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How do I type Ctrl+Alt+Del on a Windows client?

Updated

Written for Synergy 3 (v3.7.2) and Synergy 1 (v1.21.4), checked 3 October 2026.

To send Ctrl+Alt+Del to a Windows client, first allow software to send it on that client (once, below), then press the key combination for your server:

  • Windows server: press Ctrl+Alt+Pause (or Ctrl+Alt+Break). Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del on a Windows server always goes to the server itself.
  • Linux server: press Ctrl+Alt+Pause (or Ctrl+Alt+Break), or Ctrl+Alt+Del.
  • Mac server: press Ctrl+Alt+Del.

Allow Ctrl+Alt+Del on the Windows client

Windows treats Ctrl+Alt+Del as a protected key sequence (the Secure Attention Sequence) used for signing in and out, switching users, locking the computer, changing passwords and opening Task Manager. Software can only send it when a Windows policy allows it, and Synergy 1 and Synergy 3 don't set that policy for you. Use either method below on each Windows client.

Note - If you have a home edition of Windows, the Group Policy Editor might not be available, so use the PowerShell method.

Method 1 - Run PowerShell command (Recommended)

  1. Go to the Start menu (or search bar) and type "PowerShell", and the PowerShell app will appear
  2. Select the option to "Run as Administrator"
  3. Enter the following command and press Enter: 
    Set-ItemProperty -Path HKLM:Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System -Name SoftwareSASGeneration -Value 1
  4. Restart your computer

This PowerShell command enables software Secure Attention Sequence for services, which can also be done using the method below.

Method 2 - Group Policy Editor

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box
  2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter
  3. Go to Computer Configuration, then Administrative Templates, then Windows Components, then Windows Logon Options
  4. Double-click Disable or enable software Secure Attention Sequence
  5. Click Enabled
  6. In the Options drop-down menu, select Services
  7. Click OK
  8. Restart your Windows client computer

Keep Synergy 1 or Synergy 3 running as a service on the client

Ctrl+Alt+Del is sent by the Synergy 1 or Synergy 3 background service on the Windows client, so it only works when the app runs with system rights there (the default). In Synergy 3, check that Run as system to allow UAC interaction is switched on under Advanced, Miscellaneous. For more, see: How to make Synergy work with UAC prompts

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