Linux distributions like Ubuntu open the main menu with Alt+F1 instead of the Windows key that most new Linux users would be expecting, but it used to be simple to change the shortcut key. Since Ubuntu 9.10 the process isnât so obvious, but weâve got the instructions for you.
Just in case youâre a total newb, hereâs the menu weâre talking about:
Change the Gnome Main Menu Shortcut Key to the Windows Key
The first thing youâd normally do is head to System â> Preferences â> Keyboard Shortcuts to change out the shortcut key, but sadly the âShow the panelâs main menuâ canât be assign to the Windows key. You can hit the key as much as you want, but it wonât work here.
What youâre going to need to do is either open up a terminal or use the Alt+F2 shortcut key to bring up the Run Application dialog, and then paste in the following:
gconftool-2 --set /apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_main_menu --type string "Super_L"
Once youâve hit the enter key, the Windows key will not only open the main menu, but the Keyboard Shortcuts panel will be updated with âSuper Lâ, which means the left Windows key.
And there you go.
- › Use the Windows Key for the "Start" Menu in Ubuntu Linux
- › How to Make Your Facebook Account More Private
- › 4 Ways to Ruin Your Smartphone’s Battery
- › The Origins of Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+Z Explained
- › 10 Things Blocking Your Wi-Fi Signal at Home
- › This Is How Steve Jobs Killed Adobe Flash
- › What Do “FR” and “FRFR” Mean?