How can I toggle Full Screen mode in Remote Desktop without a Break key?

Question

My small laptop has a small keyboard, which lacks a Pause/Break key. Ctrl-Alt-Break toggles Full Screen mode in Windows Remote Desktop. Without a Break key, how can I enter Full Screen mode?

I know I can exit fullscreen mode with the mouse.

Maximizing the window doesn't help.

This matters more on small laptops because the screens are small (so you need all the real estate you can get) and because the keyboard lacks dedicated PgUp/PgDn and other dedicated keys (so I can't easily use the RDP alternatives like Alt-PgUp).

score 22 · Answer 1 · edited Oct 12 '12 at 14:03

22

I have a Lenovo E430 and was struggling with this very issue. None of the answers here worked for me because Fn+Insert does not equal Break on this keyboard. Fn+B is the shortcut.

As such, pressing Ctrl + Alt + Fn + B maximizes the RDC window.

Source

edited Oct 12 '12 at 14:03

Dave

25,513

answered Oct 12 '12 at 13:53

donmanguno

221

Hobo Spider · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-05T22:32:01.257

This is a known issue with systems running Windows 7 / Server 2008 R2 whose resolution is set at 1366×768. Microsoft has created a hotfix which you can read about / request here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2582172

If you're lazy or don't want to give MS your email, you can just download it from here. Just know that by doing so Microsoft will have no way of notifying you if there is a recall on the fix.

score 8 · Answer 3 · edited Oct 06 '15 at 16:47

8

Some alternatives for laptops where you do not find Break key:

On a Dell Latitude 6420 and others, press Ctrl + Fn + Alt + Insert

On an HP Envy, press Ctrl + Fn + Alt + pause

On HP Probook 4440s and others, press Ctrl+Alt+Fn+PageDown. This is equivalent to Ctrl+Alt+Break.

On Lenovo E430, press Ctrl + Alt + Fn + B. Hold Ctrl+Alt first, then press Fn+B.

edited Oct 06 '15 at 16:47

moodboom

745

answered Oct 08 '12 at 08:43

Charmy Vora

91

score 4 · Answer 4 · edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

4

I used AutoHotKey as recommended in this question to map CapsLock to break using this binding: CapsLock::CtrlBreak

AutoHotKey needs to be running for the binding to hold. It is not a simple registry change that can be done with most other keys.

edited Mar 20 '17 at 10:17

Community

1

answered Dec 15 '11 at 21:44

sean e

2,851

score 3 · Answer 5 · edited Aug 14 '14 at 14:49

3

In HP laptops you have to press Ctrl+Alt+Fn+PageDown. This is equivalent to Ctrl+Alt+Break.

Its working with HP Probook series. I am using HP Probook 4440s

Remote Desktop Services Shortcut Keys

edited Aug 14 '14 at 14:49

Linger

3,332
10
38
47

answered Feb 23 '14 at 23:23

Arul

514

score 2 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 30 '11 at 21:59

Ideally you could find a configuration option for mstsc.exe that lets you change that setting.. Or possibly a reg edit.

If you have some key you don't really use, you could remap it to function as a break key. You can use any of a large number of windows programs to remap keyboard keys. This article discusses 3 such applications.

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Nov 21 '11 at 05:27

If you're in full screen mode and you minimize, and then restore, it comes back in full-screen mode. So I've learned to always minimize, and not de-maximize from the panel that slides down at the top of the RDP screen.

I also made it easy to reconnect if I lose my full-screen state. First, I RDP to each machine and save credentials. (Only do this if you're on a secure machine). Second, I create a small batch file that looks like this:

start mstsc /v:%~n0 /f

I name the batch file after the computer I want to connect to. I put this in an easy-to-reach location (I have a dedicated toolbar on my task bar). Now, when I loose my fullscreen state, I just rerun this batch file and a few seconds later I'm back in full screen.

score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Jun 04 '12 at 00:34

Other have addressed the symptom, but to address the underlying question/issue, are you absolutely certain that your laptop does not have a Break key? Even netbooks usually have one; if it doesn’t get its own key, it usually shares one with Insert.

Perhaps it is simply not printed on the key (particularly common with after-market/replacement/generic keyboards).

You did not mention the make/model of the laptop, but check the manual/docs to see if you have to do anything special to signal that key such as pressing Ctrl+Fn+F11.

Unless the manufacturer is really trying to cut costs, it is usually included because as sean mentioned, Break is a special key. It is similar to how Ctrl+Alt+Delete is/was specially handled by the keyboard controller at a hardware level (a direct line to the reset pin on the CPU).

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Mar 26 '13 at 09:28

0

Check that F Lock isn't/is turned on. My break key doesn't work unless F Lock is turned off.

(P.S. I hope the person who invented F Lock got their just desserts)

answered Mar 26 '13 at 09:28

Matthew Lock

4,757

How can I toggle Full Screen mode in Remote Desktop without a Break key?

9 Answers9