Fixed: Remote Desktop Software Alt Tab Not Working [4 Solutions]

Alt-Tab is a Windows keyboard combination that allows users to switch between open applications or windows. Encountering remote desktop software Alt-Tab not working? Don’t worry! This article offers four solutions to this problem.

Carolyn

By Carolyn / Updated on July 12, 2024

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Why is my RDP tab not working?

 

Hello, when I connect to an RDP session with remote desktop software, the normal Windows Alt-Tab functionality (window switching) does not work. My issue is that when I use Alt-Tab to select a window, releasing Alt does not activate the selected window properly. Do you have any ideas? Please help me. Thanks.

- Question from AutoHotkey

https://www.anyviewer.com/screenshot/windows/remote-desktop/rdp-introduction.png

The Alt-Tab combination is a widely used keyboard shortcut for switching between open applications or windows during a remote session. However, users sometimes face the issue where Alt-Tab does not work as expected.

This problem can be caused by various factors, such as abnormal keyboard status or incorrect program settings. Don't worry, this article will help you. You can follow the methods below to resolve the Alt-Tab not working issue.

How to fix Alt-Tab not working [4 solutions]

Remote desktop software allows you to connect to unattended computers and access the screens and files of remote devices from anywhere in the world. However, many users encounter issues where Alt-Tab does not work during a remote control session. If you are experiencing this problem, please read on to try the following four methods to resolve it.

Solution 1. Check That the Keyboard Is Working Properly

Sometimes the problem can be caused by the keyboard itself. If the keyboard is damaged or the connection fails, it can cause Alt-Tab not to work properly. If you are using a Bluetooth keyboard, ensure it is connected correctly. If it is a wired USB keyboard, try unplugging and reconnecting it to ensure it is working properly. If the keyboard is not functioning correctly, try replacing it and see if the issue persists.

Solution 2. Modify Remote Desktop Software Settings

You can also adjust the settings in your remote desktop software to fix this issue. Follow these steps:

Step 1. On your device, launch the remote desktop software and click on the four horizontal lines icon in the top right corner, then select "Settings" to open it.

Step 2. Select "Display" on the left.

Step 3. Locate "Visual Helpers" on the right.

Step 4. Find "Transmit hotkeys," which is enabled by default. Turn it off by unchecking it.

Solution 3. Reinstall Remote Desktop Software

If the above methods do not fix the issue, try reinstalling the software:

Step 1. Hold down the “Win+R” keys to open the Run dialog box. Copy and paste the following uninstall string in the Run box and click “OK”:

"C:\Program Files (x86)\RemoteDesktopSoftware\RemoteDesktopSoftware.exe" --uninstall

Step 2. Follow the instructions to complete the uninstallation.

Step 3. Visit the official website to download the latest version of the software and reinstall it.

Solution 4. Contact Technical Support

If the problem persists after reinstalling the software, contact technical support:

Step 1. On your device, launch the remote desktop software and click on the four horizontal lines icon in the top right corner, then click on "Help."

Step 2. You will be taken to the website; click on "Contact Support."

AnyViewer: The best alternative without keyboard issues

Did the method provided in this article help you to solve the remote desktop software Alt-Tab not working issue? Being plagued by this problem is very irritating and it is highly recommended that you use an alternative to remote desktop software. AnyViewer will be the best choice for you. It is a comprehensive, reliable, and free remote control software.

AnyViewer has a strong technical team to make sure you enjoy a smooth and intuitive keyboard experience, making you feel as if you are sitting in front of the remote computer and operating its keyboard with ease. AnyViewer is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android systems.

In addition to that, AnyViewer offers you other great features such as one-click control, remote unattended access, file transfer, remote sound, real-time text chat, multi-monitor support, and much more.

Enjoy a faster remote connection experience, download and use AnyViewer now.

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Step 1. After installing and starting AnyViewer on both your devices. After choosing "Log in," click "Sign up."

https://www.anyviewer.com/screenshot/anyviewer/log-in-anyviewer.png

Step 2. Fill in the registration form information to create an account.

https://www.anyviewer.com/screenshot/anyviewer/sign-up-for-anyviewer.png

Step 3. Log in to the account you just created on both devices. This will allow your devices to be automatically assigned to your account.

https://www.anyviewer.com/screenshot/anyviewer/free-editions.png

Step 4. On your local computer, go to "Device", find the device you want to control, and then click "One-click control" to achieve unattended remote access.

https://www.anyviewer.com/screenshot/anyviewer/connect-to-my-devices.png

Step 5. After successfully connecting to the remote device, you will find useful shortcuts in the upper toolbar under “Operation”.

https://www.anyviewer.com/screenshot/anyviewer/operation.png

★Tips: For a better experience, you can upgrade your account to a Professional or Enterprise plan:
Connect more devices with one-touch control.
Enjoy access in Privacy Mode.
There is no limit to the number of devices that can be controlled simultaneously by one computer.
Enjoy faster file transfer speeds.
Create groups for corporations to more efficiently handle huge numbers of devices.
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Conclusion

It is very disturbing to encounter remote desktop software Alt-Tab not working. However, this article provides you with four ways to solve this problem. But AnyViewer will be the more worthwhile software for you to explore, which will provide you with a smoother keyboard experience and improve your remote work efficiency.