37

Is there anyway to open up the applications menu with only the windows key, and not the Windows+Space Bar?

Improve this question
3
  • Please select this bug affects you: bugs.launchpad.net/switchboard-plug-keyboard/+bug/1333015
    – png2378
    Sep 13, 2015 at 21:14
  • 1
    I usually use spotlight to launch application faster, webupd8.org/2015/01/albert-fast-lightweight-quick-launcher.html
    – Saahithyan Vigneswaran
    Jul 27, 2016 at 6:27
  • I really like this but it was causing Firefox several issue. It was very irritating because at first I didn't realize this tweak was causing it. I just thought the new Elementary was buggy with Firefox, or visa versa. After extensive testing and troubleshooting, I finally realized that maybe this shortcut tweak may have cause it. After finding out the command to disable it, all issues with Firefox went away. - Issue 1. Scrolling wheel on my mouse would zoom in/out about 50% of the time. - Issue 2. Right clicking on highlighted text would select-all text on page. - Issue 3. Right clicking menu
    – Jesse vizcarra
    Nov 25, 2018 at 21:51

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
37

You can assign Super key to open Slingshot-launcher on Loki with following commands:

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key "'Super_L'"
gsettings set org.pantheon.desktop.gala.behavior overlay-action "'wingpanel --toggle-indicator=app-launcher'"
Improve this answer
6
  • how can I undo this? I cannot use any shortcut with combination of winkey now (found it myself : dconf reset /org/gnome/desktop/wm/keybindings/panel-main-menu )
    – Woeitg
    Jan 21, 2016 at 18:16
  • 3
    @Woeitg You can reset this with gsettings reset org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings panel-main-menu
    – Aki K
    Mar 6, 2016 at 19:17
  • I tried on 0.3.2. The shortcut worked, but when the panel menu is up and I switch to another workspace, (not the one w/ panel menu up) then I cannot use <super>+Num to switch any other workspaces. (I guess I just cannot use any combination with <super> as modifier)
    – Xin
    Mar 24, 2016 at 18:13
  • You deserve a cookie @png2378
    – Flatron
    Jan 9, 2017 at 13:20
  • I see no reason why this isn't the default behavior. Is there an issue tracker for this?
    – Jonathan
    Sep 3, 2018 at 0:18
21

This currently can be configured from System Settings -> Keyboard like

enter image description here

Improve this answer
3
  • 1
    this should be higher up, this is exactly what OP needed
    – Matthew Sainsbury
    Jul 27, 2019 at 5:04
  • This is the right answer.
    – Jakub Bláha
    Dec 17, 2019 at 11:48
  • Indeed - this is the correct answer.
    – simonescu
    Jul 28, 2020 at 8:28
5

You can't do that through the custom shortcuts that you can set via Switchboard, which only allow combinations of 2 or more keystrokes.

I believe it is possible using xbindkeys, though. To install it (along with a GUI configurator) paste this command into a terminal window:

sudo apt-get install xbindkeys-config

In order to run, the program needs a config file in your home directory. Create it with this command:

xbindkeys --defaults > /home/YOURUSERNAME/.xbindkeysrc

Now run the program by typing xbindkeys-config into the terminal or in the search string of the application launcher. This window will fire up:

enter image description here

Hit "New" to create your custom command. On the top right box you must type in all relevant information: a name for the shortcut, the key assigned to it, and the command to execute the program (in your case slingshot-launcher). To get the name of the correct key use the "Get Key" button. A blank window will pop up. Just press your key and the program will automatically record its name code. Hit "Save & Apply & Exit" and you're done.

Now the bad news: in my test I couldn't assign the Super key. I'm afraid it is already binded to other shortcuts, but I couldn't troubleshoot the issue. I was able to assign a "less-used" key, though, like the "Pause" key.

Note. To make this setup permanent you need to add xbindkeys to your startup applications.

Improve this answer
3
  • This post is a super long comment to saintjules' response. This is a post, not a comment, because I cannot comment yet. You can assign the meta (super, windows logo, command, Mod4) key to slingshot-launcher. Here's how: 1. Assuming you have completed saintjules' response, open a terminal. Type xmodmap -pke | grep '= Super_L NoSymbol Super_L'. 2. Make note of the keycode number. 3. Run xbindkeys-config. 4. Create the item according to saintjules' response, but in the "Key: " field, type Super_L | c:your_keycode_number. For me, this would be Super_L | c:133. Now you should be able to pre
    – Merlin04
    Sep 13, 2015 at 15:56
  • "... press meta to open the launcher."
    – Lewis Goddard ♦
    Sep 13, 2015 at 20:03
  • Good catch, Merlin04! It's not clear if you can post answers or not, so I'll ask the mods: should I just edit my answer?
    – Giulio Sant
    Sep 14, 2015 at 13:53

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.