Keyboard Problems - CTRL function no longer available

[NickCoates]

Hello,

I have Parallels 6 Desktop installed on my Macbook Pro, with Windows 7.

I recently updated my Parallels to Build 6.0.12094 (July'11) and then updated my Mac OS to Lion. Since then I have not been able to use the CTRL key on my keyboard to select multiple items which are not located next to one another. For example, in Windows Explorer I am unable to select more than one file, and in Microsoft Excel, I am unable to select more than one cell.

I am still able to use the SHIFT key to select multiple items which is next to one another.

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

 

[NickCoates]

The answer - found on the forum!

The solution:

Lion uses more shortcuts than Snow Leopard, esp. for Launch Pad and Mission Control. The latter has CTRL arrow left and CTRL arrow right assigned by default, and with Parallels preferences / keyboard / Enable Mac OS X system shortcuts checked, the above combinations trigger Mission Control functions even from inside the VM - that's what the preference item is for.

To avoid this, you can go two ways - Disable the checkbox in the Parallels preferences (the easy way - but you lose all system keys at once within the VM); or remove the assignment of those two shortcuts in Mac OS X system preferences / keyboard / keyboard shortcuts.

Just chose Mission Control on the left side, then you can see the two items on the right side. Uncheck them, and you are fine inside the Windows VMs. There's no pain unless you would like to use the shortcuts for Mission Control.

Since Mission Control only makes real fun with gestures enabled, most people with gesture-capable machines won't need the shortcuts. You could even assign other shortcuts to Mission Control if you liked.

Regards!