---
title: "Windows Kiosk mode"
url: "https://help.virtualfrontdesk.com/en/article/windows-kiosk-mode"
language: "en"
last_updated: "2026-10-14T14:52:40.200Z"
---

# Windows Kiosk mode

## **Windows Kiosk Mode**

*Run your Virtual Front Desk station full screen on a Windows touch-screen computer, with Chrome’s kiosk mode.*

Chrome’s kiosk mode opens your station in full screen, without the address bar, tabs or menus, so visitors cannot browse away from it. Follow these steps on the Windows computer you use as a station.

**Important:** do not use Windows’ built-in kiosk feature (Assigned Access). It clears the browser data, so the station would ask for a new connection code after each restart. Use Chrome’s kiosk mode as described below.

## **Step 1: Prepare the station in Chrome**

1.  Download and install **Google Chrome**, if it is not already installed.
2.  Open Chrome and go to your station address: **station.virtualfrontdesk.com** in the United States (or station.virtualfrontdesk.ca, .global or .asia for your region).
3.  Enter the station’s **connection code** from your dashboard.
4.  When Chrome asks for permission to use the **camera** and **microphone**, click **Allow**.

Do this first in regular Chrome: the kiosk shortcut uses the same Chrome profile, so it keeps your connection code and permissions.

## **Step 2: Create a kiosk shortcut**

1.  Right-click an empty area of the desktop and select **New** > **Shortcut**.
2.  In the location field, paste the following line (replace the address with your region’s station address if needed):

"C:\\Program Files\\Google\\Chrome\\Application\\chrome.exe" --kiosk "https://station.virtualfrontdesk.com"

3.  Click **Next**, name the shortcut (for example, “Virtual Front Desk Kiosk”) and click **Finish**.

If Chrome is installed in a different folder on your computer, right-click your usual Chrome shortcut, select **Properties** and copy the path shown in the **Target** field.

## **Step 3: Start the station automatically (optional)**

To open the station automatically every time the computer starts:

1.  Press **Windows key + R**, type **shell:startup** and press **Enter**.
2.  Copy the kiosk shortcut into the folder that opens.

You can also right-click the shortcut and select **Pin to Start** or **Pin to taskbar** for quick access.

## **Step 4: Make sure the touch keyboard appears**

Visitors need the on-screen keyboard to type their information, for example in a sign-in form.

1.  Open **Settings** > **Time & language** > **Typing** > **Touch keyboard**.
2.  Set **Show the touch keyboard** to **Always** (or **When no keyboard attached**).

## **Step 5: Keep the screen on**

1.  Open **Settings** > **System** > **Power & battery** > **Screen and sleep** (on some computers: **Screen, sleep & hibernate timeouts**).
2.  Set the screen and sleep options **when plugged in** to **Never**.

## **Test kiosk mode**

Double-click the kiosk shortcut. Chrome opens your station in full screen, and visitors cannot leave it easily.

**To exit kiosk mode:** press **Alt + F4**. You can also press **Ctrl + Alt + Delete**, open **Task Manager** and end Chrome.

## **Tips**

-   **Turn off edge swipes.** On a touch screen, swiping in from the edges of the screen opens Windows panels such as widgets and notifications, which lets visitors leave the station. Ask your IT department to turn off edge swipes with the Windows policy **Allow edge swipe** (set to **Disabled**). Also turn off **Three- and four-finger touch gestures** in **Settings** > **Bluetooth & devices** > **Touch**.
-   **Do not leave a physical keyboard connected.** Keyboard shortcuts such as **Alt + F4** or the **Windows key** let anyone close kiosk mode. Visitors should use the touch keyboard only; connect a keyboard only for maintenance.
-   **Restrict the computer for a public area.** For stronger protection, your IT department can use a dedicated Windows user account for the station and manage it with tools such as Microsoft Intune.
-   **Check the camera and microphone.** If calls do not connect, make sure Chrome still allows the camera and microphone. To learn more, read [Troubleshooting Guide, Firewall and Permissions](https://help.virtualfrontdesk.com/en/article/trouble-shooting-guide-firewall-permissions).

## **Need more help?**

Please contact us through the live chat.