Xfce Forum

Setula

Member

Registered: 2025-08-23

Posts: 3

How to make XFCE Detect Keybindings While Using a VM in Virt-Manager?

Hello everyone,

I am using a KVM virtual machine with Virt-Manager, and I know that all my inputs are redirected to the VM, which prevents XFCE on my host OS from recognizing my keybindings. However, there is one keybinding that I would like to be detected even when I am using the VM.

I have a keybinding set for the right Control key, and I would like this keybing to be recognized by XFCE on my host OS even while I am working in the VM, without having to leave the Virt-Manager window. Is this possible?

CwF

Moderator

Registered: 2018-01-28

Posts: 316

Re: How to make XFCE Detect Keybindings While Using a VM in Virt-Manager?

You could add <Alt> to the sequence. I think that will escape.

Setula

Member

Registered: 2025-08-23

Posts: 3

Re: How to make XFCE Detect Keybindings While Using a VM in Virt-Manager?

I have to press L Ctrl + Alt (the input release keybind of Virt-manager) and then press the XFCE keybinding; only then will XFCE detect the keybinding. This means I have to press L Ctrl + Alt + [host keybinding].

I don't like this approach, though, since sometimes XFCE doesn't detect the keybind on the first try because of how quickly I press it, making me have to press it again.

Maybe I shouldn't be looking at how to do this with XFCE.

I know that inputs from the Magic SysRq key to send signals to the kernel still work regardless of my inputs being redirected to the VM or not. That's understandable since the kernel receives the input before the applications, allowing it to detect the keybinding upon receiving it. Perhaps I should look into how to make the kernel execute a custom command upon detecting a keybinding, similar to the Magic SysRq key but with a custom command.

Last edited by Setula (2025-08-24 01:12:24)