GNOME 3 Ctrl+Alt+D (Show Desktop)

I recently upgraded my system to GNOME 3. In previous versions of GNOME, the key combination Ctrl+Alt+D would hide all open windows and show the Desktop. This shortcut was eliminated from GNOME 3 along with the concept of a Desktop. The Desktop metaphor does, however, exist in GNOME 3 "fallback mode" (which I am using).

I would like to reinstate the Ctrl+Alt+D keyboard shortcut. I know at least two ways of creating key combinations in GNOME. One is through System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts, and the other is through gconf-editor > apps > metacity. From either of these environments, I can pair a command with the key combination Ctrl+Alt+D. The problem is that I don't know what command will trigger a "Show Desktop" event. Could someone enlighten me?

user001

Posted 2012-02-01T05:33:41.967

Reputation: 2 074

Answers

System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts > Navigation > Hide all normal windows

Click the second field which says Disabled and type in a key combination of choice (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+D).

System restart may be required for changes to take effect.

user001

Posted 2012-02-01T05:33:41.967

Reputation: 2 074

Are you using gnome3? If yes, you can go to the system settings -> keyboard -> shortcuts (if i'm not mistaken). Under one of the categories on the left, you should be able to set your own shortcut.

spirit walker

Posted 2012-02-01T05:33:41.967

Reputation: 31

1I recently upgraded to gnome3 but am now using fallback mode. Do you know what command will 'show desktop'? Another place I could do this is gconf-editor, but again I don't know what command to give. Thanks. – user001 – 2012-02-01T15:20:12.703

I'm relatively new at answering q's and unsure if this would provide any help but did you try Windows Key+D. Here's the URL that I found pretty helpful: http://www.raizlabs.com/blog/29/keyboard-shortcut-dictionary-and-glossary-ctrl-shift-alt-f1

Christopher Chipps

Posted 2012-02-01T05:33:41.967

Reputation: 752

Thank you very much. I think that list is intended for Windows users. Probably I should have been more clear that I'm on a linux box. – user001 – 2012-02-01T05:51:49.237

Super + D is what does I have it set to in openbox. You should add that you're using gnome3 to your question. – Rob – 2012-02-02T15:16:04.963

Ctrl + Alt + M... is what I have to "hide all normal windows"... I am using Fallback mode in fedora 17, because I started to experience some flakiness with normal Gnome 3... which I like, btw, but I would have dialog boxes pop up all black and stuff... can't work with that.

bbneo

Posted 2012-02-01T05:33:41.967

Reputation: 1