How to Customize Hotkey Shortcuts in KDE

Much thanks to Richard L. for submitting this information




Many people shy away from using "hotkeys", i.e. keyboard shortcuts because the defaults are hard to memorize, requiring most of the time three keys and involving what I call awkward "finger gymnastics".

Good news! In KDE it is easy to make your own keyboard shortcuts that are comfortable for your fingers.

Here's how:

Open up the Launch/Start Menu and click on Control Center. To the left, click on Look and Feel, then click on Shortcuts (the icon is several keys). Most of the defaults are three or four keys, some combining the CTRL, ALT, SHIFT keys with the function keys at the very top ("finger gymnastics").

These can be simplified to only two keys that are closer to one another. (Beware: avoid using the CTRL key though since many common commands use it for cutting, pasting, and many others).

I like to use the neglected Windows key + a Letter for shortcuts. If you don't have a Windows key conveniently placed on the bottom row (such as Toshiba laptops), then you can use the Alt key + a Letter.

Here are some steps and examples:

*Make sure the tab labeled Global Shortcuts is in focus, i.e. active.*

1. Let's say you want to open the Run Command window, whose default is Alt + F2. This can be changed quite easily to Win + R. To do so, highlight under Desktop "Execute Command". Near the bottom is "Shortcut for Selected Action" where the active radio button is either "None" or "Default" (in this example it is "Default" }. Activate Custom, then click in the square where you see Alt + F2. A new window opens up. As soon as this new window opens, don't touch your mouse. Instead, press your new key combination, such as Win + R (no need to capitalize the "r" with the shift key). You will now see that next to Execute Command is Win + R. At the bottom right of the window, click Apply.
Now try your shortcut key. Press Win+R and the "Run Command" Window comes up.

2. Now scroll down to the Windows category. Sometimes to close a window CTRL + Q (for quit) works, but when that doesn't work, the old standby is ALT + F4. To make it easier, change it to Win + Q. (or Alt + Q). It'll close a window every time.

Some ideas for customized shortcuts: (You could use the Alt key or Mac's Option key instead of the Windows key):

To minimize/'iconify" a window: Win +M (or Win + N)
To maximize a window: Win + X
Window maximize horizontal: Win + H
Window maximize vertical: Win + V
Window operations menu: Alt + Spacebar (much easier than Alt + F3)
Window shade: Win + S or Win + A

Let's say you want to open up applications or programs with keyboard shortcuts. This is easy, too.

Right click on the Launch/Start Menu (where the K over the cog wheel or the Red Hat Fedora is) and choose Menu Editor.

[NOTE: If you are using Mandrake, MenuDrake does not allow you to make keyboard shortcuts for applications.]

Let's say you want to use a keyboard shortcut to open up OpenOffice.org Writer.

I'm using Red Hat as an example, but this works in KDE Menu Editor in any distribution.

In Red Hat you will locate Writer (the Word Processor) under Office. Click on the + sign to the left of Office to open up this category. Now highlight OpenOffice.org Writer. In the lower right side is a small box that says "None". Click on it then make your keyboard shortcut by pressing your key combination, such as Win + W. Click "Apply" directly below. Now try out your Keyboard shortcut and Writer should open up. If you prefer, you could use "Alt + W" if "Win+ W" is assigned elsewhere.

Explore the Menu Editor to make more shortcuts to launch your favorite programs/applications.

Have fun!