Send system shortcuts to the remote computer¶
Windows Shortcuts (Jump Desktop for Windows) and macOS Shortcuts (Jump Desktop for Mac) send the keyboard input Jump Desktop receives to the remote computer, including system shortcuts like Alt+Tab, the Windows key, Cmd+Tab, and Spotlight. When they're off, your own computer keeps those shortcuts.
For example:
- Work full screen on an office PC and switch its apps with Alt+Tab, or open its Start menu with the Windows key.
- Use Cmd+Tab, Spotlight, and Mission Control on a remote Mac from your MacBook.
By default, Jump Desktop for Windows turns Windows Shortcuts on in full screen, and Jump Desktop for Mac turns macOS Shortcuts on when you connect to a Mac. See Set the default.
Applies to¶
- Jump Desktop on Windows and macOS.
- Windows and Mac remote computers.
- Jump Desktop on iPhone, iPad, and Android has no such toggle. For hardware keyboards there, see Use the keyboard.
Turn it on or off during a session¶
Choose Remote > Windows Shortcuts, or press Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow, which also works in full screen.
A message shows Windows Shortcuts Enabled or Windows Shortcuts Disabled, and the menu item is checked while it's on.
Choose Remote > macOS Shortcuts, or press Ctrl+Cmd+Left Arrow.
A message shows macOS Shortcuts Enabled or macOS Shortcuts Disabled, and the menu item is checked while it's on. It works in a window and in full screen.
The toggle's keyboard shortcut keeps working while the toggle is on, unless you've turned it off in your profile. The Remote menu item always works.
What goes to the remote computer¶
While the toggle is on and the session window is focused, all keyboard input goes to the remote computer, including system shortcuts. The exceptions:
- Jump Desktop shortcuts still run in Jump Desktop, for example Ctrl+Alt+F11 (full screen) in Jump Desktop for Windows or Ctrl+Shift+Cmd+W (disconnect) in Jump Desktop for Mac. To send one to the remote computer, turn it off in your profile; Ctrl+Alt+W (disconnect) in Jump Desktop for Windows can't be turned off. See Jump Desktop shortcuts.
- Ctrl+Alt+Delete (Windows) is always handled by your own PC. To send it, press Ctrl+Alt+End (a default key conversion when connected to Windows) or choose Remote > Send via Keyboard > Ctrl-Alt-Del.
- Click in the session first (macOS). If you return to the session window without clicking in it, for example with Cmd+Tab, click in the remote screen before using system shortcuts.
When another window is active, your own computer gets its system shortcuts back.
Everything else still passes through your profile's key conversions.
When it's off¶
These stay on your PC:
- The Windows key, and shortcuts that use it, such as Win+D or Win+R.
- Alt+Tab and Alt+Shift+Tab.
- Ctrl+Alt+Delete.
Most other key combinations, such as Ctrl+Esc and app shortcuts, still go to the remote computer.
System shortcuts, such as Cmd+Tab and Spotlight, stay on your Mac.
When connected to a Mac, the default Mac profile gives you other keys for the most common ones:
| Press | Remote Mac receives |
|---|---|
| Option+Tab | Cmd+Tab (switch apps) |
| Ctrl+Option+Left Arrow or Right Arrow | Ctrl+Left Arrow or Right Arrow (switch Spaces) |
| Ctrl+Cmd+Space | Cmd+Space (Spotlight) |
This toggle doesn't affect app shortcuts such as Cmd+Q, Cmd+W, and Cmd+H. Whether they reach the remote computer depends on the Jump Desktop shortcuts in your profile.
Get your shortcuts back¶
In Jump Desktop for Windows, do any of these:
- Press Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow, or choose Remote > Windows Shortcuts.
- Click another window.
- With the default In Fullscreen setting, leave full screen (Ctrl+Alt+F11).
In Jump Desktop for Mac, do any of these:
- Press Ctrl+Cmd+Left Arrow, or choose Remote > macOS Shortcuts.
- Click a window in another app, or another Jump Desktop window.
Set the default¶
The starting state comes from the profile the computer uses. Open profile settings (File > Settings > Keyboard & Mouse on Windows, or press Cmd+, and click Keyboard & Mouse on a Mac), choose the profile in When connecting to, then click the Keyboard Shortcuts tab.
Set Send Windows Shortcuts:
| Value | Effect |
|---|---|
| Don't Send | Off when you connect. You can still turn it on from the Remote menu. |
| On Connect | On as soon as the remote screen appears, in a window or full screen. |
| In Fullscreen (default) | On when you enter full screen, off when you leave it. Entering or leaving full screen overrides a manual change. |
In Fullscreen is the default in both built-in profiles, Windows and macOS, and in new profiles.
Select Send macOS Shortcuts to turn macOS Shortcuts on when you connect.
| Profile | Default |
|---|---|
| Mac (used for Mac computers) | On |
| Windows (used for all other computers) | Off |
| New empty profile | Off |
To use a different default for one computer, give it its own profile. See Choose the profile a computer uses.
To check the setting, connect and open the Remote menu: Windows Shortcuts or macOS Shortcuts is checked when it's on. On Windows with In Fullscreen, check while in full screen.
Lock screen and log out shortcuts on a Mac¶
Ctrl+Cmd+Q (Lock Screen) and Shift+Cmd+Q (Log Out) belong to the Apple menu, not to macOS Shortcuts. Jump Desktop for Mac turns off the Apple menu during remote sessions so these shortcuts go to the remote computer. The setting is Turn off Apple Menu shortcuts in Jump Desktop settings, under General. It's on by default.
Limitations¶
- Windows: Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow toggles Windows Shortcuts, so the Ctrl+Alt+Left Arrow key conversions in both built-in profiles only work after you turn off Toggle Windows Shortcuts. See Keyboard and mouse profiles: Limitations.
- macOS: Jump Desktop doesn't need the Accessibility or Input Monitoring permission for macOS Shortcuts.