XFCE: Switch windows in Unity-like way (Super+numberOfWindow)

Question

Is there any way to navigate between opened windows in Windows\Unity style (by pressing Super+ shortcut)?

Answer 1

I've achieved this by installing the DockbarX dock/panel. You can run DockbarX along with the standard XFCE ones, or install the DockbarX plugin so that you can add DockbarX to the XFCE panel. I'm not sure what the pros and cons are as I'm still test driving these.

I've setup DockbarX to be vertical on the left (just like in Unity). When you now open an application, its icon will appear. You can then right click it and pin it. Now you have basically the same setup as Unity.

In the XFCE window manager settings unbind the Super+1, Super+2, ... keys so as to allow DockbarX to have them available. Now you can press Super+1 for the top icon etc.

DockbarX has some additional features you might like.

Just do a Google search for : XFCE DockbarX and read some of the guides.

Answer 2

This is not a perfect way to do it, but it works for me.

You need to get the package wmctrl from your package manager.

sudo apt-get install wmctrl

Now open the keyboard shortcuts dialog by navigating Start>>Settings>>Settings Manager>>Keyboard>>Application Shortcuts.

Click the "Add" button on the bottom left of the inner pane. Now for the command, type

sh -c 'wmctrl -a {win title} || {cmd}'

where cmd is the command you type to open the program and win title is the part of the programs window title that is specific to that program, such as "Mozilla Firefox" or "Skype".

Now you can assign that shortcut to any key you like, particularly the Unity key you were used to before.

Answer 3

Check my answer on askubuntu: https://askubuntu.com/a/274231/44099

Together with xbindkeys, it works like a charm. No need for Unity ;)