Unity, the default desktop environment in Ubuntu, offers a feature known as workspaces that allows users to manage their applications across multiple, virtual desktops. This feature can greatly enhance productivity by providing a clean, organized workspace. In this article, we will delve into how you can quickly switch between these workspaces using keyboard shortcuts.
To quickly switch workspaces in Unity, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Keys to navigate between different virtual desktops. You can also use the Super+S shortcut to bring up a workspace overview and click on the desired workspace. Additionally, you have the option to customize the workspace shortcuts or use the CompizConfig Settings Manager for more advanced customization.
Enabling Workspaces
Before we get started, it’s important to note that workspaces are disabled by default in Ubuntu 13.04 and above. To enable them, open the “Appearance” setting from the dash, switch to the “Behavior” tab, and check the “Enable workspaces” option. Once this is done, you can start using the keyboard shortcuts to switch between workspaces.
Basic Workspace Navigation
The most basic keyboard shortcut for switching between workspaces in Unity is Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Keys. The arrow keys correspond to the direction of the workspace you want to switch to. For example, Ctrl+Alt+Right Arrow will switch to the workspace on the right, while Ctrl+Alt+Down Arrow will switch to the workspace below.
Advanced Workspace Navigation
In Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and above, you can also use the Super+S shortcut to bring up a workspace overview. This overview displays all your workspaces in a grid, allowing you to click on the one you want to switch to.
Customizing Workspace Shortcuts
If you prefer to use different shortcuts, Unity allows you to customize them. To do this, launch “Keyboard” from the Dash, choose the “Shortcuts” tab, and select the “Navigation” option. From there, you can change the settings for “Switch to workspace…” to your desired shortcuts.
Using CompizConfig Settings Manager
For more advanced customization, you can use the CompizConfig Settings Manager. To install it, use the command sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager. This command uses sudo to run the command as an administrator, apt-get to handle the package, and install to install the package named compizconfig-settings-manager.
Once installed, you can launch CompizConfig Settings Manager to customize workspace switching and other settings. This program allows you to set shortcuts and configure options like moving to the next workspace when your mouse hits the edge of the screen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Unity’s workspaces feature, coupled with keyboard shortcuts, can significantly boost your productivity by providing a clean, organized workspace. Whether you stick with the default shortcuts or customize them to your liking, the ability to quickly switch between workspaces is a powerful tool in your productivity arsenal. Remember to enable workspaces if you’re using Ubuntu 13.04 or above, and don’t hesitate to experiment with different settings to find what works best for you.
To enable workspaces in Unity, open the "Appearance" setting from the dash, switch to the "Behavior" tab, and check the "Enable workspaces" option.
The basic keyboard shortcut for switching between workspaces in Unity is Ctrl+Alt+Arrow Keys. The arrow keys correspond to the direction of the workspace you want to switch to.
In Ubuntu 16.04 LTS and above, you can use the Super+S shortcut to bring up a workspace overview. This overview displays all your workspaces in a grid, allowing you to click on the one you want to switch to.
Yes, you can customize the keyboard shortcuts for switching between workspaces in Unity. Launch "Keyboard" from the Dash, choose the "Shortcuts" tab, and select the "Navigation" option. From there, you can change the settings for "Switch to workspace…" to your desired shortcuts.
For more advanced customization of workspace switching and other settings in Unity, you can use the CompizConfig Settings Manager. Install it using the command sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager and launch it to configure options like shortcuts and workspace behavior.
Workspaces in Unity can enhance productivity by providing a clean, organized workspace. They allow you to separate different tasks or applications onto different virtual desktops, reducing clutter and improving focus. Switching between workspaces using keyboard shortcuts can help you quickly access the desired workspace, saving time and effort.
