How do I map MacBook keys to Windows CTRL-Left-Click?

[Clyde Ingram]

Macbook M4 Pro | macOS Sequoia 15.3.2 | VMware Fusion Pro 13.6.3 | Windows 11 Home 24H2 64-bit ARM

In Windows 11 in Fusion Pro on Sequoia, I am running MRmap 7.0b, a mapping application for planning a photo-survey for a Mountain Rescue drone team.  When I left-click on the widget for the Take-Off/Landing Point (TOLP), an on-screen help-text advises "Press CTRL and then drag to move".

Now, I guess that on a pure Windows platform, this means press CTRL and hold Left-Click on the mouse.

How do I configure VMware Fusion Pro to perform a suitable mapping on my MacBook keyboard?

The mouse I have is an HP USB-A mouse with 2 buttons and a wheel.  I have tried many combinations of command, option, control, shift, and fn keys plus Left-Click, but none of these let me drag the TOLP widget.  Command-Left-Click drags the entire map, not the TOLP widget.

I am new to VMware Fusion Pro, and suspect that the Keyboard & Mouse app, under System Settings (in the "Windows 11 64-bit Arm: Settings" window) may have changed since older postings, so that their advice on using VMware System Preferences may no longer be applicable.  For example, the Keyboard & Muse app first asks me to select one of 4 profiles (Mac Profile, Profile - Default, Windows 10 Profile, Windows 8 Profile).  Then each Profile presents 4 tabs: Key Mappings, Mouse Shortcuts, Mac Host Shortcuts, Fusion Shortcuts.  

I'd appreciate any advice that is sufficiently clear and simple to guide a newcomer like me through this.

[Technogeezer]

See if this helps (it has worked for me with similar applications not seeing the ctrl-click).

First, configure Fusion to enable per-virtual machine keyboard shortcuts (VMware Fusion > Settings > General > Enable per-virtual machine keyboard shortcuts)

Then open settings for the VM: Virtual Machine > Settings > Keyboard & Mouse.

Highlight the Windows 10 Profile, and use the drop-down menu at the bottom of the list  (looks like a circle with three dots in it with a downward arrow) and select "Duplicate Profile". A new profile will be created.

Select the new profile, click on the drop-down again, and use "Rename Profile" to something more relevant such as "Windows 11 Custom Profile".

Double click on the new profile. 

Select the "Mouse shortcuts" tab and make sure the box next to "Secondary Button" is unchecked.

Select the "Mac host shortcuts" tab, and make sure the box next to Enable Mac OS Host Keyboard Shortcuts" is unchecked.

Close the dialog box.

Make sure your new profile is selected in the VM's settings - you can confirm that because it will be displayed in the right hand panel.

Close the VM's settings and power on the VM.  See if Ctrl-click works as expected. 

If it doesn't, set the VM's settiing back to using the Windows 10 Profile. 

[Clyde Ingram]

Thanks very much, Technogeezer.  Your answer of 15th April works for me.  That's a big step up -- I'm very grateful.  I just have to get my mind round why it works.

[Technogeezer]

I think the reason it works is a byproduct of who is capturing the CTRL hold down. When the "Mouse shortcuts" is enabled, the raw CTRL key is interpreted by the Mac and the VMware mouse driver in the VM is given the right click. When disabled, the CTRL key press is passed to by Windows in the VM. 

At least that's how I theorize that it works....