Oracle VirtualBox keyboard shortcuts
VirtualBox reserves a host key to release keyboard and mouse ownership from a virtual machine and to send special combinations to the guest. This reference keeps host-key actions separate from guest shortcuts, because the guest operating system still owns its own normal keymap.
Windows, macOS, Linux · 7 shortcutsHost key and ownership
Use the host key to return keyboard or mouse ownership to the host operating system while a virtual machine is focused.
| Action | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release keyboard and mouse from the guestThe host key can be changed in VirtualBox Preferences, so treat these as the documented defaults. | Right Ctrl | Left Cmd | Right Ctrl |
Send special combinations to the guest
Prefix a special guest command with the host key when VirtualBox must translate it instead of sending it to the host.
| Action | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to the guest | Right CtrlDelete | Left CmdDelete | Right CtrlDelete |
| Send Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to the guestUseful for restarting the graphical interface of a Linux or Oracle Solaris guest. | Right CtrlBackspace | Left CmdBackspace | Right CtrlBackspace |
| Send Ctrl+Alt+F1 through F12 to the guestChoose the function key for the guest virtual terminal you want to reach. | Right CtrlF1-F12 | Left CmdF1-F12 | Right CtrlF1-F12 |
| Insert the host-key combination in the guest | Right CtrlHost key | Left CmdHost key | Right CtrlHost key |
Input routing
VirtualBox can route common combinations such as Alt+Tab to the host or guest, and the choice depends on input settings and focus.
| Action | Windows | macOS | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route Alt+Tab to the host or guestVirtualBox lets you configure whether this combination affects the host or guest under Preferences > Input. | AltTab | OptionTab | AltTab |
| Route Ctrl+Alt+Delete according to host and guest rulesSome host operating systems reserve this combination, so it may not be available to the guest without the host-key translation above. | CtrlAltDelete | ControlOptionDelete | CtrlAltDelete |