If are using GNOME 3 in Ubuntu or GNOME Shell desktop for the first time then you will have a hard time finding your way around the desktop. The Gnome shell is tweaked for better keyboard and navigation support. Knowing a few useful shorcuts will help you to have a much better experience with Gnome 3.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Here are some useful shortcuts to give you a complete Gnome Shell experience.
Gnome Shell Shortcuts
- System Key (Windows Key) – Allows you to switch between the overview and the desktop
- Alt+F1 – (same as the above) Switches between overview and desktop
- Alt+F2 – Opens the Command Dialog
- Alt+Tab – Switches between the applications
- Alt+Shift+Tab – Switches between the applications in reverse direction
- Esc – Closes the command dialog, menus/calendar, overview, search in the overview, Looking Glass
- Alt+[key above Tab] – Switches between the windows of the same application
- Ctrl+Alt+Tab – Allows access to accessibility switcher
- Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R – Allow to start screencast recording, hitting the same stops recording
- Ctrl+Alt+Up/Down arrow – Allows you to switch between the workspace
- Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up/Down arrow – Move the current window to a different workspace
Tip: You can always view and change the keyboard shortcuts to your convenience under the User Menu -> System Settings -> Keyboard -> Shortcuts
Command Dialog Shortcuts
You have to enter the these codes in the Command Dialog (Alt+F2) without the quotes to trigger the function.
- ‘r’ or ‘restart’ - To restart GNOME Shell
- ‘rt’ – To reload the GNOME Shell theme
- ‘debugexit’ – To quit GNOME Shell
Window Shortcuts
Window shortcut keys allow you to use the keyboard to perform tasks on the currently focused window.
- Alt+Tab – Switches between currently open windows
- Alt+F7 – Moves the current window (can be moved with mouse or keyboard)
- Alt+F8 – Resizes current window (again,can be moved with mouse or keyboard)
- Alt+F9 – Minimises current window
- Alt+F10 – Maximises current window
- Alt+Space – Brings up window menu with various options as minimize, maximize, move…etc
- Alt+F5 – Returns window to ‘normal’ or previous size
- Alt+F4 – Closes window
Common Application Shortcuts
These shortcuts do not apply in all applications, but usually perform the functions listed below.
- Ctrl + C – Copy the selected text/object
- Ctrl + X – Cut the selected text/object
- Ctrl + V – Paste/insert the selected text/object
- Ctrl + A – Select all text
- Ctrl + B – Make the selected text bold
- Ctrl + I – Make the selected text italic
- Ctrl + U – Underline the selected text
- Ctrl + N – Open a new document or window
- Ctrl + S – Save the current document
- Ctrl + O – Open another document
- Ctrl + P – Print the current document
- Ctrl + Z – Undo the last change you made
- Ctrl + Shift + Z – Redo a change that you just undid
- Ctrl + Q – Quit the current application
Useful Shortcuts
- Prnt Scrn (Print Screen) – Take a screenshot of the whole screen
- Alt + Prt Sc – Take a screenshot of the current window
- Alt+Ctrl+Del – Restart he system
- Alt+Ctrl+L – Lock the screen
Mouse Tricks
- Window maximizing – You can maximize a window by dragging it to the top edge of the screen. You can also double-click the window title to maximize. To unmaximize, pull it down again.
- Moving your mouse pointer to the top left corner of the screen – will activate the overview
- Middle clicking on the application icon – will launch it on a new workspace.
- Right clicking on the application icon – for a running application will display a menu with window titles for selecting one of the windows.
- Ctrl+Clicking on the application icon for a running application will open a new window of that application in the current workspace.
Please free suggest any left out shortcuts through our TIP US page or leave a comment below.
