To release the mouse pointer from a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM), simply tap the Right Ctrl key on your keyboard.
When your mouse pointer is captured by the virtual machine, it means the VM is controlling the cursor. This is necessary for interacting with the guest operating system. To regain control of the mouse on your host operating system (the one running VirtualBox), you need to tell VirtualBox to release it.
The Default Method: The Host Key
VirtualBox uses a special key called the Host Key to switch keyboard and mouse control between the host operating system and the guest virtual machine. By default, this key is set to the Right Ctrl key.
As stated in the reference: "'Right Ctrl' just means the right control key, not a key combination. Just tap the 'Ctrl' key on the right side of the keyboard, and the mouse will release."
- What to do: Locate the Ctrl key on the right side of your keyboard and tap it once.
- Result: The mouse pointer should instantly become usable on your host operating system again. The keyboard will also typically switch back to controlling the host.
What is the Host Key?
The Host Key is a fundamental concept in VirtualBox:
- It's a dedicated key that signals VirtualBox itself.
- It allows you to escape from the guest VM environment.
- Its primary function is to release the mouse and keyboard capture.
- It can also be used in combination with other keys to perform various actions like taking snapshots, switching to full-screen mode, or shutting down the VM (e.g., Host Key + F for full screen).
Finding or Changing the Host Key
If the Right Ctrl key doesn't work for you, it's possible the Host Key has been changed in your VirtualBox settings.
Here's how to check or change it:
- Close any running virtual machines.
- Open the main VirtualBox Manager window.
- Go to File > Preferences (or VirtualBox > Preferences on macOS).
- Select the Input category in the preferences window.
- The first item listed is Host Key Combination. You can see the current key assigned there.
- To change it, click on the key displayed and press the new key you want to assign as the Host Key. Be careful not to choose a key you use frequently in your daily work.
Tapping this assigned Host Key is the standard way to release the mouse and keyboard from your VirtualBox VM.
