Microsoft Remote Desktop Hotkeys
Using Remote Desktop as easy as local machine
Disclaimer: Currently I am employed by Microsoft, but my views and thoughts are still my own. The reason I joined Microsoft was, the work Microsoft have been doing for last couple of years in Open Source Space. Today I am a advocate for Open Source representing Microsoft.
1. Entering Remote Desktop
Press Win+R to open Run Dialog, then type mstsc to open Microsoft Terminal Services Client
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
mstsc /v:<ip:port> |
Start Remote Desktop and connect to Server, port is optional |
mstsc /f |
Start Remote Desktop in Full Screen Mode |
mstsc /admin |
Runs Remote Desktop in Admin Mode |
mstsc /w:<width> /h:<height> |
Specify either width or height of Window |
mstsc /public |
Run Remote Desktop in Public Mode |
mstsc /span |
Matches Remote Desktop with local virtual desktop |
mstsc /multimon |
Matches Session Layout to Client Layout |
mstsc "connection file" |
Opens Connection Settings of the .rdp file |
mstsc /edit "connection file" |
Opens the .rdp file for editing |
mstsc /migrate |
Migrates older rdp file to new rdp files |
mstsc /? |
List all parameters |
2. Using Shortcuts in Remote Desktop
| Hotkey | Description |
|---|---|
Alt+Page Up |
Switches between programs from left to right (equals standard desktop Alt+Tab) |
Alt+Page Down |
Switches between programs for right to left (equals standard desktop Alt+Shift+Tab) |
Alt+Insert |
Cycles through the programs in the order they were started (equals standard desktop Alt+Insert) |
Alt+Home |
Displays the Start menu (equals standard desktop Ctrl+Escape) |
Ctrl+Alt+Pause |
Switches the client between full-screen mode and window mode |
Ctrl+Alt+Home |
Show (or focus) on Connection Bar (when in full-screen mode) |
Ctrl+Alt+End |
Brings up the Windows Security dialog box. |
Alt+Delete |
Displays the Windows menu. |
Ctrl+Alt+Minus |
Screenshot of active Window into Clipboard (equals standard desktop PrtScr) |
Ctrl+Alt+Plus |
Screenshot of Entire Remote Desktop into Clipboard (equals standard desktop Alt+PrtScr) |