25 Useful Ubuntu Shortcuts To Make your Life Easier

Window Management

Note: Some shortcuts might require Compiz enabled on your Ubuntu system.

Switch Workspaces in Ubuntu (win + E)

1. Win+E - Shows all workspaces in a nifty way and lets you switch between workspaces easily.

2. Alt+Ctrl+Left/Right Arrow – Move to Workspace on Left/Right

3. Alt+Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right Arrow – Move current window to another workspace

4. Alt + Shift+ Up Arrow – This initiates a cool looking window switcher interface with which you can switch between windows using Arrow keys while holding Alt + Shift

Ubuntu Window Switcher (Alt + Shift+ Up Arrow)

5. Alt+F9/F10 – Minimize/ Maximize current window

6. Alt+F5 – UnMaximizes Current Window

7. Alt+F7 – This shortcut activates the move window option that lets you move current window using arrow keys. You can even move window to other workspace, try moving it to extreme right.

8. Alt+F8 – Resize current window with arrow keys

9. Ctrl + Alt + D – Show Desktop/ Restore open windows if show desktop used earlier

10. Alt+Shift+Tab – Switch Windows in Reverse Direction as done using Alt+Tab

Nautilus

11. Shift+Ctrl+N – Create New Folder, Very useful shortcut

12. Alt + Enter – Show properties of a selected file/folder without requiring to right click on it and select Properties.

13. Ctrl + 1/2 – Change folder view to icon/list.

14. Ctrl + W – close current Nautilus Window

15. Ctrl + Shift + W – close all open Nautilus Windows

16. Ctrl+T – Open a new tab in Nautilus

17. Alt + Up/Down Arrow – Move to Parent Folder/ Selected folder

18. Alt + Left/Right Arrow – Move Back/forward in Nautilus

19. Alt + Home – Move directly to your Home Folder

20. F9 – Toggle display of Nautilus Sidepane

21. Ctrl + H – Toggle Display of hidden files and folders

Miscellaneous

22. Ctrl + Alt + L - Quick shortcut to Lock Screen if you need to be away from your desktop for few moments and don’t want others to see your desktop.

23. Alt + F1 – Open Applications Menu

24. Alt + F2 – Open the Run Application dialog Box

25. Win + Mousewheel – Zoom in / Zoom out Desktop. This one’s pretty useful if you are having a wireless keyboard/mouse.

I hope these shortcuts will make your life easier doing routine repetitive tasks and make you more productive using your Ubuntu System.