Mapping the "Windows" key in Gnome

Hi,
I want to use the Windows key for several keyboard shortcuts (e.g. Win+E to open Nautilus). By default it's not working. I found a solution described on the wiki: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/GN … ows.22_key
I applied it, and it works ... but not quite. It's quite a strange behaviour.
The following works:
1. Press the "Windows" key and keep it pressed
2. Press the E key
3. Release the E key
4. Release the "Windows" key
The following does not work:
1. Press the "Windows" key and keep it pressed
2. Press the E key
3. Release the "Windows" key
4. Release the E key
Has anybody experienced something like this? Any idea what's wrong here?
Razvan
Last edited by roti (2013-06-06 20:58:13)

What happens if you just press and release the 'Windows' key on its own? I seem to recall a similar issue a long time ago, and I think it turned out that the 'Windows' key alone was activating the hotkey function.

Similar Messages

How do you override the WINDOWS key?

I'm writing or rather rewriting a game. I would like to override the windows key to do some function in the game without invoking the windows menu. Is this possible, and if so how?
Below is a sample bit of code I used to see what key codes, locations, and events were fired while pressing various keys. I made the key pressed/typed/released methods consume the events in an attempt to block the windows menu from coming up. I tried using a KeyEventDispatcher to catch all key events and consume them there, but it still displays the windows menu (on Windows 2000 at least).
I have searched the forums and the all mighty Google to no avail. Please help me if you can. Thank you.
import java.awt.Dimension;
import java.awt.KeyEventDispatcher;
import java.awt.event.KeyEvent;
import java.awt.event.KeyListener;
import java.awt.event.WindowAdapter;
import java.awt.event.WindowEvent;
import javax.swing.FocusManager;
import javax.swing.JFrame;
public class Test extends JFrame implements KeyListener, KeyEventDispatcher
public Test()
    this.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
    addWindowListener(new WindowAdapter()
      @Override
      public void windowClosing(WindowEvent windowEvent)
        System.exit(0); //close all windows and exit
    FocusManager.getCurrentManager().addKeyEventDispatcher(this);
    this.addKeyListener(this);
    this.pack();
public static void main(String[] arguments)
    Test frame;
    frame = new Test();
    frame.setTitle("Test Frame");
    frame.setPreferredSize(new Dimension(200,200));
    frame.invalidate();
    frame.pack();
    frame.setVisible(true);
// this doesn't stop windows key from being processed whether true or false
// if it is true the keyPressed, keyTyped, and keyReleased don't get called
public boolean dispatchKeyEvent(KeyEvent keyEvent)
    System.out.println("dispatchKeyEvent " + keyEvent);
    return true;
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent keyEvent)
    System.out.println("keyPressed " + keyEvent);
    keyEvent.consume();
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent keyEvent)
    System.out.println("keyReleased " + keyEvent);
    keyEvent.consume();
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent keyEvent)
    System.out.println("keyTyped " + keyEvent);
    keyEvent.consume();
}

Thanks for the reply. That is basically all I wanted to confirm. I wanted to allow the player to redefine the windows key to some game specific command. I can do this for all of the other keys I was able to test except for that one.
If someone uses it on something other than windows they can redefine any key that maps to one of theirs. Since I don't have any alternate systems or keyboards to test on I won't bother making other keyboard configurations for the time being, if ever.

Disable the windows key?

Task manager can easily be disabled by changing a registry value. I also need to lock out the Windows keys. Since NI claims that LabVIEW is Part 11 compliant, I would have assumed that this function would be standard but I digress.
I have found the registry value but for some reason, the value does not get written into the registry correctly:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout]
"Scancode Map"=hex:00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,03,00,00,00,00,00,5B,E0,00,00,5C,E0,00,00,00,00
I have also tried to write the binary value (0000 0000 0000 0000 0300 0000 0000 5BE0 0000 5CE0 0000 0000) as well with no luck.
Any ideas??
Thanks all!
Message Edited by ScooterInMN on 12-17-2008 10:20 AM
Solved!
Go to Solution.

Thanks to you I have no windows key (until I reboot ). Change the setting for the string const. Then you can write pure hex values. Go to the msdn web site and cut and paste the values .Worked for me. Then I came to work today I had no windows key
Besides which, my opinion is that Express VIs Carthage must be destroyed deleted
(Sorry no Labview "brag list" so far)
Attachments:
sample.PNG ‏43 KB

Mapping the "fn" key to a key on an external extended keyboard

Is it possible to map the "fn" key found on Macbooks to a key (such as the RH Control Key) on the current Apple extended keyboard?
I use an extended keyboard with my Macbook Pro and wish to have access to the fn functions like I do on the Macbook's keyboard.
Thanks.

Oh my gosh I can't believe it you are right - there it is under F13 staring at me.
I have had so many years of that being the "help" key that I didn't notice it had changed on the new aluminium keyboards.
Thank you for pointing it out.

Repurpose the O-Key on the windpad 110W to act as the windows key

Hello everyone,
I have spent the last two weeks of my spare time to write a piece of software that you can run on your windpad 110W in order to repurpose the O-Key, which normally makes o-easy.exe visible, to work as the windows key. Install it, log out, log in again, change to the desktop and then press the O-Key, it will flip you forth and back between metro and desktop, just like the windows key from an ordinary keyboard (or the windows sensor key from my surface with windows rt).
I will not accept bug reports from people who complain that it doesn't work right after login without having invoked the desktop at least once. This doesn't even work if you have a USB keyboard attached to a Windows 8 box. Apart from that, let me know if you like it or not and whether it works for you or not. It comes with full source code and is distributed under the terms and conditions of GPL version 3. And it is digitally signed! Wow.
I almost forgot to tell: The name of the project is "So-Lazy". So google for the terms "so-lazy" and "windpad" and you should find it.
Stefan

Quote from: sku on 01-December-12, 18:41:53
I didn't mean that it doesn't work with a USB keyboard attached to it. I just initially thought, that immediately after logging in, when metro appears, a press on the button should get me to the desktop, and I spent a lot of time trying to find out why that doesn't work. After a while, I decided to try the same thing with a USB keyboard attached and found out that right after login, a press of the windows button doesn't get you to the desktop as well, so even with an ordinary keyboard you first have to type Windows-D to get to the desktop. But from then on you can flip between desktop and metro with the windows-key (or the o-key).
Anyone running Windows 8 x86 on the Windpad 110W and willing to try? I have only tested on x64 so far.
Stefan
Because the Windows key is actually not for toggling between "Metro" and "Desktop". It is for toggling between "Metro" and "Current screen". Before you do anything after login, the Metro is the only screen so nothing would happen by pressing the windows key

Changing the function of the 'windows' key

Hi, I somehow changed the 'windows' key from taking me directly to the start screen, to take me to the desktop instead. I do not remember how I did this and cannot find the setting. How can I change this back so that when I push the windows button on the keyboard and just below the screen it will take me first to the start screen?? Thank you in advanced!
Cheers,
Jon

Double check the system preferences for Speech and Universal Access to make sure this key did not get assigned as a trigger for a special function.

How to use the windows key (super or hiper) as a keystroke modifier?

I can associate the windows key (KeyEvent.VK_WINDOWS) as a regular key on a KeyStroke without problem.
It can be alone or with a modifier, like CTRL+WIN
KeyStroke.getKeyStroke( KeyEvent.VK_WINDOWS, InputEvent.CTRL_DOWN_MASK )My doubt is: Is there a way to use it as a modifier?
In other words, is it possible to create the KeyStroke using the windows key with any other? e.g. "WIN+K"
Thanks,
Henrique Abreu

Thanks a lot for the quick answer.
Your KeyboardCommands class doesn't do it (but gives the idea), because it can only trigger an action on one key (like KeyStroke, that handles key+modifier).
I could make big changes on it to add the functionality of triggering an event on a combination of keys, which would solve my problem.
Although this solution is not so good because we totally give up of actions in Swing, which I mean stuff like actionMaps, InputMaps WHEN_ANCESTOR_OF_FOCUSED_COMPONENT, etc.
If KeyStroke class really doesn't provide this (unbelievable!), I wonder if there is a way to extend and enhance it? (or AWTKeyStroke)
Can anyone say if its possible, before I go deep and find out that it isn't?
Another secondary question (that I think doesn't worth a new topic), what's the META_DOWN_MASK or META_MASK? or where is this key?
Henrique Abreu

How to map the F2 key on windows 7

I would like to map the F!...F9 keys on apple keyboard to the Windows F1...F9 functions

You turn the Java Console on in the Java Control Panel applet (Start Menu -> Control Panel -> Java -> Advanced tab -> Java Console).
Craig...

[SOLVED] Xorg reads F1 and F4 keys as the windows key (Super_L)

Hello, everyone.
I'm new to Arch and I really like it. I'm currently trying to configure i3 to switch workspaces with the function keys, but some of them (F1 and F4) are not working at all for some reason. I used xev to figure out what the problem was and I got the following result for F1:
KeyPress event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x600019, time 157637, (0,433), root:(687,449),
state 0x0, keycode 133 (keysym 0xffeb, Super_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False
KeyPress event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x600019, time 157641, (0,433), root:(687,449),
state 0x40, keycode 67 (keysym 0xffbe, F1), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False
KeyRelease event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x600019, time 157753, (0,433), root:(687,449),
state 0x40, keycode 67 (keysym 0xffbe, F1), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False
KeyRelease event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x600019, time 157763, (0,433), root:(687,449),
state 0x40, keycode 133 (keysym 0xffeb, Super_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False
This one's for F4:
KeyPress event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x0, time 392058, (-1,241), root:(686,257),
state 0x0, keycode 133 (keysym 0xffeb, Super_L), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes:
XFilterEvent returns: False
KeyPress event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x0, time 392062, (-1,241), root:(686,257),
state 0x40, keycode 33 (keysym 0x70, p), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (70) "p"
XmbLookupString gives 1 bytes: (70) "p"
XFilterEvent returns: False
KeyRelease event, serial 32, synthetic NO, window 0xc00001,
root 0x2b8, subw 0x0, time 392226, (-1,241), root:(686,257),
state 0x40, keycode 33 (keysym 0x70, p), same_screen YES,
XLookupString gives 1 bytes: (70) "p"
XFilterEvent returns: False
I think these keys shouldn't have two different outputs and I wasn't able to remap them with xmodmap because I can't find how to remove Super_L from them. This is the output of xmodmap with the pke option.
keycode 67 = F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 F1 XF86Switch_VT_1
keycode 68 = F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 F2 XF86Switch_VT_2
keycode 69 = F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 F3 XF86Switch_VT_3
keycode 70 = F4 F4 F4 F4 F4 F4 XF86Switch_VT_4
keycode 71 = F5 F5 F5 F5 F5 F5 XF86Switch_VT_5
keycode 72 = F6 F6 F6 F6 F6 F6 XF86Switch_VT_6
keycode 73 = F7 F7 F7 F7 F7 F7 XF86Switch_VT_7
keycode 74 = F8 F8 F8 F8 F8 F8 XF86Switch_VT_8
keycode 75 = F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 F9 XF86Switch_VT_9
The other function keys work properly, but some of them are hotkeys (I'm not sure if this can be related to the problem).
I would really appreciate your help.
Last edited by MexicanoTerco (2015-03-15 17:14:21)

Head_on_a_Stick wrote:
It could be a firmware (BIOS) issue -- my backlight function keys are very temperamental.
Are there any options in your firmware (BIOS) menu relating to function keys?
Also, is the a "Fn" (function?) modifier key on your keyboard? This is sometimes used to access the special functions on the F-keys.
There is indeed an "Action Keys Mode" option in my BIOS menu and it was enabled, so I disabled it. Now everything works perfectly.
I'm kind of embarrassed because this is the first time I notice that little option, but it solved my problem. Thank you very much!
Last edited by MexicanoTerco (2015-03-15 17:12:46)

Do the Thinkpads that come with SUSE Preloaded have the Windows Key?

I've ordered the R61 14.1" WS that comes preloaded with SUSE10.x. I am curious as to whether the keyboard will have a Windows shortcut key? I know for a fact that the windows shortcut key in SUSE performs a similar action (brings up the Application/Files Menu). I just would find it funny/silly/tragic/hilarious to see a MS Windows shortcut key on a Linux laptop

countcatula wrote:
I just would find it funny/silly/tragic/hilarious to see a MS Windows shortcut key on a Linux laptop
i think its no wonder u may find a logo key in ur laptop eventhough i dont use a laptop the windows logo key works on my suse10.x system as well so no surprises over there ofcourse!
and not to mention yeah it may be hilarious to see window specific keys working in linux
Cheers and regards,
• » νιנαｿѕαяα∂нι ѕαмανє∂αм ™ « •
●๋•کáŕádhí'ک díáŕý ツ
I am a volunteer here. I don't work for Lenovo

How to lose the window bars in Gnome 3?

I mainly use a amall screened netbook and I'd very much like to get rid of the window bars in Gnome3 as I find they use up too much space and I'd rather use the keyboard to close the open windows and move the windows.
I really don't know where to look, I can't make any sense of the theme's file in /usr/share/themes/Adwaita/...
[EDIT]
I'll answer myself, as it was fairly easy after all:
The file is divided in several parts, each with setting for maximized or non-maximized windows etc. To have maximized windows have no title bar add in the line starting with <frame_geometry name="max":
has_title="false"
You can also specify the size of the bar with
title_scale="xx-small"
Avaliable are x-small, small, large, x-large etc.
Last edited by barzam (2011-05-01 13:03:21)

barzam wrote:
I mainly use a amall screened netbook and I'd very much like to get rid of the window bars in Gnome3 as I find they use up too much space and I'd rather use the keyboard to close the open windows and move the windows.
I really don't know where to look, I can't make any sense of the theme's file in /usr/share/themes/Adwaita/...
[EDIT]
I'll answer myself, as it was fairly easy after all:
The file is divided in several parts, each with setting for maximized or non-maximized windows etc. To have maximized windows have no title bar add in the line starting with <frame_geometry name="max":
has_title="false"
You can also specify the size of the bar with
title_scale="xx-small"
Avaliable are x-small, small, large, x-large etc.
could please tell me what is the name of the file to edit it,
thanks,

HT204216 On Windows I used to hold the WINDOWS KEY plus the ARROW keys to manipulate window positions. How do I do that on Mountain Lion?

How does one manipultate windows via the keyboard.

This kind of functionality is not built into the OS. Specific applications may or may not do something like this, though I haven't seen it myself. I believe there are third party bits of software which add this kind of functionality to the OS. You might consider experimenting with the Universal Access preferences (in System Preferences) to enable some form of keyboard manipulation of the mouse which then could be used to move windows about.
charlie

How could I turn off the Command Key to Windows Key mapping in Remote Desktop for Mac 8

I'd like to be able to turn the Command key->Windows key mapping off. In this new app, whenever I use the Command key to initiate a Mac-side function, it registers a press of the Windows key within the Remote Desktop session. Speaking only
for myself, I use the Command Key for quite a lot of Mac operations, while my need and expectation for a Windows key press is zero.

I'd like to be able to turn the Command key->Windows key mapping off. In this new app, whenever I use the Command key to initiate a Mac-side function, it registers a press of the Windows key within the Remote Desktop session. Speaking
only for myself, I use the Command Key for quite a lot of Mac operations, while my need and expectation for a Windows key press is zero.
Agreed. Cannot stop it by disabling the "Windows" key (from within Windows 7). Every time I Cmd-Tab to change apps, the Start Menu pops up,
and persists, overlaying other app windows. Much more than annoying.
Also, there is no Clipboard Sharing, apparently. Love typing in long binary strings into the Registry.

Firefox menus and text have disappeared. Also, can I map Windows key?

I was using openbox for a while (couple of days) and then decided to switch to KDE. The switch went well and was pretty effortless. I opened Firefox and it still had that ugly "Raleigh" theme to it. Wanting it to look more like the rest of KDE, I checked out the wiki and found this: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/KD … plications
Upon following the following instructions to install and change themes to oxygen-gtk, my Firefox has no more text on it, basically (screencap below):
pacman -S oxygen-gtk
pacman -S gtk-kde4
gtk-kde4 ("System Settings > Lost and Found > GTK style")
Here's what firefox looks like: http://i52.tinypic.com/2r6cxdw.jpg
Interestingly enough, Konquerer wouldn't upload my pic for me (it crashed each time I tried), so I installed Chromium to upload it instead. It won't even start, but maybe the terminal output from running the "chromium" command may have something useful in it? It's missing some gtk-related items, but I don't know what they are nor how to fix the problem.
chromium
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:335: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-normal-c.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:337: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:344: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-prelight-c.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:346: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:353: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-active-c.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:355: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:362: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-insens-c.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:364: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:372: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-normal-sc.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:374: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:381: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-prelight-sc.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:383: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:390: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-active-sc.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:392: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:409: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-normal-se.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:411: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:418: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-prelight-se.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:420: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:427: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-active-se.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:429: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:446: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-normal-e.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:448: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:455: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-prelight-e.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:457: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:464: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-active-e.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:466: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:473: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Expander/expander-insens-e.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:475: Background image options specified without filename
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:935: Unable to locate image file in pixmap_path: "Shadows/text-entry-focused.png"
/usr/share/themes/qt4/gtk-2.0/gtkrc:938: Background image options specified without filename
[2895:2895:3655934306:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a family set
[2895:2895:3655934421:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a positive size
[2895:2895:3655941441:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a family set
[2895:2895:3655941497:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a positive size
[2895:2895:3655941528:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a family set
[2895:2895:3655941564:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a positive size
[2895:2895:3655944151:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a family set
[2895:2895:3655944200:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a positive size
[2895:2895:3655944229:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a family set
[2895:2895:3655944251:ERROR:browser_main.cc(970)] Gtk: Default font does not have a positive size
Segmentation fault
As for the other part of my topic, can I map my windows key to the start menu? If so, how? Thanks.

blackplague1347 wrote:As for the other part of my topic, can I map my windows key to the start menu? If so, how? Thanks.
As far as I know, KDE only allows the logo/mod4 key as a modifier in its keybindings. So you could do something like Mod4+Space, but not just Mod4.

How can I use the MS Windows Key in Linux

Hello!
I'm using KDE 4.3 and want to use the MS Windows Key to open the KDE start menu.
I tried to add the Windows Key by pressing as a "KDE Application Launcher" hotkey, but the window key wasn't accepted as a hotkey.
Is it possible to add this key as a hotkey?
Thanks for help!
Best regards,
Flasher

I have the following line in my .xinitrc:
/usr/bin/xmodmap -e "keycode 133 = F30" &
...where keycode 133 is my win key. I assign it to F30 (it can be any number besides 1-12, I guess), and then it's just a matter of configuring escape key (in your case, it'll be kde start menu) to F30.

Mapping the "Windows" key in Gnome

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for