Short Version
Make sure the Terminal Services service is started on your local computer.
Long Version
After rebuilding my system post-crash, Alt-Tab no longer worked when I was remoted into my work computer using Remote Desktop Connection (mstsc.exe). At first I thought it was because I’d update to Windows XP SP3. I tried to edit the properties of the .rdp file that I was using, ensuring that the Local Resources tab’s Keyboard settings (Apply Windows key combinations (for example ALT+TAB)) were set correctly (I tried both In full screen mode only and On the remote computer).
I finally found the solution buried in a forums.microsoft.com post (anyone else notice that these pages, as found by Google, seem to have issues loading?). I had to look through Google’s cached version of the page. I’m reproducing it here in case anyone else has the problem.
- Make sure you’re running as an Administrator
- Start | Run | services.msc
- Select the
Terminal Servicesservice. - Right-click | properties
- Set Startup type to Automatic. Click the Start button if necessary.
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thanks! This solved a very annoying problem. Your post here is the only solution I found!
Many thanks too, this was a hair-puller. Simply starting Terminal Services on the local computer was the answer! Strange issue, thanks very much for posting the solution!!
Very Helpful! Thank!
I clicked the ad. three times!
Thank you very much!!!
I have already abandoned hope to solve the problem (I’m not sure whether this can be said so in English)
Oh thank you soooooo much. I didn’t think that could be the problem but it fixed it. I have to lock down all my machines according to DISA.MIL security, so the old MSTSC client will not work due to high security connections required.
Stating the terminal services service corrected the issue. This has been bugging me for 6 months! Thanks.
OMG, yes, you’re awesome!
I have been going NUTS trying to google search how to correct this problem as I use alt+tab on my terminal session extensively when I’m on the road working. I have spent hours trying to find a work around. THANK YOU for posting this, its finally fixed!!
Thats very poor resolution if windows terminal services is not highlighted to “Start” “Stop” then what will be next ?
I also found, that Atl-Tab stopped working as usual after applying SP3.
Thank you for solution!
For those, who don’t want (or can’t) start Terminal Services, I suggest using Alt-PgUp and Alt-PgDn.
Thank you so much – keyboard support on my Windows XP Remote Desktop sessions appeared randomly – sometimes the Alt-TAB and the Windows Key were active on the local computer, while they were inactive on the remote computer.
Just to help google find the post:
Windows key not working on remote desktop. Random behavior. Remote desktop keyboard support.
Very Very helpful…………………………………….
Thanks a ton
super