Keyboard shortcuts

Using the Dash and the Launcher

Tap Meta

Open the Dash. Tap again to close.

The Dash opens with focus on the search box to find applications and files. Using the arrow keys will navigate the results; use Enter to launch.

Hold Meta

Reveal the launcher.

Meta+1

Start the first launcher item or switches to it if it is already running. If Shift is also pressed, will open a new window.

Meta+2

Start the second launcher item or switches to it if it is already running. This pattern continues until Meta+0 which opens the tenth item.

Alt+F1

Open the launcher. Use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to start or switch to an application.

Alt+F2

Open the Dash in a special mode to run commands that you type in. Press Enter to run the current command. You can also use the arrow keys to choose a different command and press Enter to run it.

Meta+A

Open the Applications lens.

Meta+F

Open the Files and folders lens.

Meta+T

Open the Trash.

Ctrl+Alt+T

Open the Terminal.

Alt

Reveal the Application Menu. Alt+F opens the File menu.

F10

Open the menu. Use the arrow keys to navigate. You can also access the indicator menus.

Getting around the desktop

Alt+F4

Close the current window.

Alt+F10

Maximize the current window. If the window is already maximized, unmaximize it.

Alt+Tab

Quickly switch between windows. Hold down Shift for reverse order.

Meta+D

Hide all windows and show the desktop. Press the keys again to restore your windows.

Meta+S

Activate the workspace switcher. Zoom out on all workspaces.

Meta+W

Activate "Expo" mode. Show all windows from all workspaces.

Shift+Alt+

Activate "Expo" mode. Show all windows from current workspace.

Ctrl+Alt+Arrow keys

Switch between workspaces.

Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Arrow keys

Move the current window to a different workspace.

Ctrl+Alt+L

Lock the screen.

Common editing shortcuts

Ctrl+A

Select all text or items in a list.

Ctrl+X

Cut (remove) selected text or items and place it on the clipboard.

Ctrl+C

Copy selected text or items to the clipboard.

Ctrl+V

Paste the contents of the clipboard.

Ctrl+Z

Undo the last action.

Capturing from the screen

Print Screen

Take a screenshot.

Alt+Print Screen

Take a screenshot of the active window.