VMware Workstation keyboard shortcuts
VMware Workstation's default hot-key combinations release input, control full-screen guests, switch virtual machines, and manage Unity mode. This reference covers the host shortcuts documented for Workstation Pro on Windows and Linux.
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 | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Grab input from the host | CtrlG | CtrlG |
| Release the cursor from the guest | CtrlAlt | CtrlAlt |
| Send Ctrl+Alt+Insert to the guest | CtrlAltInsert | CtrlAltInsert |
| Send Ctrl+Alt+Delete to the guestThe host may handle this combination unless Workstation has focus. | CtrlAltDelete | CtrlAltDelete |
| Send a command to the virtual machine | CtrlAltSpace | CtrlAltSpace |
Full screen and virtual-machine switching
Enter full screen, move among virtual machines, and change the active display layout while a guest is running.
| Action | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle full-screen mode | CtrlAltEnter | CtrlAltEnter |
| Switch to the next virtual-machine tabThe manual documents this for Windows hosts. | CtrlTab | CtrlTab |
| Switch to the previous virtual-machine tabThe manual documents this for Windows hosts. | CtrlShiftTab | CtrlShiftTab |
| Switch to the next powered-on virtual machine in full screen | CtrlAltRight Arrow | CtrlAltRight Arrow |
| Switch to the previous powered-on virtual machine in full screen | CtrlAltLeft Arrow | CtrlAltLeft Arrow |
| Change the monitor layout in full screen | CtrlAltM | CtrlAltM |
Unity mode
Enter or leave VMware Unity mode and use the host desktop to reach applications from the running guest.
| Action | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Unity mode | CtrlShiftU | CtrlShiftU |