Allow keeping specific keyboard shortcuts local (do not forward them to host)

[AlanCarrerSYD]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

When using Moonlight as a client on Windows and Sunshine as a host on Linux, all key combinations from the client are forwarded to the remote session. This becomes a problem for shortcuts that should be handled locally by Windows, such as:

• Ctrl + Win + Left Arrow

• Ctrl + Win + Right Arrow

These are normally used to switch virtual desktops on Windows. However, when Moonlight has focus, the shortcut is always sent to the remote machine, so Windows never executes it. Even when exiting capture mode with Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Z, the key combo is forwarded remotely before Windows can act.

Describe the solution you'd like

Add a feature to exclude or keep specific key combinations local — meaning they should not be forwarded to the Sunshine host.

For example:

• A configurable list of keybindings that should be ignored or blocked by the streaming client/host.

• Or a setting like “do not forward OS/system shortcuts” for keys involving Win, Ctrl + Win, etc.

This would allow the user to still interact with Windows (client side) without interrupting the remote session.

Describe alternatives you've considered

• I tried using AutoHotkey on Windows to intercept Ctrl + Win + Arrow before Moonlight, but since Moonlight still captures the input at driver level, Windows does not execute the shortcut.

• I also tried simulating focus changes (Alt + Tab, mouse click, delays) before sending the shortcut locally, but Moonlight still intercepts the combo.

• Remapping keys in Sunshine (keybindings) is not sufficient because it only transforms forwarded keys — it does not prevent them from being sent.

None of these workarounds allow Windows to process the shortcut locally while Moonlight is active.

Additional context

Environment:

• Client: Windows 11 with Moonlight

• Host: Ubuntu with Sunshine

• Input mode: keyboard + mouse capture enabled

This feature would improve usability for desktop workflows where users need to switch virtual desktops or trigger system shortcuts without disconnecting from the stream.

[wh33t]

This would be a great feature. I can't even alt-tab correctly while remote'd into a machine, the alt-tab is sent to my local machine instead of being intercepted by the remote machine. This makes the utility feel very clunky.

[SkySpnc]

i have the opposite problem. my remote machine runs niri, but i cant use the meta + (key) shortcuts to actually navigate the system. everything is instead handled by my local windows machine. moonlight should suppress key inputs like windows' native remote machine system when focused. essentially - when remoted into a machine via moonlight, it should be indistinguishable if it's the local machine other than it being windowed

[cgutman]

@SkySpnc that's already supported with "Capture system keyboard shortcuts" option in the input settings section.