Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME like Unity (with Microsoft Windows Keyboard Shortcuts)

2021-03-18T22:04:27Z

Glyn: Glyn moved page Ubuntu 18.04 Gnome like Unity (with Microsoft Windows Keyboard Shortcuts) to Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME like Unity (with Microsoft Windows Keyboard Shortcuts) without leaving a redirect: GNOME not Gnome

Some tweaks I learned about to make Ubuntu 18.04 Gnome behave more like Unity did, for those with 'muscle memory'.

= Prerequisites =

The following requirements need to be installed first:

# Open a Terminal window;
# Type:
## sudo apt install gnome-tweaks dconf-editor
# Accept installation of these and any dependencies;

= Unity (Compiz) Spread Mode =

Open Gnome Tweak Tool (called just 'Tweaks' in the Application Launcher.

# Navigate to ''''Top Bar'''';
# Enable ''''Activities Overview Hot Corner'''';
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply.

Moving the mouse and holding pushed into the upper-left corner will spread out all windows.

= Unity Application Launcher top-left =

Open DConf Editor (called 'dconf Editor' in the Application Launcher).

# Navigate to '''org / gnome / shell / extensions / dash-to-dock''';
# Set value ''''show-apps-at-top'''' to ''''On'''';
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply.

= Unity Windows controls left =

Open DConf Editor.

# Navigate to '''org / gnome / desktop / wm / preferences / button-layout''';
# Click '''Use default value''' to '''Off''';
# Change '''Custom value''' from "''':minimize,maximize,close'''" to "'''close,minimize,maximize:'''" (note the ''':''' colon and how you can specify the ordering to suit);
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply.

= Task Switcher show all (ungroup) applications =

By default the '''<Alt> + <Tab>''' Task Switcher function groups together similar application windows, such as Terminal sessions. The following makes the Task Switcher show all open applications.

Open DConf Editor.

# Navigate to '''org / gnome / desktop / vm / keybindings / switch-applications'''
# Click '''Use default value''' to '''Off''';
# Remove ''''<Alt>Tab'''' leaving just '''['<Super>Tab']''';
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply;
# Navigate to '''org / gnome / desktop / vm / keybindings / switch-applications-backward'''
# Click '''Use default value''' to '''Off''';
# Remove ''''<Shift><Alt>Tab'''' leaving just '''['<Shift><Super>Tab']''';
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply;
# Navigate to '''org / gnome / desktop / vm / keybindings / switch-windows'''
# Click '''Use default value''' to '''Off''';
# Insert '''['<Alt>Tab']''';
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply;
# Navigate to '''org / gnome / desktop / vm / keybindings / switch-windows-backward'''
# Click '''Use default value''' to '''Off''';
# Insert '''['<Shift><Alt>Tab']''';
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply;

= Gnome with Windows Shortcuts =

If, like me, you're accustomed to the Windows ways of <Windows Key> + <M> for minimize all to desktop you'll find it opens the Message Tray (center-top drop-down with Calendar and Activities) instead. The actual key combination is set to <Super> + <D> ('Super' being the Linux term for 'Windows Key', because, reasons).

== Message Tray ==

The first thing that needs changing is the key binding presently assuming the <Super> + <M> combination. Open DConf Editor (called 'dconf Editor' in the Application Launcher).

# Navigate to '''org / gnome / shell / keybindings / toggle-message-tray''';
# Set ''''Use default value'''' to ''''Off'''';
# Edit the ''''Custom value'''' box to contain just '''['<Super>t']''' (including the square brackets, per the original content);
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply.

'''Note:''' The <Super> + <T> combination was selected partly because it still reflects the 'T' of 'Message Tray' (or 'Tasks') and because it appears unassigned to any other use.

== Minimize All ==

Still within DConf Editor and <Super> + <M> freed-up in the previous steps:

# Navigate to '''org / gnome / desktop / wm / keybindings / show-desktop''';
# Set ''''Use default value'''' to ''''Off'''';
# Edit the ''''Custom value'''' box to contain just '''['<Super>m']''' (including the square brackets, per the original content);
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply.

== 'Start / Run' ==

Continuing the Windows-learned key behaviours, <Windows> + <R> for 'Start / Run' is another memory muscle go-to combination.

Once again, within DConf Editor:

# Navigate to '''org / gnome / shell / keybindings / toggle-application-view''';
# Set ''''Use default value'''' to ''''Off'''';
# Edit the ''''Custom value'''' box to contain just '''['<Super>r']''' (including the square brackets, per the original content);
# Click on the tick-box icon on the lower edge of the window to apply.

This will be the equivalent of clicking on the Application Launcher; however, you can start typing in commands and the text-box automatically gains focus.

== File Explorer ==

On Windows the File Explorer can be opened with the <Super> + <E> combination.

This time, within Settings:

# Navigate to '''Devices''';
# Click on '''Keyboard''';
# Scroll all the way down to a '''"+"''' ('plus') sign and click on it;
# Fill in the following:
## '''Name:''' File Manager;
## '''Command:''' nautilus -w;
## '''Shortcut:''' (click '''Set Shortcut...''') and press <Super> + <E>;
## Click '''Add'''.

'''Notes:''' 'Name' can be anything you prefer; while 'nautilus' is the default Gnome file manager, it can be substituted for your preferred alternative tool. The use of the '-w' parameter causes Nautilus to open as a new window, mirroring the Windows behaviour.

== Lock Screen ==

Thankfully this one is already catered for, so nothing to do here!

[[Category:Ubuntu 18.04 LTS]]

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Ubuntu 18.04 GNOME like Unity (with Microsoft Windows Keyboard Shortcuts)