Fusion

When I Alt-tab from within Fusion, I get the expected OS X behavior -- to move between apps. This is correct. However, Alt-tab also opens the Windows menu in the guest -- so when returning to the guest it's necessary to click somewhere in the guest to dismiss the menu.

This isn't a huge problem, but I hate these kinds of minor changes in workflow -- I've tried several different combinations of Key Mappings & Shortcuts, and searched Google & the VMWare forums, with no luck. Anyone else see this behavior/know how to prevent the Windows menu opening?

This is Fusion 5 latest, Win XP guest, on a mid-2012 Air.

Thanks,

Doug

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Don't you mean CMD-TAB for OSX tabbing?

Yes, that was stupid of me - I meant cmd-tab -

Doug

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No worries - I see that sometimes as well.  The cmd key is mapped to the windows key, and if I don't hit the combo fast enough, it pops that menu.

When I Alt-tab from within Fusion, I get the expected OS X behavior -- to move between apps.

     hi friend,  you mean if using Alt-tab from within Fusion, you can get the expected Guest OS(your windows xp vm). right?

However, Alt-tab also opens the Windows menu in the guest -- so when returning to the guest it's necessary to click somewhere in the guest to dismiss the menu.

I tried on my win xp vm, when using alt-tab, i can freely switch between the available apps without windows menu appears. Do you have some special steps? or could you please provide a video if possible?

Do you have some special steps? or could you please provide a video if possible?

Here are the steps:

1. I'm running OS X 10.8.1 and Fusion 5.0.1

2. I have a Win XP guest running in Fusion, in single window mode.

3. While working in the vm, I'll hit cmd-tab to switch to some OS X app.

4. The row of OS X app icons appears while I hold down cmd, and I can tab through them normally.

5. If I select an OS X app (by releasing the cmd key while the icon is selected) the OS X app appears.

6. HOWEVER - as soon as I release the cmd key, I see that (if the vm is still visible on screen) the Windows start menu opens - as though I had just hit the Windows key.

7. When I later return to the vm, the Windows start menu is up/has focus.

Thanks,

Doug

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Hi dacmp,

I think when you doing these steps your mouse must be inside the VM.

What you need to do is, just move mouse out of the guest, then using the cmd+tab will not open the windows start menu. :smileyhappy:

Hi dacmp,

I think when you doing these steps your mouse must be inside the VM.

What you need to do is, just move mouse out of the guest, then using the cmd+tab will not open the windows start menu. :smileyhappy:

Thanks amzhang0922, that does work, but it just means that rather than doing something extra when I return to the vm (closing the Windows start menu) I have to instead do something extra before leaving the vm (remember to move the mouse outside the vm).

I'd really prefer the old behavior -- where I simply moved between Fusion/other OS X apps with cmd-tab and the Windows start menu never opened...

Doug

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I've been frustrated with the same problem for a while now, and on seeing this thread, thought about it a bit more.  Here's a slightly less inconvenient workaround -- still something extra to do unfortunately, but faster/easier than the alternatives -- retrain yourself to tap command once quickly before your regular command-tab application switching.  There doesn't seem to be any negative impact to switching between Mac applications, and in windows guests it activates and then deactivates the windows menu/windows home screen thingy, leaving it ready for you to interact with when you switch back to the app.

Actually, it have been solved, but settings are a little bit hidden...

• You have to go into "Settings...", then "Keyboard and mouse", then you are presented with different profiles.
• By default, let's assume that "Mac profile" is selected.
• Clic on the setting gear at the bottom of the window, then choose "Modify profile".
• On the tab "Guest shortcuts", select option "Activate keyboard shortcuts for Mac OS host" (precisely to regain control of Cmd+Tab, etc)
• Then for better interaction with the Windows Guest, you may choose to map the Windows Key only with the right Cmd key (choose depending if you're left handed or right handed!)

You don't have to reboot the guest in order settings to be applied. Once you quit the setting dialog box, it should work.

Regards

I filed a support ticket for this - VMWare support got back to me almost immediately:

Hello Douglas,

Thank you for your response on the Support Request.

Thank you for reporting this issue, we were also able to replicate the same issue at our end. We have filed a problem report with our engineering and development group. That group has acknowledged and taken ownership of the problem and have marked that issue to be resolved in a future release/version of Fusion. There is no ETA as to the release date, or which product version the fix will be in.

So we would request you to please bare with us while we get this fixed. I really apologize for the inconvenience caused.

We thank you for bringing this issue to our attention and we look forward to resolving it in a future release.

We will update you once we have an update from our engineering team.

Doug

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Hi,

Any news on this ?

3 years later and i have the same problem with VMware Fusion Proffesionnel Version 7.1.1.