Pretty much in the title, the only time I interact with the windows key in its standard operating condition is getting pissed off that the start menu opened. I use it in other capacities such as taking screen shots and other key commands but I got to wondering if anyone, ever actually uses it to access the start menu.
Also if anyone comes here and posts “dOnT uSe wINdoWs,” you really are cute.
Edit: I am more curious if anyone actually gets utility out of its default behavior (opening the start menu). I am aware that it is used in a number of key commands (although some are new to me).
Constantly. I’m a keyboard shortcut junky. I use it with several different key combos. The fact that the “super key” works slightly differently in Pop OS kind of drives me crazy. I really need to figure out how to remap it so it’s closer to the same.
Edit: I should clarify that I also use it to bring up the stupid Windows menu all the time, too. Then I will search for whatever app I’m looking for. I have turned off web searching with it, though.
Even though most-frequently used apps are pinned, there are still quite a few others that I need semi-regularly but not enough to earn a pin.
Yeah I expect the windows snapping to work with the super key… I need to figure something out. I need my tiling!
Yes! I will complain about MS WIndows all day…but they did do a few things right and this is one of them.
I use it as a modifier chorded with another key in Linux for a number of things, like switching workspaces, opening a terminal or browser window, resizing windows, existing the graphical environment, locking the system, toggling floating windows, starting application launchers, toggling a window’s fullscreen state, or toggling playing music. I think that as a modifier key, it’s fine. I don’t have tapping it alone do anything, and in general, don’t like single-key operations like that; ditto for F-key operations.
It sounds like one can disable the tap-Windows-key-alone behavior on Windows via the autohotkey macro software package:
I have removed the key cap on my home keyboard. It’s still possible to press but you won’t accidentally fumble it when you hit ctl or alt.
Yes, it’s one of the most useful keys. I haven’t used file explorers for applications in forever. Hit the Windows key, type a couple letters of the program you want, hit enter.
Also you can do Win+E to open the Windows Explorer.
All the time. For shortcuts and opening programs.
I hit the windows key, type and hit enter to open programs a lot. I literally have no desktop icons showing, I don’t like the look and taking my hands off the keyboard to click stuff takes longer anyways.
I also do windows + number to open/switch to pinned programs a lot.
Hell yes. I’m not taking the time go move my hand to the mouse, find the cursor with my eyes, move the mouse and then move hands back to type. That’s asinine.
Well once upon a time xp through 7 at least clicking start menu and starting to type the name of an app worked really well rather than resulting in some weird as web search opened in edge searching for no reason for what you had typed. I’m 100% sure there is some 3rd party launcher that still works as well as the start menu did before they ruined it. If I still used it I would probably install that.
The App menu in Cinnamon (Linux Mint) Also has the same binding and like older windows actually works well too.
In most linux tiling managers it is used with directional keys to nav windows and desktops.
I use a “normal” keyboard with a MacBook. I’ve rebound LAlt to be CMD and the Win key to be Option (to better mimic the MacBook keyboard). So theoretically I am using the Win key A LOT, just not for the intended usage.
nope, never. not even on windows boxes
As others have said, I use it mainly for the search function to start programs as well as many shortcuts. I’ve seen others mention screenshots and locking, but here are a few more:
- Win+. - Opens the special symbols/emoji windows
- Win+ left or right arrow - Snaps a window to the left or right half of the screen, respectively. Up arrow maximizes, down minimizes.
- Win+r - Opens the run dialog
- Win+v - Opens clipboard history (history is off by default, it will ask you to enable it the first time you use the shortcut)
- Win+x - Opens the ‘quick link’ menu (Power Options, Event Viewer, System, Device Manager, Network Connections, Disk Management, Computer Management, and Command Prompts
- As a bonus, my favorite windows shortcut is Ctrl+Win+Alt+Shift+L, which opens linkedin in in a new browser tab.
A full list can be found here: windows key shortcuts
Windows E opens windows Explorer, I used that all the time for work, I use the keyboard more than the mouse.
The one I use most is windows+shift+s for the snipping tool!
I set print screen as the shortcut for single button access.
The only time I used it is when I wanted to bring up emoji easier without copy and pasting them from a website. Otherwise I prefer to just click because I can’t bother remembering all of the shortcuts. Since then I’ve changed the OS.
Win + L to lock
Win + D to minimise all windows
Win + arrow key to snap window to half a screen
Win +shift+s to get snapshots
Win +r to get to run command, generally for opening applications in safe mode
Win to quickly start search for apps or settings
Hot key Moving a game from monitor to monitor is pretty much impossible otherwise I thought.
