Keyboard shortcuts can save you time if you know they are. Ubuntu has quick keyboard features that make it easy to navigate between tasks and interact with any window.
As with any keyboard or hotkey, they take time to learn. But they usually make your workflow more efficient and enjoyable.
Here are 10 of the most popular keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu and their benefits.
- Super key.
- See what applications are installed on your system.
- Minimize applications and show the desktop.
- Ubuntu Terminal Shortcut
- Lock Screen
- Log Out or Log Out
- Folder Shortcuts
- Switch Applications
- Notification panel
- Run shortcut
Super Key
You will find the Super key on your keyboard to the left of the spacebar between the Ctrl and Alt keys. It is also called the Windows key. Some keyboards have two.
Pressing the superkey will display an overview of the actions. This key will show you all the applications you are currently running on your computer.
You can also search for:
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- Apps that you don’t have yet, but want to use
- files on your computer
See the apps installed on your system
There are times when you want to see all the applications that are installed on your system (not just the ones that are running).
The fastest way is to use the keyboard shortcut Super + A. The screenshot below shows how you can search for apps.
Minimize apps and show desktop
If you’re distracted by your desktop clutter when trying to do something, use the Ubuntu Super + D keyboard shortcut.
Instead of clicking or minimizing open windows, show only your desktop.
To reopen all running application windows, use the same Super + D shortcut.
Ubuntu Terminal abbreviation
To open a new terminal, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T
Consider that you can keep running command lines all the time with minimal effort using this Ubuntu keyboard shortcut, for example:
- Cleaning up files
- Finding hard drive errors
- Create a bootable USB drive
- Remote file transfer
- Troubleshoot network path problems
- Find files
- Archive and unzip
- Perform bulk deletes
- Install development tools
- Check CPU usage, HTTP processes and server load
- Free up disk space
- Checking your server’s DNS settings
- cPanel Restore and Backup
- MySQL Database Management
Lock Screen
For your safety, it is recommended that you lock your computer when you are away from it. Locking the screen will not stop any processes or applications that you are running.
Instead, they will continue to work behind a locked screen. To unlock it, you will need to enter your password.
Use the Super + L shortcut to quickly lock your screen. Some systems also use Ctrl + Alt + L.
If you find yourself forgetting to lock the screen, you can set it to lock automatically when not in use.
Logout or Logout
If you are using Ubuntu with multiple users and need to switch between them, one way is to log out of the session. The fastest way to log out is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + D.
Be aware that logging out will end all sessions and applications that you are using. If you don’t want to lose what you are working on, switch users without logging out.
Click the system menu on the top bar and select a username. Or you can create your own shortcut.
You can read more on how to customize your own keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu here.
Folder Shortcuts
It’s easy to create a new folder using the Ctrl + Shift keyboard shortcut.
To view the properties of any of your folders, select the folder and use the Alt + Enter keyboard shortcut.
If you want to rename a folder, select it, press f2, then enter the new name you want to use.
Change application
When launching multiple applications at the same time, use Alt + Tab or Super + Tab to switch between them.
While holding down the Super key, keep pressing the Tab key until you find the app you want to use. Release both keys when you find it.
By default, the app switcher moves from left to right. If you prefer to move apps from right to left, use the Super + Shift + Tab keyboard shortcut.
The Alt key can be used instead of the Super key to accomplish the same task.
Notification Tray
Linux distributions like GNOME have a notification bar for various actions and systems. Your system calendar is also located here.
Use the Super + M keyboard shortcut to open the notification area.
Use the same keys to close the tray.
Run a quick command
For those Ubuntu users who don’t want to open a terminal, use Alt + F2 instead to execute a quick command.
This is especially useful if you are using applications that can only be launched from the terminal.
Using Ubuntu keyboard shortcuts can improve productivity and efficiency. Knowing which keystroke combinations will trigger the actions you want to perform will save you a lot of time.
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