TeamViewer allows users to make cross-platform connections - There is one operating system locally and a different operating system on the remote computer.

Working cross-platform comes with some challenges for the supporter as the remote device might not understand all local key commands due to the different operating systems.

This article applies to TeamViewer users working cross-platform.

How to enable the Send key combinations feature

To enable Send key combinations feature, please follow the instructions below:

  1. Open TeamViewer (Classic).
  2. Access the TeamViewer (Classic) options (⚙) in the upper right corner of the TeamViewer (Classic) app.
  3. Go to the Remote control tab, and check the Send key combinations box.
  4. Click OK to save the settings.

📌Note: This can also be activated for individual TeamViewer (Classic) connections via the Remote Session Toolbar. It is found in the Actions menu.

How to send key combinations from Windows → macOS

The Windows keyboard behaves slightly differently in a remote connection to a macOS device. The below screenshot highlights the function keys on a Windows keyboard:

Generally speaking, the following rules apply in connections from Windows to macOS:

  • the Windows  key acts as the command key on macOS
  • the Ctrl key acts as the control key on macOS
  • the Alt key acts as the optionkey on macOS
  • the backspace key acts as the delete key on macOS
  • the shift key acts in the same manner on both OS
  • the caps lock key acts in the same manner on both OS

Below you will find the most common key combinations and how to send them from a Windows device to a macOS device.

Quit Program

Win + q

Close Window/file

Win + w

Open Preferences

Win + ,

Spotlight Search

Win + Space

Zoom in

Win + +

Zoom out

Win + -

Select all

Win + a

Copy

Win+ c

Cut

Win + x

Paste

Win + v

Delete

  • Deleting backward:

Backspace key

  • Deleting forward:

Delete key

Bold

Win + b

Italic

Win + i

Save as..

Win + s

Search

Win + f

Print

Win + p

How to send key combinations from macOS → Windows

The Mac keyboard behaves slightly differently in a remote connection to a Windows device. The screenshot below highlights the function keys on a macOS keyboard:

In connections from macOS to Windows, the following rules apply:

  • the command key acts as the Windows key
  • the control key acts as the Ctrl key
  • the option key acts as the Alt key
  • the delete key acts as the backspace key
  • the shift key acts in the same manner on both OS
  • the caps lock key acts in the same manner on both OS

Below you will find the most common key combinations and how to send them from a macOS device to a Windows device.

Send Ctrl + Alt + Del

TeamViewer offers an option to automatically send the Ctrl + Alt + Del command to the remote Windows device. This can be found in the Remote Session Toolbar in the Actions menu:

Open the Start menu

command

Open Programs from the taskbar

The number equals the position the program has on the taskbar (view from left to right)

command + 1

command + 2

command + 3

command + 0 (0 equals 10)

Open magnifier

command + +

Copy

control + c

Cut

control + x

Paste

control + v

Delete

Deleting backward:

delete key

Deleting forward:

fn + delete

Bold

control + b

Italic

control + i

Save as...

control + s

Search

control + f

Print

control + p

Emojis

command + . (period or dot key)

Show Desktop

command + ,

Special characters

«

option + q

option + w

ø

option + o

π

option + p

option + x