KDE: “Windows Key” to open Kickoff Launcher
When I installed Linux Mint 12 KDE, as with anytime I install an operating system (except OS X, since you don’t get choices), I had to make a few small modifications before I got up and running. I start with the applications I want to have installed and to turn off tap-to-click. One of the other tasks under Linux is to set a few key bindings that I’m in a habit of using from Windows.
There really are only 3 “critical” key bindings for me. Windows+R for run, Windows+M for minimize all applications, and just Windows Key to open the launcher/start menu. The first two are easy if you go into “Global Keyboard Shortcuts”. Under “Run Command Interface” you’ll find ‘Run Command’. Under “KWin” you’ll find a ‘Show Desktop’ entry which is the equivalent of minimize all. With those two done it’s on to just the Windows key.
Unfortunately, this isn’t quite as easy since there is one catch with how Linux/KDE/QT/etc are setup. The “Windows Key” (as I call it), more properly known as the “meta key”, is simply a modifier (like Shift, Ctrl, & Alt) and not a key in its own right. This means that you cannot, without some lower level file hacking, stab the Windows Key alone and get it to open the launcher.
I’m not going to bother doing the hacks since inevitably they will get nuked by some upgrade so I’m going to try and relearn my habits slightly. I’ve mapped Windows+Space (or Meta+Spacebar) to open the KDE Launcher (known as kick off). This is not in the standard Keyboard Shortcut applications.
- Right click on Kickoff (the KDE icon in the bottom left of your screen)
- Click “Application Launcher Settings”
- Select “Keyboard Shortcuts”
- Click the button and press your desired shortcut key combo
- Done!
Heard of Ksuperkey? It sets the “Meta” key as Alt+F1. Just run it when KDE starts
Interesting. I don’t run KDE any more, but always good to know for others with similar issues.
Spacepenguin, thx a lot! Saved my day :) what a beautiful clever little workaround…
worked a treat, thanks
Are you God?
Thanks bro !
Awesome! Thank you so much!!
Thanks for the solition! It works well for showing and hiding! But when I try to use Win+D or Win+R, Kickoff is show/hide too with this action. You have same problem? How we can fix this?
It’s working now for some reason it wouldn’t hide at first but works fine now.
hmm, i’am having the same problem, Kubuntu 13.04 with KDE 4.10.2
i need to press esc key to hide it, but never mind.
This works but a second press of the win key won’t cause the launcher to disapear you have to use the esc key to get the menue to subside.
For me it works too, even the hiding :)
Relearning one’s habits isn’t that bad at all ;). But there is an easy way to map the left windows key to a virtual key ‘F13’ with just one small text file in ~/.kde/Autostart. And files in your home folder are not overwritten when you update your system!
The code (name the file as you wish but don’t forget to make it executable!):
#! /bin/bash
xmodmap -e ‘keycode 133=F13’
Click on the file to execute it and afterwards assign the windows key to your menu.
In case this does not work maybe your keyboard gives back another keycode for the windows key. Try “xev” to find out and replace 133 with the keycode that matches your windows key.
Awesome. Thanks.
Working perfectly. Thanks.
gamato!
this works perfectly!
Thanks, that’s awesome. :)
Thank a lot Spacepenguin, it’s work.