To free your mouse from a virtual machine, the primary method is using a specific keyboard shortcut, often called the "host key combination."
Using the Host Key Combination
When your mouse cursor is captured inside the virtual machine window, it won't move outside of that window onto your host operating system. To release it, you need to tell the virtual machine software to relinquish control of the mouse.
Based on the provided information, the specific hotkey to release the mouse cursor from the virtual machine is Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow.
Steps to Release the Mouse
Follow these simple steps to free your cursor:
- Ensure your virtual machine window is active or has focus.
- Simultaneously press the Ctrl key, the Alt key, and the Left Arrow key on your keyboard.
- Your mouse cursor should now be free to move outside the virtual machine window and back onto your host operating system's desktop.
This hotkey combination is a standard method for many virtual machine platforms to switch control between the guest (virtual machine) and host (your main computer) environments without needing to click outside the window or use menus.
Remembering this simple shortcut, Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow, allows you to quickly switch control of your mouse whenever you need to interact with your host operating system.
