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I need to change the local admin password on a remote PC using a Remote Desktop Connection. I would normally do this by pressing ctrl+alt+del and selecting the change password option. But I can't send ctrl+alt+del using Remote Desktop since this "special" key series is always handled by the local client. How can I send ctrl+alt+del using Remote Desktop?

Note: This question is not about how to change the password. I am aware of other ways to change the password. I am specifically asking how to send ctrl+alt+del - not how to change the password without sending those characters.

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8 Answers

up vote 17 down vote accepted

CTRL-ALT-END is the prescribed way to do this.

Coding Horror has some other shortcuts.

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up vote 6 down vote

In newer versions of windows there is a link to "Windows Security" in the start menu that will get you to the same place.

Never tried ctl+alt+end - very sweet I'll have to stick that in the storage space with ctl+alt+ins for vmware :) I personally avoid using the mouse as much as possible - weird for a windows admin right?

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Thanks -- this is just what I needed. Ctrl+Alt+End didn't work from my laptop (the End key is only available on the numeric keypad). – swref Mar 8 '12 at 12:05
Mouse avoidance isn't necessarily "weird" for a Windows admin? I personally got my start in computers back in the DOS days and, even I moved up to Windows 3.11, often found myself in GUI interfaces while I didn't have a mouse or the mouse was malfunctioning. You learn keyboard shortcuts real quick in those scenarios. – Iszi Jun 20 '12 at 13:55
+1 This also works when remoting from another remote session. Ctrl+End only applies to the "outer" session. – Anders Abel Aug 13 '12 at 14:08
This. Exactly for the same reason as @AndersAbel – Chris Marisic Feb 6 at 15:58
up vote 6 down vote

In the RD help it says you must use CTRL + ALT + END, so that is the correct, official way.

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4  
+1 for R'ing TFM. – mh01 Aug 21 '09 at 18:25
+1 from me for the same reason. I actually did search the help for this answer, but did not find it. – T. Marshall Aug 21 '09 at 19:15
up vote 1 down vote

Just as I was posting the question, it occurred to me to try ctrl+alt+END instead. It worked in this case, but I don't know that it works in every case, so I will post the question for further enlightenment and for others to find.

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up vote 1 down vote

Control - Alt - Insert or End can work but for visual clients like Windows RDP there is a Send CTRL-ALT-DEL button typically within the GUI.

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The built-in RDP client (mstsc.exe) has no option to send special combos. VNC clients typically do, but that's a whole different kettle of fish. – ThatGraemeGuy Aug 21 '09 at 18:04
up vote 0 down vote

If you just want to bring up Task Manager, you can get to it by right-clicking on the taskbar and chosing "Task Manager".

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Thank you, but the question is, how to send ctrl+alt+del. It has nothing to do with task manager. – T. Marshall Aug 21 '09 at 18:24
np. I assumed this was the case anyway. Ty for clarifying original question. – RJFalconer Aug 25 '09 at 0:47
up vote 0 down vote

WHat if you're logged into through two mstsc/remote desktop connections? Ctl-alt-end is picked up by the first login, but I want it to go to the second. That is I mstsc to machine A, and from there mstsc to machine B. clt-alt-end send ctl-alt-del to A. both A and B windows are maximized.

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As this is a new question, just ask it as a separate question. :-) – sleske Jun 7 '10 at 23:22
up vote 0 down vote

One option is to use the on-screen keyboard from within the first RDP session.

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