RDS/CTX Shortcut Keys list

A handy list to keep closeby is the shortcurt key list for Remote Desktop Connections and Citrix Sessions. So just to make sure I know where to find it, I’m posting the list on my site.

This post offers a list of shortcut keys that are available for RDS and CTX sessions.

The CTX/RDS shortkey list

A list of common shortkeys that can be used within a Citrix or Remote Desktop Connection and there counterparts in a Windows desktop environment.

* Windows Remote Desktop Client Shortcut Keys:

 
The following key combinations are known:

• CTRL+ALT+END: Opens the Windows Security dialog box. (similar to the CTRL+ALT+DEL).
• CTRL+ALT+BREAK: Toggles the RDS client display from Window to Full Screen.
• ALT+INSERT: Cycles through running programs on the remote computer (similar to ALT+ESC).
• ALT+HOME: Displays the remote computer’s Start Menu (similar to CTRL+ESC).
• ALT+DELETE: Displays the remote window’s Control Menu (similar to ALT+SPACEBAR).
• ALT+PAGE UP: Switches between programs from left to right (similar to ALT+TAB).
• ALT+PAGE DOWN: Switches between programs from right to left (similar to ALT+SHIFT+TAB).
• CTRL+ALT+NUMPAD MINUS: Places an image of the active window onto the RDS Clipboard (similar to ALT+PRINT SCREEN).
• CTR+ALT+NUMPAD PLUS: Places and image of the entire RDS client on the RDS Clipboard (similar to PRINT SCREEN).

On a NEC98, CTRL+ALT+BREAK is replaced by F12 and CTRL+ALT+END is replaced by F15.
 

* Citrix Receiver Client Shortcut Keys:

 
The following key combinations are known:

• SHIFT+F1: Displays the Windows Task List.
• SHIFT+F2: Displays or Hides the Windows Title Bar for the Citrix Receiver Client window.
• SHIFT+F3: Disconnects the ICA session and exits the Citrix Receiver.
• CTRL+F1: Opens the Windows Security dialog box (similar to CTRL+ALT+DEL).
• CTRL+F2: Displays the remote computer’s Start Menu (similar to CTRL+ESC).
• CTRL+F3: Displays the Windows Task Manager (similar to CTRL+SHIFT+ESC).
• ALT+F2: Cycles through running programs in the Citrix session (similar to ALT+ESC).
• ALT+PLUS: Switches between programs from left to right (similar to ALT+TAB).
• ALT+MINUS: Switches between programs from right to left (similar to ALT+SHIFT+TAB).

On clients that are running Windows 98, Windows 95, or Windows Me, when the CTRL+ALT+NUM LOCK keys are pressed while the Terminal Services client window is active, the number lock status changes inside of that Terminal Services session.
 

Esther Barthel

Solutions Architect at cognition IT

Esther has been working in different roles and functions as an IT consultant ever since she finished her Masters degree in Computer Science in 1997. She has worked as a web developer, database administrator, and server administrator until she discovered how Server-Based Computing ( SBC ) combined servers, desktops, and user experience in one solution. Esther has been specializing in virtualization solutions such as SBC, VDI, application, and server virtualization for over eight years now and is currently working as a Senior Consultant at PepperByte, where she designs and implements Citrix® solutions for both small-business and large-enterprise infrastructures scaling from 100 to 15,000 users.
In january 2014 her first book Citrix XenApp 6.5 Expert Cookbook was published by Packt Publishing.

Esther is awarded as a Citrix Technology Professional (CTP) from 2015 - 2017.
Esther is awarded as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in 2017.

Esther is a Citrix Certified Expert – Virtualization (CCE-V), Citrix Certified Professional – Mobility (CCP-M), Citrix Certified Professional – Networking (CCP-N) and RES Software Certified Professional (RCP).