Using Virtual PC Without Going Mad

So let's have something geeky but useful in this blog: how to fix the "stuck-control-key" problem in Microsoft Virtual PC 2004. This bug drives me nuts, and even at TechEd the lab assistants seemed to have no idea how to fix it. So here's the answer. (I didn't find this out myself, but I must have passed it on to about two dozen people so far, so it can't be widely known...)

Problem: With a UK keyboard, Virtual PC will occasionally behave as if you're holding down the control key. So every mouse click becomes a control-click, every keypress a shortcut command of some sort, and so on. VPC seems to have a problem distinguishing left-control from right-alt on a UK keyboard; I have no idea why.

Quick One-Time Solution: Tap the left-hand control key once.

Better Permanent Solution: Change the host key in Virtual PC, to anything other than the default right-alt key (to change it, go to Virtual PC Console, then File, Options, Keyboard). I generally use the right-control key.

Much more useful VPC information is available here.