Windows shortcut keys do not work as expected with the vSphere Client on Windows 7

Products

• VMware vCenter Server
• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

Symptoms:

• When using the screen lock shortcut (Windows + L) in a Windows 7 virtual machine using the vSphere Client 4.1 that is installed on Windows 7, both the local and remote desktops get locked
• When the vSphere Client is installed in Windows XP, only the guest virtual machine gets locked
• This issue occurs when accessing the Windows 7 virtual machine either by connecting directly to the ESX host using the vSphere Client or through vCenter Server

vm-locked windows-7 windows7

Environment

VMware ESX 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Embedded
VMware vCenter Server 4.1.x
VMware ESXi 4.1.x Installable

Resolution

This is an expected behaviour in Windows 7 and Windows Vista virtual machines. This is a security feature of the operating system.

To lock the screen in a virtual machine, use the Ctrl + Alt + Insert keys.