desktop window

Or in the first step you can change the window using ALT + TAB.

I'm doing the same thing. The best solution I found in XP was the virtual dimension with virtual desktops always on top. I can then switch between 4 remote desktops in full screen mode with one click. However, virtual size does not work quite correctly in Windows 7 (at least in 64 bit). It seems to work, but it loses the "always on top" although the checkbox remains, the virtual desktop doesn't work. This is so close to what we both want, but so far.

CTRL + ALT + Home allows you to focus on the Remote Desktop Connection panel. The connection panel includes a minimize button.

On Windows 7, if I disable the "Show connection bar when I'm using full screen" option when connecting, then the keys to minimize the RPD session are CTRL + ALT + Home Spacebar.

If the Connection Bar is set to (which is the default), this requires clicking Insert several times to minimize the RDP session: CTRL + ALT + Home Tab Spacebar.

I found this workaround using the mutli-desktop manager:

  1. Dexpot installation
  2. Set the "Next Desktop" hotkey to ALT + ScrollLock
  3. Configuring Remote Desktop to Capture All Keys in Full Screen Mode

You can then switch between full-screen desktops using ALT + ScrollLock.

I set the number of desktops to 2 since I only have one remote desktop.

Additionally, I installed Clavier, which allows me to use ScrollLock to switch between desktops. (Clavier config: Add-> Write Text... -> Shortcut: ScrollLock -> OK -> Write-Text: )

Alt + Caps Lock without Caps Lock annoying state changes ( It's good if you don't have Scroll Lock)

It's annoying to set up at first, but most comfortable in the long run. I like to switch quickly with just my left hand

Dexpot 1. Set the following desktop to Alt + Scroll Lock (if you don't have scroll lock, use the Windows on-screen keyboard to press "ScrLk"). 2. Set the previous desktop to Alt + Scroll Lock. 3. Establish an overview of the screens. Ctrl + Scroll Lock

Now use Autohotkey to redirect (this way Caps Lock won't be able to change its state):

GetKeyState, state, Capslock ; ; Alt + Caps Lock becomes Alt + Scroll Lock !Capslock:: send !(ScrollLock) return ; Alt + Shift + Caps Lock becomes Alt + Shift + Scroll Lock !+Capslock:: send !+(ScrollLock) return ; Ctrl + Caps Lock becomes Ctrl + Scroll Lock ^Capslock:: send ^(ScrollLock) return

Ready. You can now use Alt + Caps Lock to switch between screens without changing Caps Lock states. Also, if you only need two screens, you can set dexpot to use only two desktops, which will make the Alt+caps lock lock for the remote desktop.

Ctrl + Alt + Home worked for me. I'm using a Windows 10 host with teamviewer for Windows 8 running a terminal server. I was able to connect the terminal connection panel.

Keyboard shortcut to minimize remote desktop

is there a way to use the keyboard to switch from a maximized (full screen) remote desktop connection back to the host computer?

I have about 4 remote desktops that I switch between, and it would be nice not to have to switch to the mouse every time I want to switch.

I know that I can press Ctrl + Alt + Break and this will normalize the remote desktop screen. - It's close, but I'd like a way to just minimize it (so I don't have to normalize ->switch ->maximize every time I want to switch screens)

13 answers

Ctrl + Alt + Home will bring focus to your local machine (at least in Win 8). Ctrl + Alt + Home then Win will open the windows menu on your local computer.

Using a virtual machine, I often have multiple RDP sessions open and switch to Ctrl + Alt + Home then Win + T then arrow keys to select the RDP session I want to be.

this has bothered me for a long time.

Initial attempts to solve it using AutoHotkey fail because the remote desktop client installs a keyboard hook and swallows all input.

I finally discovered that the Caps Lock key is being transmitted to the local system.

So this AutoHotkey script will do the trick by doing Ctrl + Shift + CapsLock to minimize the remote desktop:

#IfWinActive ahk_class TscShellContainerClass ^+CapsLock:: ; Need a short sleep here for focus to restore properly.

Sleep 50 WinMinimize return #IfWinActive

fixed version that works for me:

You can use this common, handy keyboard shortcut to exit the full-screen remote desktop, but it requires a slightly different setup before connecting. Instead of minifying the remote system, I simply switch to another local program and leave the remote system running in the background with the following:

  1. Before connecting to the remote computer with Remote Desktop Connection, in the "Local Resources" tab, I set "Keyboard" to "On This Computer". This allows you to use Alt+Tab to jump back to any other program on the local system.
  2. when I want to switch between programs on the remote system, I use Alt + Page Up , which works the same way Alt + Tab would, but only on the remote system.

Additionally, you can use Alt + Pages (or Alt + Shift + Page Up) to switch back and forth between active programs on the remote computer.

for me on Windows 7 64 bit to make the sum work I had to change the 1st line from #IfWinActive ahk_class TSSHELLWND to" IfWinActive ahk_class TscShellContainerClass now the whole script looks like this:

#IfWinActive ahk_class TscShellContainerClass ^Capslock:: ; Ctrl+Caps Lock (couldn't make Ctrl+Shift+Caps Lock work for some reason ; Need a short sleep here for focus to restore properly. Sleep 50 WinMinimize A ; need A to specify Active window ;MsgBox, Received Remote Desktop minimize hotkey ; uncomment for debugging return #IfWinActive

CTRL + ALT + Home brings focus to the Remote Desktop Connection panel. The connection bar contains a Collapse button.

In Windows 7, If I uncheck the "Show the connection panel when I'm using full screen" option when connecting, then the keys to minimize the RPD session are CTRL + ALT + Home spacebar.

If shown in the connection string (default), this requires hitting Tab a couple of times to minimize the RDP session: CTRL + ALT + Home Tab Tab space.

I'm doing the same thing. The best solution I found in XP was the virtual dimension with virtual desktops always on top. I can then switch between 4 remote desktops in full screen mode with one click each. However, Virtual Dimension doesn't work quite right on Windows 7 (at least not on the 64-bit version). It seems to work, but it loses the "always on top" although the checkbox remains enabled, the virtual desktop switch does not. It's so close to what we both want, but so far away.

Alt + Caps Lock without Caps Lock annoying state changes ( ok if you don't have scroll lock)

Today we will tell you how to make your work at the computer more convenient and efficient. If you already have, or have updated, then you have the ability to create virtual desktops.

This is a great opportunity to conveniently perform different tasks on one computer.

Desktops in Windows 10

One of the major innovations that Windows 10 has pleased most users with is virtual desktops. Previously, this function was present only in operating systems based on Linux, as well as in Mac OS. Those who actively used the function of switching between virtual workspaces, but could not afford to constantly work, for example, in Linux, can now safely switch to Windows 10, while continuing to use this convenient function.

Why is it so useful? Workspace optimization. On one virtual desktop you can run, say, video rendering, file conversion or anti-virus scanning, and then switch to another workspace and continue doing your own thing.

How to switch between desktops?

There is no separate button for this function - to go to create and edit desktops, you need to click on the “Task View” or Task View icon next to the Microsoft logo and the search icon. Clicking on it leads to the display of all currently running applications on the screen, and also opens up the ability to create new virtual desktops - just click on the “Create desktop” button, which is located in the lower right corner.

To switch to the desired desktop, simply click on it. In addition, there are a number of hotkeys that will make switching between workspaces easier:

  • You can get to the “Task View” without unnecessary movements - just press Win + Tab.
  • You can also create new desktops using a simplified scheme - by pressing Win + Ctrl + D, you will instantly create a new workspace.
  • Using Task View to switch to the desired virtual desktop every time is quite inconvenient - that’s why the developers have added the ability to quickly switch using the combination Win + Ctrl + left or right arrow.
  • In addition, there are situations in which there are too many desktops, and you absolutely don’t want to delete them using the mouse - in this case, the combination Win + Ctrl + F4 will help, which deletes the active desktop. Please note that it is the workspace you are currently on that is deleted. Accordingly, after deleting the active desktop, you will be taken to the next one in order.

Windows 10 also provides the ability to move active applications to other virtual desktops - just right-click on the desired program, select “Move to” from the context menu and select the desktop. To enlarge a screenshot, click on it.

When you delete a virtual desktop, all programs that were currently running on it will be automatically moved to the adjacent desktop.

The settings for this feature can be found in Settings, in the System section, on the Multitasking tab.

There are few settings there. You can customize the display of windows and set the action to the ALT+TAB key combination.

Flaws

Despite the fact that Microsoft has taken a thorough approach to introducing the function of switching between desktops, there are some shortcomings in it:

  • You cannot swap desktops on the selection screen (although this is not a drawback for many).
  • You cannot change the name of the created desktop - you will have to get used to the serial numbers and remember where and what program is running.
  • Owners of two or more monitors will not be able to create different workspaces in order to simultaneously see different virtual desktops on the monitors.

Remote Desktop(RDC, Remote Desktop Connection or Microsoft Terminal Services Client) is a useful multichannel protocol that allows the user to connect to the administration remote computer with full screen support.

However, for the Desktop Connection remote screen to work effectively on the host Windows premises, users who frequently use Hotkeys,may become confused about the keyboard shortcuts to use when working on desktop of the remote computer, or get incorrect, erroneous, or unexpected behavior using keyboard shortcuts and accelerators.
For example, keyboard shortcut Ctrl-Alt-Del often used to bring up the Windows Security dialog, where users can launch the task manager, change the password, log out, shut down the computer, lock the desktop, enable the user, etc. When pressing the Ctrl-Alt-Del keys on the keyboard, the interrupt sequence will always be captured and processed by the local Windows system, despite the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connection window being maximized to full screen.

Another example is pressing Alt-Tab keys to switch between multiple open windows and run tasks or processes. Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut completely works on remote computer, when Remote Desktop Connection, will be opened in full screen mode, but will only be able to switch between windows when the RDC window is restored at the bottom, where the RDC windows are one of the windows in the rotation order.

To get the desired result, use keyboard shortcuts For Remote Desktop Connection, are slightly different when applied to a window remote desktop. Here is a list of commonly used ones hotkeys and key combinations for use in navigation remote desktop connection, along with the key actions, the equivalent key combinations on the local computer (in parentheses) are executed.

  • CTRL + ALT + END: Opens the Microsoft Windows NT Security dialog box (CTRL + ALT + DEL)
  • ALT + PAGE UP: Switch between programs from left to right (CTRL + PAGE UP)
  • ALT + PAGE DOWN: Switch between programs from right to left (CTRL + PAGE DOWN)
  • ALT+INSERT: Switch between programs in the last used order (ALT + TAB)
  • ALT+HOME: Display the Start menu (CTRL + ESC)
  • CTRL + ALT + BREAK: Switch the client computer between windowed mode and full screen mode
  • ALT+DEL: Opens the Windows menu
  • CTRL + ALT + minus sign (-): Captures the entire client window area to the Terminal Server clipboard and provides the same functionality as pressing ALT+PRINT SCREEN on the local computer (ALT+PRT SC)
  • CTRL + ALT + Plus sign (+): A snapshot of the active client window to the terminal server's clipboard and provides the same functionality as pressing PRINT SCREEN on the local computer (PRT SC)