How to Send Ctrl + Alt + Del through Remote Desktop?

When using a remote desktop, pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del affects your local computer, not the remote one. This happens because your local system takes this command for security reasons. To perform the same action on the remote system, use the Ctrl + Alt + End keys, which are recognized by the Remote Desktop client and sent to the remote computer.n

1. Use Ctrl + Alt + End

The shortcut Ctrl + Alt + End works by sending the command to the remote computer instead of your local one, getting around the local system’s capture of Ctrl + Alt + Del. This allows you to access important remote features like Task Manager or log off, making it useful for managing remote desktops.

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run command window. Enter ‘mstsc‘ and press Enter to launch Remote Desktop Connection.

   

2. Select Show Options at the bottom, then navigate to the Local Resources tab.
3. Check the Keyboard option. If ‘Only when using the full screen‘ is selected, the combination won’t function unless in full screen. Alternatively, choose ‘On the remote computer‘ to enable it on any window size.

   

4. Connect to the remote computer and use Ctrl + Alt + End in place of the default Ctrl + Alt + Del combination.

   

2. Use the On-Screen Keyboard

The on-screen keyboard in the remote desktop session lets you directly press Ctrl + Alt + Del. This method avoids the local system blocking the command, making sure it goes to the remote system.

1. In the Remote Desktop Session, search and open the On-Screen Keyboard.
   Note: Alternatively, type ‘osk‘ in the Run command window.

   

2. Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del combination using the On-Screen Keyboard.
3. If unsuccessful, use Ctrl + Alt on a physical keyboard and Del on the On-Screen Keyboard.