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I am used to using Super on Ubuntu to open the search. Can I set Super to be the shortcut instead of Alt+F2?

Or does elementary OS not support Modifier key only bindings? I know that OS X doesn't because I wanted Super for the Spotlight search, and couldn't have it.

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  • 2
    I too would prefer to just use the Super key, but I remember reading somewhere that it was not possible. Let's see what people with more knowledge say about this.
    – Gabriel
    Jun 30, 2015 at 19:15
  • I believe there's an issue where the <kbd>Super</kbd> key is trapped somehow, and undetectable. I believe it's an upstream Gnome thing.
    – Lewis Goddard ♦
    Jun 30, 2015 at 21:23
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    Although not as convenient as only <Super>, <Super> + <SpaceBar> does the same as Alt + F2
    – John Guerreiro
    Jun 30, 2015 at 22:11
  • Do you want to change the super key to open slingshot, is that what you're asking?
    – Crutchcorn
    Jun 30, 2015 at 22:26
  • there is also Super-Space. Clicking it a second time closes Applications, a feature that is not present in Alt-F2 and is not present in the solution that replaces that.
    – user170
    Jul 5, 2015 at 15:22

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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  1. Open the Terminal by holding Super and pressing T

  2. Run this command:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings panel-main-menu "['Super_L', 'Super_R']"

  1. Either revel in the glory of your newfound shortcut, or change back by running:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings panel-main-menu "['<Super>space', '<Alt>F2']"

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  • there is a little problem though: the new Super key lacks a feature that is present in Super-Space. Indeed, your solution replaces ALT-F2, not Super-Space, which pressed a second time also closes Applications
    – user170
    Jul 5, 2015 at 15:23
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    Much better improvement of my answer. Good work
    – Crutchcorn
    Jul 10, 2015 at 1:03
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    Do note that this will mess with all other shortcuts that use Super and is the reason it's not the default. i.e. Super left/right to switch workspaces gets weird because now the app launcher is opening, super+drag to move windows around gets messed up, etc.
    – Cassidy James Blaede
    Jul 17, 2015 at 19:55
  • hi, I am not sure what command I used to change to <Super>space to <Super> as I did that a long time ago, I tried the second command but it did not change. Now all three combinations open app launcher.
    – Gaurav Kumar
    Sep 21, 2017 at 10:00
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You can set slingshot to launch by only pressing the super key by typing the following command into your terminal:

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings panel-main-menu "['Super_L']"
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  • Was looking for that entry to complete my answer since I had it configured that way in my system. Also useful to change Super + Up to toggle-maximized
    – John Guerreiro
    Jun 30, 2015 at 22:53
  • I just have a list of things I do to configure my eOS installs. Luckily, that was on that list. :)
    – Crutchcorn
    Jun 30, 2015 at 22:55
  • This is the answer, thank you very much @Crutchcorn!
    – Gabriel
    Jul 1, 2015 at 0:20
  • Anytime! Glad I could help
    – Crutchcorn
    Jul 1, 2015 at 4:30
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    @Tim The default setting is ['<Super>space', '<Alt>F2'], so I would assume ['Super_L', 'Super_R'] would work for both.
    – Lewis Goddard ♦
    Jul 1, 2015 at 9:53

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