Change the Host Key in VirtualBox

Useful if your laptop doesn’t have a Right Ctrl key

If you want to use any of the shortcut keystrokes in VirtualBox, you must use theHostkey in combination with another key. By default, theHostkey is theRight Ctrlkey on the keyboard.

There may be some keyboards, like laptop keyboards, that do not have aRight Ctrlkey. If you are in this situation, or you would just rather use a different key as yourHostkey, this post describes how to change which key on the keyboard is used as theHostkey.

Change Host Key in VirtualBox

To change theHostkey, open VirtualBox. SelectPreferencesfrom theFilemenu.

TheSettingsdialog box displays. Click theInputoption in the left pane. On theInputscreen, click the box next toHostKey. Type the new desired key.

NOTE:Alphanumeric, cursor movement, and editing keys cannot be used as theHost Key.

The new key displays in the box next toHost Key. ClickOK.

TheHostkey is displayed in the lower, right corner of theVirtualBoxstatus bar, in case you forget what key you chose as yourHostkey.

On theInputscreen you can also choose to automatically capture the keyboard when you open a virtual machine. To do this, select theAuto Capture Keyboardcheck box. This means all keystrokes are directed to the virtual machine until you press theHostkey to return control of the mouse and keyboard to the host machine.

Also, make sure to check out my other posts on VirtualBox like how toinstall Ubuntu in VirtualBox, how toshare folders between guest and host, and how tohide the menu and status toolbars in VirtualBox. Enjoy!

Founder of Help Desk Geek and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications.Read Aseem’s Full Bio

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Change the Host Key in VirtualBox#

Change Host Key in VirtualBox#

Change the Host Key in VirtualBox

Change Host Key in VirtualBox