Kubuntu Keyboard Shortcuts: The Full List

Kubuntu, the KDE Plasma edition of Ubuntu, ships with a powerful set of keyboard shortcuts that let you control windows, virtual desktops, the launcher, and system functions without touching the mouse. This article lists the default shortcuts, explains how to customize them, and answers common questions about KDE’s shortcut system.

Default Shortcuts You Need to Know

These are the shortcuts that work out of the box in a standard Kubuntu installation. The most important ones are the Super key (the Windows key) and Alt+Tab.

• Super – Opens the Application Launcher (Kickoff).
• Alt+Tab – Switch between open windows on the current desktop.
• Ctrl+Esc – Opens the System Activity monitor (like Task Manager).
• Ctrl+Alt+Esc – Select a window to force-close it (useful for hung apps).
• Ctrl+Alt+L – Lock the screen.
• Print Screen – Take a screenshot of the whole screen.
• Alt+Print Screen – Screenshot the active window.
• Shift+Print Screen – Select an area to screenshot.
• Ctrl+F10 – Open the window menu (same as right-clicking the title bar).
• Ctrl+F12 – Show the desktop (minimize all windows).
• Super+Arrow Keys – Tile the window to the left/right half of the screen.
• Super+Up/Down – Maximize or restore/minimize the window.

These are just the defaults. KDE lets you change almost every one of them, and even add new ones.

How KDE Shortcuts Work

KDE Plasma uses a component called KGlobalAccel to manage global shortcuts (those that work even when an app is focused). Application-specific shortcuts are defined by the app itself and can be changed in the app’s settings. The system settings module Shortcuts (under Workspace) is where you manage global shortcuts.

There are two types of shortcuts in KDE:

• Global shortcuts – Work system-wide, like switching desktops or locking the screen.
• Application shortcuts – Work only when that app is active, like Ctrl+C to copy in a text editor.

When you press a key combination, KDE first checks if it’s a global shortcut. If not, it passes it to the focused application. This is why some shortcuts seem to “not work” in certain apps – the app may have its own binding that overrides the global one.

Customizing Your Shortcuts

To change a shortcut, follow these steps:

1. Open System Settings from the launcher.
2. Go to Shortcuts (under Workspace).
3. Browse the list of actions (e.g., “Kickoff”, “Switch to Desktop 1”, “Lock Session”).
4. Click the action, then click the Custom button (or the shortcut key itself) and press the new combination.
5. Click Apply.

You can also assign multiple shortcuts to the same action. For example, you can have both Super and Ctrl+Escape open the launcher. To remove a shortcut, click the None button.

For application-specific shortcuts (like in Kate or Dolphin), open the app’s Settings > Configure Shortcuts menu. This is where you can change Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, etc., for that app only.

Virtual Desktops and Window Tiling

KDE Plasma has a robust virtual desktop system that is heavily used by power users. The default shortcuts are:

• Ctrl+F1 to Ctrl+F4 – Switch to desktop 1-4.
• Ctrl+Alt+Right/Left – Move to the next/previous desktop.
• Ctrl+Shift+F1 etc. – Move the current window to that desktop.
• Super+Shift+Arrow – Move the window to the next/previous desktop (if you have “Desktop Grid” enabled).

Window tiling is also powerful. Besides the Super+Arrow keys, you can use Super+Shift+Arrow to move a tiled window to another monitor (if you have multiple). The tiling behavior can be customized in System Settings > Window Management > Window Rules or via the KWin Scripts for more advanced tiling layouts.

Common Problems and Fixes

Here are the most frequent issues people run into with Kubuntu shortcuts and how to solve them.

• Shortcut doesn’t do anything – Check if it’s a global shortcut. If it’s an app shortcut, the app may have it disabled. Also, check if NumLock/CapsLock is interfering (rare but possible).
• Shortcut conflicts with another action – KDE will warn you when you assign an already-used shortcut. You can either choose a different one or override the existing.
• Super key opens the launcher but also triggers something else – Some apps (like games or virtual machines) capture the Super key. You can disable the global Super shortcut in System Settings and use a different key.
• Shortcuts are reset after upgrade – This can happen if you switch from a different desktop environment or if your config files are corrupted. You can back up your shortcuts by copying ~/.config/kglobalshortcutsrc.
• Alt+Tab doesn’t show thumbnails – The default switcher is “Compact”. You can change it to “Thumbnail” or “Grid” in System Settings > Window Management > Task Switcher.

Advanced Tips and Hidden Gems

Beyond the basics, KDE has some less-known shortcuts that can boost your productivity:

• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Arrow – Move the current window to a different desktop and switch to it.
• Meta+W – Open the “Desktop Grid” overview (if you enable it in System Settings > Window Management > Desktop Effects).
• Meta+D – Show desktop (same as Ctrl+F12).
• Ctrl+Shift+Escape – Open System Activity directly (without the confirmation dialog).
• Alt+F2 – Open KRunner, the quick launcher. Type a command or search for files.
• Ctrl+Alt+T – Open a terminal (if you set it up in Shortcuts).

You can also create custom shortcuts that run commands. In System Settings > Shortcuts, click Edit > New > Global Shortcut > Command, then assign a key and type the command to run.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I reset all shortcuts to default?

Open System Settings > Shortcuts, click the Reset button at the bottom. This will restore all global shortcuts to their default values. For application shortcuts, you’ll need to reset each app individually in its own settings.

Why doesn’t my custom shortcut work?

First, check if the shortcut is already used by another action. KDE will warn you, but you might have missed it. Also, some apps have their own shortcuts that take priority. Try the shortcut in a different app to see if it’s app-specific. Finally, make sure you clicked Apply after setting it.

Can I use the same shortcut for different actions in different apps?

Yes. Global shortcuts are system-wide, but application shortcuts are per-app. So you can have Ctrl+Shift+A mean “Select All” in one app and “Add Bookmark” in another. Global shortcuts will always override app shortcuts if they conflict.

How do I create a shortcut that runs a script?

Go to System Settings > Shortcuts, click Edit > New > Global Shortcut > Command. Name it, assign a key, and in the Command field type the full path to your script (e.g., /home/user/bin/myscript.sh). You can also use krunner to run a command by typing it after Alt+F2.

What is the difference between “Global” and “Application” shortcuts?

Global shortcuts work regardless of which app is focused, like volume control or switching desktops. Application shortcuts only work when that app is active, like Ctrl+C to copy. You manage global shortcuts in System Settings, and app shortcuts in each app’s own configuration.

Is there a way to see all shortcuts at a glance?

Yes. In most KDE apps, you can press Ctrl+Shift+/ (or Ctrl+Shift+?) to open a searchable list of shortcuts. For global shortcuts, you can use KRunner (Alt+F2) and type “shortcuts” to open the settings page directly.

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