Keyboard shortcuts and keyboard layout

Click the content you want directly in the table of contents:

Keyboard shortcuts on ZorinOS for former Windows and Mac users

This tutorial is aimed at users who are already familiar with keyboard shortcuts on macOS or Windows and want to continue their usual workflows on a new operating system.

Want to read everything in detail? Then read on…

Want a quick table of all keyboard shortcuts? Then click here.

→ Keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet

Basics of keyboard shortcuts on Linux

Linux distributions such as ZorinOS use a different system for keyboard shortcuts than Windows or macOS. While Windows mainly uses the Ctrl key for system functions and macOS the Cmd key (Command), Linux uses a combination of Ctrl, Alt and the Super key (Windows or cloverleaf key).

These different modifier keys can be confusing at first, but with the right guidance most familiar workflows can be transferred without problems.

The most important modifier keys in Linux

• Ctrl (Control): for most application shortcuts (copy, paste, etc.)
• Alt: for menu navigation and window management
• Super (Windows / cloverleaf key): for system functions and workspace management
• AltGr: for special characters (especially important on Swiss keyboards)

Main differences between the operating systems

The biggest differences lie in the use of the modifier keys. While Windows users almost exclusively use Ctrl and Mac users Cmd, Linux uses a more differentiated split. This separation means that system and application functions do not clash.

System-wide keyboard shortcuts

ZorinOS is based on GNOME and offers a wide range of system-wide keyboard shortcuts that can speed up your work considerably. These shortcuts work regardless of the application currently open.

Window management

Window management in ZorinOS is very powerful and lets you organise several windows efficiently:

• Super + Up arrow: maximise window
• Super + Down arrow: restore/minimise window
• Super + Left arrow: snap window to the left half of the screen
• Super + Right arrow: snap window to the right half of the screen
• Alt + F4: close window
• Alt + F10: maximise/restore window

Workspace management

Linux systems offer virtual workspaces, which are not available by default on Windows and macOS:

• Super + Page Up/Down: switch between workspaces
• Ctrl + Alt + arrow keys: navigate between workspaces
• Shift + Ctrl + Alt + arrow keys: move the current window to another workspace
• Super: open the Activities overview (shows all workspaces)

Starting and switching applications

• Super: open the Activities overview and search straight away
• Alt + F2: Run command dialogue
• Alt + Tab: switch between applications
• Alt + Shift + Tab: switch backwards between applications
• Super + Tab: switch between windows of all workspaces

Application-specific shortcuts

Text editing

Most text editing shortcuts are identical to Windows, which makes the transition easier:

• Ctrl + A: select all
• Ctrl + C: copy
• Ctrl + V: paste
• Ctrl + X: cut
• Ctrl + Z: undo
• Ctrl + Y: redo
• Ctrl + F: find
• Ctrl + H: find and replace
• Ctrl + G: go to line
• Ctrl + L: select line

Web browser (Firefox, Chrome)

Browser shortcuts work practically the same as on Windows:

• Ctrl + T: new tab
• Ctrl + W: close tab
• Ctrl + Shift + T: reopen last closed tab
• Ctrl + L: focus the address bar
• Ctrl + R: reload page
• Ctrl + Shift + R: hard refresh (ignore cache)
• Ctrl + D: add bookmark
• Ctrl + Shift + Delete: clear browsing data

File manager (Nautilus/Files)

The file manager in ZorinOS offers many handy shortcuts:

Terminal keyboard shortcuts

The terminal is a powerful tool in Linux and has its own specialised keyboard shortcuts:

Important note: in the terminal, Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V do NOT work for copying and pasting! Use Ctrl + Shift + C and Ctrl + Shift + V instead. This is because Ctrl + C is used in the terminal to stop processes.

Swiss keyboard specialities

For Swiss users, entering special characters correctly is particularly important. On a Swiss PC keyboard with the German (Switzerland) layout, the AltGr key (right Alt key) is the key to many special characters:

~, ´, ` and ^ are dead keys: the character only appears with the next key. For the character on its own, press Space afterwards.

Setting up the Swiss keyboard layout

If the Swiss keyboard layout is not set correctly:

1. Open Settings: press the Super key and type "Settings"
2. Select Keyboard: click "Keyboard" in the left-hand menu
3. Input Sources: under "Input Sources", click + Add Input Source …
4. Choose layout: for a PC keyboard "German (Switzerland)", for an Apple keyboard (MacBook, iMac) "German (Switzerland, Macintosh)"
5. Add: select the layout and click "Add"
6. Activate: use the three dots next to the entry to put the layout you want first with "Move up", or delete the other layouts with "Remove"

Tip: use Super + Space to switch between different keyboard layouts.

Detailed guide for Mac keyboards: → Setting the keyboard correctly (Swiss Mac keyboard)

Customising keyboard shortcuts

Basic adjustments via Settings

ZorinOS allows extensive customisation of keyboard shortcuts via the graphical interface:

1. Open Settings: Super → "Settings"
2. Select Keyboard: "Keyboard" in the left-hand menu
3. Show shortcuts: "View and Customise Shortcuts"
4. Choose category: e.g. "Windows", "System", "Navigation"
5. Change shortcut: click the shortcut you want and enter the new combination

Creating custom shortcuts

You can create your own shortcuts for frequently used applications:

1. Custom shortcuts: in the keyboard settings, open "View and Customise Shortcuts" and choose "Custom Shortcuts" at the very bottom
2. Add shortcut: click "Add Custom Shortcut" or "+"
3. Enter details:
   • Name: descriptive name (e.g. "Open Firefox")
   • Command: application command (e.g. "firefox")
   • Shortcut: desired key combination (e.g. "Super + B")