Show Desktop Keyboard Shortcut for Linux
Did you just switch to Linux and realise that pressing Win Key + D shortcut doesn’t take you to the desktop? Yes, by default this keyboard shortcut for ‘Show Desktop’ doesn’t work in Linux.
Show Desktop Shortcut for the Gnome Desktop
By default, Gnome should come with a Show Desktop icon. Look for it. You can also use CTRL + ALT + D shortcut on your Gnome Desktop to bring the Desktop View.
If you’re too used to the Win+D shortcut, there’s a way you can enable it to act as the ‘Show Desktop’ shortcut. Here’s how you can make Win+D to show up the desktop for you:
Just fire up the shell, and enter the following command:
$ gconftool-2 -t str –set /apps/metacity/global_keybindings/show_desktop “d”
That’s it. Press Win + D keyboard shortcut, and you’re taken to the desktop instantly.
Show Desktop for the KDE Desktop
The same CTRL+ALT+D key works on KDE as well, or you can add a panel (if it’s not there already) by right clicking on the panel, clicking on ‘Add’ >> ‘Special Buttons’ >> ‘Desktop Access’. Drag the button and place it anywhere on the panel.
I’m not sure of how to go about changing the shortcut combination in KDE, let me know in the comments if anyone has got a solution to this.
Techblissonline Dot Com
February 4th, 2008 at 1:37 am #
so shankar, r u using linux desktop ?
Reply to this comment
Shankar Ganesh
February 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am #
Yeah, I’m on Ubuntu right now.
Reply to this comment
inna
February 4th, 2008 at 6:34 pm #
Thank You for nice responding and a timely theme
of this post.
Reply to this comment
Magie
February 4th, 2008 at 8:36 pm #
Linux is new to me…So, this post is really useful as I don’t know much about Linux right now. Thanks for the great info.
Reply to this comment
Jake
February 6th, 2008 at 9:16 pm #
KDE:
1) Run KControl (Alt+f2, kcontrol if not in KMenu)
2) On the sidebar, go to Regional and Accessibility — Keyboard Shortcuts
3) Find “Toggle Showing Desktop” under Panel section. You can use the search for quicker finding.
From here, it should be self explanatory.
Sorry no easy command to insert though. :-\
Reply to this comment
Greg M
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm #
In KDE 4.3, open system settings. Click Keyboard & Mouse, global keyboard shortcuts, change kde component to plasma workspace, click “show dashboard.” Enable the default setting or choose your own.
Reply to this comment