Stuck in a VM – to release the mouse press the host key

So everybody and their mother has a virtualization product now. Too bad all the vendors could not standardize on the same key (or key combinations) that releases the mouse from a virtual machine’s (VM) console window. Until that day happens (don’t hold your breath) this post will be my listing of known host key or key combinations by vendor and product for when your mouse is stuck in a VM.

Please leave a comment on any products I have not included and I’ll update the list.

Updated 10.03.08 – corrected key combination for Mac versions and created separate rows for VMware Fusion and Parallels Workstation

Vendor	Host Key	Products
VMware	Ctrl+Alt (Windows and Linux)	ESX, ESXi, Workstation, Server, Player, Ace
VMware	Ctrl-Cmd (Mac)	Fusion
Microsoft	Right Alt	Virtual Server 2005 R2, Hyper-V, Virtual PC 2007
Citrix	Ctrl+Alt	XenServer
Virtual Iron	Ctrl+Alt	Virtual Iron 4.x
KVM	Right Ctrl	KVM, Qemu
Sun xVM	Right Ctrl	xVM Server, VirtualBox
Parallels	Ctrl+Alt (Windows)	Workstation
Parallels	Ctrl+Option(Alt) (Mac)	Workstation

One of the posts I used as a research reference was Common Virtualization Keyboard Shortcuts from x86virtualization.com. Check out this post for a complete listing all keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft and VMware products besides the one for escaping the mouse from the VM console.

Tags: citrix, esx, linux, microsoft, virtual iron, virtualbox, virtualization, vmware, windows, Xen

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm and is filed under XenServer, esx, how to, hyper-v, microsoft, virtual iron, virtualbox, vmware. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Malaysia VMware

Stupid M$ always make it different from others

Scott Lowe

Only one small correction, Rich: VMware Fusion uses Ctrl-Cmd, which on a Mac is distinct and different than Ctrl-Alt. Macs do have an Alt key, but the Cmd key is unique to Macs.

rbrambley

Thanks for the catch Scott. I have updated the table for Fusion and for th e Mac key combination for Parallels.

Bradford Knowlton

Richard,

Glad you enjoyed my post at x86Virtualization.com. It is something I wrote a long time ago, and really need to go back and update it. I don't think much has changed, but there are a few new products out there which I should add.

Bradford Knowlton
http://x86virtualization.com/

rbrambley

Bradford,

Please let me know if you update or write a new post with new product keyboard shortcuts and I\'ll definitely make sure the VM /ETC readers know about it! Thanks for proving a great single point of reference.