How to Ctrl + Alt + Del in Remote Desktop on Windows

Quick Tips

• To press Ctrl + Alt + Del on a Windows remote desktop, you need to use Ctrl + Alt + End on your physical keyboard.
• If you are using an on-screen keyboard, you can press Ctrl + Alt on the physical keyboard, and then press Del on the virtual keyboard.
• Ctrl + Alt + Del is handled locally, whereas Ctrl + Alt + End is intercepted by the Remote Desktop client to mimic Ctrl + Alt + Del on the remote computer.

Method 1: Use Ctrl + Alt + End on the Keyboard

It’s simple – you can use the Ctrl + Alt + End on your Windows Remote Desktop session instead of Ctrl + Alt+ Del.

If you have trouble finding this key, you can find it usually next to the right of the Enter key. If you’re using a small keyboard on a laptop, you may have to hold down a function key to utilize it

Also Read: How to fix remote desktop copy-paste not working on Windows

Why Doesn’t Ctrl + Alt + Del Work on the Physical Keyboard for RDP?

When you press Ctrl+ Alt + Del on your local computer, it is interpreted by the local Windows operating system, and the system security options are displayed on your local screen. It does not get passed through to the remote computer when you are in a Remote Desktop session because it is handled by your local OS.

Whereas, when you press Ctrl + Alt + End in a Remote Desktop session, it’s intercepted by the Remote Desktop client software running on your local computer. The RDP client then sends a special key combination to the remote computer you are connected to, mimicking Ctrl + Alt + Del.

If you have trouble accessing the physical keyboard or don’t find the End key, here’s an alternative method.

Method 2: Use the On-Screen Keyboard for Ctrl + Alt + Del

By accessing the on-screen keyboard within the Remote Desktop session, you can type commands directly on the remote machine without relying on your local keyboard.

Step 1: Search for On-Screen Keyboard in the Start menu and open the search result.

Step 2: Now, press and hold Ctrl + Alt on your physical keyboard and click on the Del key in the on-screen keyboard.