VMware Workstation keyboard shortcuts
With VMware Workstation, a Windows or Linux PC can run other operating systems in a window or full screen. Its hot keys grab and release your keyboard and mouse, send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to a guest, switch machines in full screen, and toggle Unity mode.
Windows, Linux · 12 shortcutsHost and guest input
Grab or release keyboard and pointer input and send system combinations directly to the running guest virtual machine.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Grab input from the host | Windows / LinuxCtrl + G |
| Release the cursor from the guest | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt |
| Send Ctrl+Alt+Insert to the guest | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + Insert |
| Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to the guestThe host may handle this combination unless Workstation has focus. | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + Delete |
| Send a command to the virtual machine | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + Space |
Full screen, switching, and Unity mode
Enter full screen or Unity mode, move among virtual machines, and change the active display layout while a guest is running.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Toggle full-screen mode | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + Enter |
| Switch to the next virtual-machine tabThe manual documents this for Windows hosts. | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Tab |
| Switch to the previous virtual-machine tabThe manual documents this for Windows hosts. | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Shift + Tab |
| Switch to the next powered-on virtual machine in full screen | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + Right Arrow |
| Switch to the previous powered-on virtual machine in full screen | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + Left Arrow |
| Change the monitor layout in full screen | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Alt + M |
| Toggle Unity mode | Windows / LinuxCtrl + Shift + U |
Source
official VMware Workstation Pro default hot-key combinations · Checked
Broadcom's VMware Workstation Pro 17.0 manual default hot-key table checked September 1, 2026. Host operating-system shortcuts and guest operating-system shortcuts can intercept combinations, and Workstation preferences or a different product edition may change the active map.