Keyboard shortcuts in Ubuntu help users perform tasks quickly without relying on the mouse. They improve productivity by enabling faster navigation, window management and terminal operations. Learning these shortcuts allows users to interact with the system more efficiently.
- Reduce dependency on mouse actions for common tasks
- Speed up navigation across applications and workspaces
- Improve terminal productivity with quick command execution
- Simplify window and file management operations
- Useful for both beginners and advanced Linux users
Shortcuts for Ubuntu
The shortcuts mentioned below can help a user in a great way and can be very useful for doing anything.
Essential Shortcuts
SHORTCUT | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|
ctrl + Alt+ t | Open Terminal |
Super (Windows key) + A | Show application |
Alt + tab | Switch between open application |
Ctrl + shift+ N | Create a new folder |
Super (Windows key) + L | Lock screen (default in modern Ubuntu) |
Ctrl + Alt + L | Lock screen (may work in older versions) |
Terminal Shortcut
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Cancel current command |
| Ctrl + L | Clear terminal screen |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Open a new terminal tab |
| Ctrl + R | Search command history (reverse search) |
| Tab | Auto-complete commands and file names |
Window Management
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Super + Up Arrow | Maximize window |
| Super + Down Arrow | Minimize/Restore window |
| Super + Left Arrow | Tile window to the left |
| Super + Right Arrow | Tile window to the right |
| Alt + F4 | Close current window |
System Navigation
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Super | Open Activities Overview |
| Super + S | Often opens search or quick settings (varies by version) |
| PrtSc | Capture entire screen |
| Alt + PrtSc | Capture current window |
| Shift + PrtSc | Capture selected area |
| Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow | Switch to workspace above |
| Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow | Switch to workspace below |
| Super + D | Show desktop |
File Management
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + C | Copy selected files |
| Ctrl + V | Paste copied files |
| Ctrl + X | Cut selected files |
| Delete | Move selected files to trash |
| Ctrl + Z | Undo last action |
Advanced Workspace Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow | Switch to workspace on the left |
| Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow | Switch to workspace on the right |
| Shift + Super + Page Up | Move current window to previous workspace |
| Shift + Super + Page Down | Move current window to next workspace |
| Super + Home | Move window to primary monitor/workspace |