Ubuntu Keyboard Shortcuts

I've been using Ubuntu for about three years now and I've never taken the time to learn the keyboard shortcuts. I've wasted so much time taking the extra second to move my hand over to the mouse. The purpose of this article is to quickly teach you useful time-saving keyboard shortcuts available in Ubuntu.

I don't like wasting your time so let's get right to the point

Lock the screen

CTRL+ALT+L

I try to do this when I leave my desk for any amount of time, which is multiple times throughout the day. The above key combination will display the screen saver and then require your password when you return.

Change workspaces

CTRL+ALT+LEFT/RIGHT ARROW KEY

Very useful when switching between projects or tasks!

Minimize your applications

CTRL+ALT+D

To minimize all your applications and display your desktop try the above key combination. I don't user this very often but thought you might

Cycle through your open programmes

ALT+TAB

This is the key combination I use the most! I use this one more at home then I do at work as at home I don't have dual monitors. If you work in web design you switch back and forth between a browser every few seconds. Not using this key combination would add minutes of time to your work every day and hours per month.

Move applications between workspaces

SHIFT+CTRL+ALT+LEFT/RIGHT KEY

This one is new to me and I've not used it much, now that I know it I'll try to put it to use. Please leave a comment of how you use it.

Resize and move windows

• Move a window press: ALT+F7 then use arrow keys to move window.
• Resize a window press: ALT+F8 then use arrow keys to move window.

Minimize/Maximize windows

ALT+F9 (minimize)
ALT+F10 (maximize)
ALT+F10 (pressing again will restore to original size)

Run Application

ALT+F2

Very handy, but I prefer the terminal

Toggle hidden files in Nautilus

Ctrl+H

I remember this one from my windows days. I assume this is common through all operating systems. Comments Mac users?

Restart X

Shift+Backspace

I use this quite often when I'm configuring displays

Rename a File

F2

F2 renames a file in Nautilus, this is common among most operating systems.

Refresh

F5

The F5 key combination is probably the most widely know shortcut for web developers as it works in every Linux and Windows browser (not Mac, which is Command + R). F5 also works in Nautilus

Configure your own shortcuts

I mentioned above I prefer to run a terminal over the run command. As far as I'm aware there is not already a shortcut for doing this (because of CTRL + ALT + F1-F6) so you can edit your preferences.

System > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts

Reference

• Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
• Ubuntu Forums
• Shortcut keys you might not know about
• Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts