Ubuntu Linux Keyboard Shortcuts: Complete Guide for Dell PCs

Learning keyboard shortcuts is one of the most effective ways to become more productive in Ubuntu Linux. Rather than reaching for the mouse every time you want to open an app, switch windows, or take a screenshot, you can train your fingers to do the work, saving you time with every task you perform.

This guide walks you through every major keyboard shortcut available in Ubuntu's GNOME desktop environment. Each section explains not just what a shortcut does, but why it works the way it does, so you build a deeper understanding of your system over time. Whether you are just getting started with Ubuntu on your Dell PC or looking to sharpen your skills, this is your go-to reference.

Before You Start: Key Terms to Know

Before diving into the shortcuts, it helps to understand the keys involved. Ubuntu runs on the GNOME desktop environment (the default since Ubuntu 17.10), which assigns special roles to certain keys on your keyboard. Getting familiar with these terms will make the rest of this guide much easier to follow.

How to use a keyboard shortcut: Shortcuts are written like this: Alt + F1. To perform this shortcut, hold down the modifier key (such as Ctrl or Alt) first, then press the second key once, and release both. You do not need to press them at exactly the same time, holding the modifier key first and then tapping the second key is the correct technique.

Section 1: Desktop & System Shortcuts

These shortcuts are the foundation of working in Ubuntu. They help you navigate the GNOME desktop, search for applications, manage your session, and access system tools, all without touching the mouse. Learning these first gives you the biggest productivity gain.

Section 2: Window Management Shortcuts

Understanding window management shortcuts is key to working efficiently across multiple applications. GNOME gives you the ability to snap, maximize, restore, and switch between windows entirely from the keyboard. Once you learn these, you will find yourself naturally multitasking faster.

Section 3: Workspace Shortcuts

Workspaces are one of Ubuntu's most powerful, and most underused features. Think of each workspace as a separate virtual desktop. For example, you could keep your web browser on Workspace 1, your code editor on Workspace 2, and your email on Workspace 3. This separation helps you stay organized and focused without cluttering a single screen with too many open windows.

Section 4: Screenshot Shortcuts

Ubuntu includes a built-in screenshot tool that you can trigger entirely from the keyboard. Starting with Ubuntu 22.04, pressing Print Screen opens an interactive Screenshot tool that lets you choose what kind of screenshot you want to take, giving you more control and flexibility than a simple "capture everything" approach.

Where are my screenshots saved?
Ubuntu automatically saves screenshots to the Pictures/Screenshots folder inside your home directory. Each file is named with a "Screenshot" prefix followed by the date and time it was taken. The screenshot is also copied to your clipboard at the same time, so you can paste it immediately into an image editor or document if needed.

Tip for Laptop Users: On some Dell laptops, the Print Screen key is a secondary function shared with another key. If pressing Print Screen alone does nothing, try holding Fn first, then pressing Print Screen.

Section 5: Terminal Shortcuts

The Terminal is where Ubuntu's true power lives. It gives you direct access to the operating system through typed commands. Learning Terminal shortcuts does not just save time, it also builds your confidence with the command line by reducing the friction of navigating and editing commands. This section covers everything from opening the Terminal to managing processes and searching your command history.

Opening the Terminal

Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a new Terminal window. This is the single most important shortcut to memorize when working in Ubuntu. You will use it constantly.

Navigating the Command Line

When you type a command in the Terminal, you are working on a command line, a single line of text. These shortcuts let you move your cursor along that line quickly, without having to use the mouse or tap the arrow keys repeatedly.

Good to know: When you move the cursor and start typing, Ubuntu inserts your new text at the cursor position, it does not overwrite what is already there. This insert-by-default behavior means you can safely reposition and add text anywhere in a command without losing anything.

Editing & Deleting Text

These shortcuts let you quickly clean up or modify parts of a command line without erasing everything and starting over.

Copying & Pasting in the Terminal

Copying and pasting in the Terminal requires slightly different shortcuts from the rest of the desktop. This is one of the most important distinctions to understand.

Searching Command History

Every command you run in the Terminal is automatically saved to a history log. These shortcuts let you retrieve and reuse past commands instead of retyping them, which is a huge time-saver when working with long or complex commands.

Controlling the Terminal Screen & Processes

These shortcuts give you control over what is happening inside the Terminal, whether that is clearing a cluttered screen, stopping a runaway process, or pausing output so you can read it.

Tab Completion

Tab completion is one of the most educational habits you can build as a Linux user. Instead of typing out full file names, directory paths, or command names from memory, you can type the beginning of a word and let Ubuntu complete it for you.

Section 6: Accessibility Shortcuts

Ubuntu is built with accessibility in mind. These shortcuts give you quick access to built-in tools that make the desktop easier to use for people with visual, motor, or other accessibility needs. You do not need to install any additional software to use these features, they are part of Ubuntu's default GNOME desktop.

Learning more about accessibility: Ubuntu also includes Sticky Keys, a feature that lets you press keyboard shortcut keys one at a time instead of holding them all down simultaneously. This is particularly helpful for users with limited hand mobility. To turn it on, go to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard and enable Sticky Keys.

Section 7: How to View and Customize Your Keyboard Shortcuts

One of the most empowering things about Ubuntu is that almost every keyboard shortcut can be changed to suit your personal workflow. If a default shortcut feels awkward or conflicts with how you work, you can reassign it. You can even create entirely new shortcuts to launch your favorite applications or run custom commands with a single key press.

Understanding how to manage shortcuts also helps you troubleshoot conflicts, for example, if a shortcut stops working, it may be because another action has been assigned to the same key combination.

To View or Change an Existing Shortcut:

1. Select Activities (or press the Super key) and search for Settings.
2. Select Keyboard in the left panel.
3. In the Keyboard Shortcuts section, select View and Customize Shortcuts.
4. Select the desired category, or enter a search term.
5. Click the row for the action you want to change. The Set Shortcut window opens.
6. Hold down the desired key combination, or press Backspace to reset the shortcut, or press Esc to cancel.

To Create a Custom Shortcut:

1. Follow steps 1–3 above.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the shortcuts list and select Custom Shortcuts.
3. Select the Add Shortcut button. In the Add Custom Shortcut window, hold down the desired shortcut key combination.
4. Provide an easy-to-recognize name for the shortcut, the command that will run when the keys are used, and the key combination you want to use.
5. Select Add to save your new shortcut.

Pro Tip: Before assigning a command to a custom shortcut, verify that the command works correctly by opening a Terminal and running it there first. This way, you know exactly what the shortcut will do before you save it. Also, note that GNOME will warn you in real time if the key combination you enter is already in use by another action, helping you avoid accidental conflicts.

Section 8: Troubleshooting — Shortcuts Not Working?

If a keyboard shortcut is not behaving as expected, do not worry, this is usually a straightforward problem to solve. The most common causes are shortcut conflicts, accidental reassignments, or small differences between Ubuntu versions or desktop environments. Use the table below to identify what might be happening and how to address it.

Quick Reference Summary Table

Use this table as a quick daily reference. Once you start using these shortcuts regularly, they will become second nature, and you will find yourself reaching for the mouse far less often.

Still Need Help?

• Ubuntu Official Documentation — Useful Keyboard Shortcuts
• Ubuntu Official Documentation — Set Keyboard Shortcuts