How to Switch Some Basic Keys in Windows (Windows VirtualBox Guest on OSX Host)

Question

I am going crazy switching between Windows XP in a VirtualBox and the host (OSX), mostly due to the use of control-c, control-v, control-x and that they are different between the two OSes.

Is there any way to get my Windows machine to use different shortcuts OS-wide?

Edit: I really need a way to override Windows-C Windows-X Windows-V Windows-Z and Windows-Tab (copy, cut, paste, undo and switch-apps) for the solution to work for me.

Edit: Thanks for John T.'s help, I've got my autokey stuff working. I posted my final code for Windows guests on OSX here.

Answer 1

Yep, check out Autohotkey. You can choose to have the hotkeys work on a per-application basis or system wide.

example:

^!n::Run C:\Windows

This will allow you to use Ctrl + Alt + n to open an explorer window to C:\Windows.

The hotkeys tutorial is a great start for making your own custom hotkeys.

Answer 2

Just for the Super User archives, something I found at some blog. ;-)

1. Change your Host key on VirtualBox to be the RIGHT command key

2. Download AutoHotkey

3. Put this script in as the startup script

 #SingleInstance force
 #r::Send ^r ;reload
 #z::Send ^z ; undo
 #y::Send ^y ; redo
 #f::Send ^f ; find inside apps
 #c::Send ^c ; copy
 #x::Send ^x ; cut
 #v::Send ^v ; paste
 #t::Send ^t ; new tab, Firefox
 #s::Send ^s ; save inside apps
 LWin & Tab::AltTab ; the motherlode, alt-tab!

and you're up and running!

Answer 3

First change the Host Key to Right Command key...

And then change all usages of Windows key to Control Key, in your AHK script.

LWin::LCtrl
LCtrl::LWin

Now the keys are remapped for all shortcuts!

Answer 4

You can also use SharpKeys to remap the keys. I found this HowToGeek article helpful for walking through the steps on OS X and Windows.