# Customizing the Keyboard for a Guest OS

By default, Parallels Desktop contains four profiles that represent sets of key combinations typical for the following OSs:

* Windows
* Linux
* macOS
* Generic (for other guest OSs)

When you create or register a virtual machine, one of these profiles, depending on the guest operating system, is assigned to the machine by default. You can create your own profile and assign it to your virtual machines.

To create a custom keyboard profile or edit the existing profiles:

1. Do one of the following:
   * Click the Parallels Desktop icon in the menu bar and choose **Preferences**.
   * Right-click the Parallels Desktop icon in the Dock and choose **Preferences**.
2. Click **Shortcuts**.

   <figure><img src="/files/tBk7aSAILI3ZgEzB21k9" alt="" width="561"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Select a virtual machine from the sidebar, click the **Profile** menu, and select **Edit profiles list**.<br>

   <figure><img src="/files/SVxPXaPQLK9S8yj8IWU4" alt="" width="320"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Do one of the following:
   * To add a new profile, click the **Add** button. Specify the new profile name and select the base profile from the list. After the profile is created, you can submit the changes by clicking **OK**. Then select this new profile in the **Profile** list and configure its shortcuts.
   * To remove one of the existing custom profiles, select it and click the **Remove** button.
   * To duplicate or rename one of the existing profiles, select this profile, click the **Settings** button, and select the corresponding action from the menu.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You can rename or remove your custom profiles only.
{% endhint %}

In the **Shortcuts** pane of Parallels Desktop Preferences, you can also assign profiles to your virtual machines.

To change a profile assigned to a virtual machine, select a virtual machine and choose a profile from the **Profile** menu.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.parallels.com/landing/pdfm-ug/v19-en-us/parallels-desktop-for-mac-19-users-guide/advanced-topics/using-other-operating-systems-on-your-mac/customizing-the-keyboard-for-a-guest-os.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.