How To Send Ctrl+Alt+Del Through Remote Desktop?

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is one of the first keyboard shortcuts you must have learned while learning key shortcuts ctrl alt del remote desktop – and for a good reason!

Ctrl+Alt+Delete In Remote Desktop

This handy shortcut will solve most of the problems you encounter while browsing Windows. 

It is helpful and probably one of the most used vital shortcuts out there.

The reason is that it opens up the Task Manager and allows you to manage all your running tasks from a single window. 

Read on if you’re wondering how to use Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Remote Desktop. It’s just as valuable – it will help you open up the Task Manager on your Remote Desktop.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete Remote Desktop – Why Use It, Variations, And More!

In the following sections, we’ll learn everything about Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Remote Desktop, for example, why use it, some variations, and its alternatives in Windows. So, let’s start. 

Why Use The Ctrl+Alt+Delete Keyboard Shortcut?

Indeed, the Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V is the first keyboard shortcut you learned, along with the Ctrl+Alt+Delete keyboard shortcut to open up the Task Manager.

It is used to manage the tasks running in the background and to see what services are not responding. 

You can even close those programs which eat more resources from here.

There are other important uses for this favorite keyboard shortcut, too, though- you can lock your computer (if you have set a password on it), switch the current user, log out, or even put the PC to sleep, restart, or shut it down from here. 

With this number of options available on this menu, it is easy to see why this keyboard shortcut is so helpful.

Variations Of Ctrl+Alt+Delete On Different Windows Versions

This key works differently on different Windows versions. Here are some variations.

  1. Windows 10 & 11
Variations Of Ctrl+Alt+Delete On Windows 10 & 11

In the latest versions of Windows, it will bring up a menu that has the options to:

  • Lock

The Windows will be locked to prevent another user from accessing it.

  • Switch User

The Windows will switch users, which means another Windows will open, and the present Windows will be suspended with all its tabs and applications intact for the previous user to switch back to.

  • Sign Out

It signs out of all the Windows accounts and closes the Windows.

  • Change Password

If the user uses an offline account, it will allow the user to change the password. However, there is no option to reset the password as the user must know the current password to reset it.

  • Task Manager

It opens up the Task Manager for managing the processes, ongoing programs, and other such things.

  1. Windows NT

Windows Security triggers the Windows Security Box, giving the option to lock the system, switch user passwords, open the task manager or update the password.

It might also act as a secure attention keystroke where the user if they switch off the PC, login and press the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination.

  1. Windows Vista

Starting with Windows Vista, this key sequence became a functionality, and it became a full-blown window and not a drop-down menu.

  1. Windows XP

Windows XP (now discontinued) is used to react in one of the following ways:

  • If used during login, a Welcome screen will open, and a classic UI will be launched.
  • Windows Task Manager will open instead of the Windows Security Screen if it has already opened.

Variations Of Ctrl+Alt+Delete Among Different OS

In other OSs, similar keystrokes can be used to open this window or a similar one.

  • Mac
"⌘"+"⌥"+Esc keys on Mac

Instead of the Ctrl+Alt+Delete combination on Mac, the alternative is “⌘”+”⌥”+Esc keys to open the Force Quit Panel. The Control+⌘+Power key combination is used to Reboot the computer.

The first generation of Mac OS X had a feature where pressing Control+⌥ Option+Delete options would trigger an ‘Easter Egg’ notification which would say ‘This is not DOS’!

  • OS/2

In OS/2, this keyboard stroke will tell the PC that you want to perform a soft reboot of the computer. It displays the message ‘System is rebooting.’

If you repeat the key combination, there will be no session manager, and the PC will reboot without asking for a confirmation message.

All running programs will be closed this way, and all unsaved work will be lost.

  • Linux

In Linux, this key combination is used for logging out of the system.

How To Send Ctrl alt Del Remote Desktop?

Ctrl+Alt+Delete is a key combination that doesn’t work on a Remote Desktop because your computer uses this combination. 

You may even have to lock the RDP screen and log out to use it. However, here are some alternatives for Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Remote Desktop.

Method 1: Use Ctrl+Alt+End or Fn+End

For remote desktops, the key combination that works is Ctrl+Alt+End. If you can’t find the End key (located on the right of your right side Enter key), you can also use the Fn key, which is usually on laptops. It also works for terminal server sessions.

  • Open the Remote Desktop Connection. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard for it, and then type ‘mstsc’ and click OK.
Open the Remote Desktop Connection. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard for it, and then type ‘mstsc’ and click OK.
  • A Remote Desktop connection window will pop up, on which you have to select Show Options at the bottom.
Select Show Options at the bottom.
  • Go to the Local Resource tab and select ‘Only when using the full screen from the dropdown.
  • Find the General tab and type in the Computer’s IP address to which you want to connect and the username of the system to which the connection is required remotely, and click Connect.
  • Now that the session is active, press Ctrl+Alt+End instead of Ctrl+Alt+Delete on the keyboard.

Method 2: On-Screen Keyboard

Another way to do Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Remote Desktop is: 

  • Click on Start on the Remote PC.
  • Type ‘OSK’ for On-Screen Keyboard on your start search bar and click on On-Screen Keyboard to open it up.
  • On your keyboard (physically), press Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

Some keyboard shortcuts you can use on your remote desktop are-

  • Alt+Page Up instead of Alt+Tab for switching between the running apps.
  • Ctrl+Alt+End instead of Ctrl+Shift+Esc for opening the task manager.
  • Alt+Home for the Start menu.
  • Ctrl+Alt+(+ Key)/(- Key) for taking a screenshot of the entire remote desktop window.

Method 3: Manually Change The Password

Instead of using Ctrl+Alt+Delete for opening the Task Manager, you can right-click on the taskbar and open Task Manager.

To manually change the password on the remote desktop, go to Control Panel/User Account/Change Windows Password.

Alternatively, you can change it by going to Start and Changing the password for Windows 7, 8, 10, 2008, 2012, 2016, and Vista.

What To Do If Ctrl+Alt+Delete Is Not Working?

In case the Ctrl+Alt+Delete does not work, you can try these solutions, which are ordered in the series of most effective ones first.

  • Check Your Antivirus Software- ESET

There were reports that ESET NOD had a feature causing the system not to be recognized.

The antivirus was handling the signal itself instead of passing it along. HIPS or Host Based Intrusion Prevention was the culprit, so we will disable HIPS and check for enabling the command.

  • Launch ESET and find Setup on the left navigation pane.
  • Uncheck the Host Intrusion Prevention System (HIPS).
  • Restart the PC and check if your problem is solved.

If it still doesn’t work, disable the antivirus temporarily to check.

  • Check For Malicious Programs

It might be likely that a malicious program is causing this problem if it is not the antivirus. These programs spy on you, attack the data and intercept signals sent to the OS.

Make sure to scan your computer for programs like these with a robust antivirus and check for any program that might send your data to a third party, such as a keylogger. 

Only continue with the other steps given after you are sure there is no such program on your computer.

  • Check Your Keyboard

Before moving on to the technical solutions, it is worth checking the keyboard for issues. If it is a Bluetooth keyboard, ensure it is correctly connected to the computer. Also, make sure that all the keys are working.

The keyboard connection can be reset by plugging out the computer, switching it off, and taking out the power cable.

Before switching it back on, once the computer is back on, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to check if it works now.

If it doesn’t, reinstall your keyboard drivers.

  • Press the Windows+R key on your keyboard, type ‘devmgmt.gsc’, and hit Enter.
  • Expand Keyboards, right-click on Keyboard, and choose Update Driver.
  • You can now either update it automatically or manually. Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the individual drivers manually.
  • Restart your computer and check.
  • Perform A System Restore

You can perform a system restore if the above methods don’t work. Perform it after backing up your data, as it will roll back all the changes made on the computer to the last working version of Windows.

  • Press the Windows+S key to open the Search bar, type “restore,” and open the first search result.
  • Find System Restore under the System Protection tab.
  • You will now be prompted through a wizard to automatically restore the PC to a recommended version or select one manually. Press next and proceed.
  • Select the desired restore point from the options given; all system restore points will be listed here.
  • For one last time, the system will confirm your actions. Save all your data and back up your files before proceeding with the process.
  • Make Changes To The Registry

The Windows Registry has an option to enable or disable the task manager. It is possible that maybe some program or even you have made changes causing the task manager not to open. This solution is for people who can’t open the task manager, but Ctrl+Alt+Delete is working fine.

  • Press the Windows+R key, type ‘Regedit’ in the search box, and enter.
  • Navigate to this key in the editor.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

  • You can create a key manually if it is not present by going to this path and creating a key.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

  • Go to New.
  • Find the Key.
  • Name the key as a system.
  • Select the Key just made.
  • If the value is ‘DisableTaskMgr,’ open its properties by double-clicking. If it isn’t, you have to create a new DWORD 32-bit value and name the DWORD accordingly.
  • Select the value and enter 0.
  • Restart your PC and access the task manager now.

Some Other Information On Ctrl+Alt+Delete

You can also use this keyboard shortcut for these things.  

  • It can log out in some Linux-based operating systems such as Ubuntu and Debian. You can also use it to start a Linux server before logging in beforehand.
  • You can send the Ctrl+Alt+Delete command to a remote computer via an application.
  • Windows will automatically assume you want to use it on your local computer. You can do it using apps like VMware applications and other virtual desktop software.
  • You can use this key combination to modify options in Window Security and lock some options or hide Task Manager. 
  • Other applications on your computer may use this keystroke for different purposes, so something else may open up.
  • This combination is not available on Mac; if you do Control+Option+Delete, it will show This is not DOS. You can bring the Force Quit option by using Command+Option+Esc.
  • In Xfce, Ctrl+Alt+Delete will lock the screen and give a screensaver.

Conclusion

So, here you go. There are thus many uses of Ctrl+Alt+Delete on every computer. Ctrl+Alt+Delete in Remote Desktop is likewise a boon for those working remotely. Be it Linux, Windows, or macOS, you can use this command on all types of OS. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Do You Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete In Remote Desktop?

Ans: You can also access a desktop remotely using Chrome Remote Desktop though you will need Google Chrome to run it. With CRD, we can even send Ctrl+Alt+Delete from anywhere.
Install Chrome Remote Desktop on the controlling PC and the target computer.
Launch CRD on the controlling computer.
Select continue on prompts to authorize it.
Find Enable Remote Connections under My Computers from getting Started.
Input a pin for the desktop computer.
Install Chrome Remote Host Service.
Now, access the target desktop through Google Chrome by selecting it.
Enter the pin to start operating the remote PC.
Open a menu from the top of the screen and select Send Keys.
From the drop-down, select Ctrl-Alt-Del.
This method will work with Android smartphones as well. The setup phase will be different, but the desktop can be accessed anywhere.
Using the CRD will reduce the resolution and processing speed, but Chrome and Google work together. A remote connection can easily be set to any computer needed.

How Can I Access The Task Manager On A Remote Desktop?

The Ctrl+Alt+Delete will open up the Task Manager on the local computer, so Ctrl+Shift+Esc is the key combination to open up the Task Manager on a remote desktop.

How Do You Alt+Del In A Remote Desktop Session?

Ans: To Alt-Del in a Remote Desktop session, follow these steps. 
Select Start on the remote desktop.
Type OSK to open the on-screen keyboard.
Along with Ctrl+Alt on the physical keyboard, select Delete on the virtual keyboard.

Can You Disable Ctrl+Alt+Delete In Remote Desktop?

This shortcut can be disabled using the Windows Registry and Task Manager. However, it is best kept enabled.