Can I change a shortcut key to Windows key?

Question

I'm trying to change the shortcut key for "Run Application" ( Alt+F2 ) to the Windows key.

When I click "Show the panel's Run application dialog box" in Keyboard Shorcuts, it says "New Shortcut", waiting for my key combination. I press the Windows key… and nothing happens.

Answer 1

You can do this by running gconf-editor:

and navigate to

apps->metacity->global_keybindings->panel_run_dialog

and change it's value to "Super_L" or "Super_R"

If you want both to work at the same time, you have to assign Super_R to Super_L or vice versa.

Answer 2

try using xev command - my output after windows key pressed: If you can't see it name(Super_L in this case) you should map it. More info on archlinix wiki.

KeyPress event, serial 30, synthetic NO, window 0x4200001, root 0xb4, subw 0x0, time 4453306, (1419,619), root:(1420,662), state 0x10, keycode 133 (keysym 0xffeb, Super_L), same_screen YES, XLookupString gives 0 bytes: XmbLookupString gives 0 bytes: XFilterEvent returns: False

Answer 3

Probably xbindkeys is the better option. I think it's more useful to use Super_L (windows key) in combination with other key in order to fire a command. For example you could recreate the windows behaviour of firing something similar to what you want, by assigning Super_L + r to "Run application".

Answer 4

I've found that to do it through GNOME's shortcut config dialog, you first have to go to System -> Preferences/Administration -> Keyboard and click on the "Layout Options" button in the "Layouts" tab. Go to "Alt/Win key behavior" and select "Hyper is mapped to Win-Keys". Then the Win key can be used as a modifier.

Edit: reread the question, this won't work for just "Win" (I assumed Win+R). Sorry.