VirtualBox Keyboard Shortcuts Ultimate Guide How To Use Them

VirtualBox Keyboard Shortcuts Ultimate Guide: How to Use Them

VirtualBox, a powerful and versatile virtualization software, offers a wide range of keyboard shortcuts to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflow. Mastering these shortcuts can significantly improve your experience with managing virtual machines, networks, and other features within VirtualBox.

Machine Management

Effective management of virtual machines is crucial for any user. Here are some essential shortcuts to help you manage your VMs efficiently:

Ctrl + N: Open the Virtual Machine creation prompt to create a new VM.
Ctrl + A: Add an existing Virtual Machine to the VirtualBox machine listing.
Ctrl + O: Clone an existing Virtual Machine in the current listing.
Alt + M, then Alt + M: Move the currently selected Virtual Machine to a different location.
Alt + M, then Alt + R: Remove the current Virtual Machine from the list.
Ctrl + I: Import a Virtual appliance to the current list. Replacing ‘I’ with ‘E’ allows you to export it.

Control and Operations

These shortcuts help you control various aspects of your running virtual machines:

Right Ctrl + P: Suspend the currently running Virtual Machine. Replacing ‘P’ with ‘R’ reloads the VM.
Right Ctrl + S: Open the Settings window while the Virtual Machine is running.
Right Ctrl + H: Send a Power off signal to the Virtual Machine.
Right Ctrl + C: Toggle the scaled display mode for the currently running Virtual Machine.
Right Ctrl + L: Toggle the seamless mode for the currently running Virtual Machine.
Right Ctrl + A: Resize the display window to the current resolution of the Virtual Machine.

Window Management

Managing windows efficiently is key to a smooth workflow:

Ctrl + Q: Terminate the current VirtualBox session.
Command + H (on Mac): Minimize the current session to the taskbar.
Command + Option + H (on Mac): Minimize all other sessions to the taskbar.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + upper sign or lower sign: Place the desk either on top of the other or below.

Extensions Pack Management

Extensions packs enhance the functionality of VirtualBox. Here are shortcuts to manage them:

Ctrl + T: Open the VM Extensions Pack application panel.
Ctrl + Shift + I: Install a new Extension Pack on the current VirtualBox installation.
Ctrl + Shift + U: Uninstall an existing Extension Pack on the current VirtualBox installation.

Virtual Storage Management

Managing virtual storage is essential for maintaining your VMs:

Ctrl + D: Open the Virtual Storage application panel.
Alt + H: List all available Hard Disk images on the current installation.
Alt + O: List all available Optical Media images on the current installation.
Alt + F: List all available Floppy Disk images on the current installation.
Ctrl + Shift + F: Reload the list of currently available Virtual Disks.
Ctrl + Shift + A: Import an existing Virtual Disk image to the current installation.
Ctrl + Shift + C: Clone the currently selected Virtual Disk image.
Ctrl + Shift + M: Move the location of the Virtual Disk image to a different local directory.
Ctrl + Shift + L: Detach the currently selected Virtual Disk from its parent Virtual Machine.
Ctrl + Shift + R: Delete the currently selected Virtual Disk from the installation.

Host Key and Other Essential Shortcuts

Understanding the Host key and other essential shortcuts can significantly enhance your interaction with VirtualBox:

Right Ctrl (usually reserved as the Host key): Use this key in combination with other keys to perform Host-specific actions. For example, Host Key + M minimizes the VM window on the Host.
F1: Open the comprehensive Help window for VirtualBox.
Ctrl + G: Open VirtualBox’s Preferences window.

Remote Cloud Management

For users leveraging Oracle Cloud, these shortcuts are particularly useful:

Ctrl + Shift + T: Open the free trial offer for Oracle remote cloud access.
Ctrl + Shift + P: Turn on the available settings for a particular remote cloud account.
Ctrl + Shift + A: Create a new remote cloud profile in three clicks.

By mastering these keyboard shortcuts, you can optimize your workflow, reduce dependency on the mouse, and make the most out of VirtualBox's features.