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I use it a lot. Ever since windows 8, the best way to use windows has been hit the windows key and type what you want.
Additionally there are a few shortcuts that are handy
Also "win + - > or <-" to move a tile to left or right side.
Well, I'd say the start menu peaked in Windows 7, where it only showed good local results, but it is still the best way to open something I know the name of.
win + x brings up a useful alternate start menu
So you use your mouse to click on the start menu button, scroll through the menu and click again on the program? That sounds awful. I click the Windows button and type the program name.
I pin programs I frequently use to my task bar like a gentleman.
Check this.... Windows Key + Number corresponding to position of your task bar icon will launch that program. So your 3rd icon from the left = Win+3
The real question is who uses the actual start menu, as in tiles and program list. I've only ever seen people type the program name
The Windows start menu is inexplicably a huge mess. Like all MS products, they cram their interface with as much as possible.
Win + L to lock
Win + D to minimise all windows
Win + arrow key to snap window to half a screen
Win +shift+s to get snapshots
Win +r to get to run command, generally for opening applications in safe mode
Win to quickly start search for apps or settings
100%
It's the only way I open the start menu. There is no faster way to get to what I want than Superkey and typing.
PS I have all my OSes set up similarly. OSx has spotlight, my GNOME and KDE are configured to launch searchable menus on Super, and my mobile launcher is set up to search when I swipe up.
Yes, it's one of the most useful keys. I haven't used file explorers for applications in forever. Hit the Windows key, type a couple letters of the program you want, hit enter.
Oh yeah. I use it all the time. It's useful to hit the key and type the first 3-5 characters of the program I want to launch and hitting return.
It's also the function key for the screen clip feature which I use often (Windows + Shift + S).
I’m on Linux. But yeah I use it to open the start menu all the time. Then I can type apps name and hit enter
Hell yes. I'm not taking the time go move my hand to the mouse, find the cursor with my eyes, move the mouse and then move hands back to type. That's asinine.
As others have said, I use it mainly for the search function to start programs as well as many shortcuts. I've seen others mention screenshots and locking, but here are a few more:
A full list can be found here: windows key shortcuts
Yeah, of course! Some full screen programs, mostly games, will not let you tab out to the desktop, so i use the windows key to open the start menu which also pops up the taskbar so i can swap to something else.
Alt-escape should still work on these as well. Effectively minimises them.
Constantly. I'm a keyboard shortcut junky. I use it with several different key combos. The fact that the "super key" works slightly differently in Pop OS kind of drives me crazy. I really need to figure out how to remap it so it's closer to the same.
Edit: I should clarify that I also use it to bring up the stupid Windows menu all the time, too. Then I will search for whatever app I'm looking for. I have turned off web searching with it, though.
Even though most-frequently used apps are pinned, there are still quite a few others that I need semi-regularly but not enough to earn a pin.
Constantly.
Open shit on the taskbar.
Win + E for file explorer.
Win key and type stuff for a few programs I don't want to have icons for.
One of the best keys!
I hit the windows key, type and hit enter to open programs a lot. I literally have no desktop icons showing, I don't like the look and taking my hands off the keyboard to click stuff takes longer anyways.
I also do windows + number to open/switch to pinned programs a lot.
All the time. It's basically the only way I open the Start menu. And I use Windows key shortcuts like Win+Alt+K really often.
Whether you use Windows or Linux, the Windows key is the foundation of many useful keyboard shortcuts. You know, hold it down plus some other key.
Whatever your preferred OS, look them up! You may find a few you would like to start using.
But yeah, on my work computer which is a Windows machine, I often use it to open the start menu and start typing the name of the app I want to launch. It’s faster than clicking on an icon somewhere if your hands are already on the keyboard.
Do I use the "super" key as the OS intended it ? As a Gnome user, absolutely yes ! All the time ! Do I use the Windows key as Microsoft intended it ? Also yes, because of Gnome.
Win+M minimises everything.
Win+(arrow key) moves windows around.
Win+S for screenshot.
Win+C (with PowerToys) opens a color pipette tool.
Win then type the name of the program or setting brings those results up (well, after windows has a network connection or realises it isn't gonna get one. Which is stupid)
I don't ever use the start menu for anything. I can't be bothered to look through that mess.
Instead I press the windows key and type the first few letters of whatever I need, unless it's already stickied to the bar. It's fewer key presses than clicking through the start menu. I suppose that still counts as opening the start menu, even if I don't use the actual menu structure.
I also use the windows + arrow keys to toss windows around the multiple screens. It has a lot of other purposes, like creating extra desktops etc, which I admittedly never use.
It's a useful button for sure, but it does get a little overwhelming when combined with shift ctrl or alt . I can't possibly remember all the uses, but I have the most commonly used on muscle memory.
Constantly, I don't use desktop icons so I am always pressing Win then typing the first 6 letters of the program that I want and hitting enter. I know wintab and winenter search programs exist, but for what I use it for the default one is fine and it is one less program constantly running in the background
The Super key? Yes all the time to pull up the GNOME action menu and to use shortcuts. Super+E for file browser window, +B for browser, +T for terminal window I use often.
Windows key + type to open whichever app i need to open that's not already pinned to my taskbar.
Shift + win + s to take a screenshot.
Yeah, 100%. I hit the windows button and immediately just continue typing the name of the program I'm looking for. It's extremely convenient.
but I got to wondering if anyone, ever actually uses it to access the start menu.
Yes definitely. Try pressing the Windows key and type the first few letters of the app name you're looking for, it's way way faster than mousing around clicking and scrolling through the Start Menu.
Also Windows key + E to open the file explorer gets used a lot. And windows key + L to lock the screen, I do that one a lot when walking away from the desktop at work.
I use:
Win+R constantly
Win+E regularly
Win+D occasionally
Win+M never now that I WFH full time
Turns out, yes, everyone does use this key. A lot.
nope - but the start menu has been dogshit for years now, so I try to avoid start menu as much as possible- I use pinned icons and a few desktop shortcuts.
I mostly use win key fo:
Yes I do.
🪟 + ⬅️/➡️/⬇️/⬆️ snaps windows into tiles on your screen or maximize/minimizes them.
🪟 + shift + S is the shortcut for the ‘new’ snipping tool
Sure, 🪟 alone opens and closes the start menu, but when opens opened, your curser is already the search bar so if you want to quickly open an app, it’s just: 🪟, first few letters of the app, Enter
I don’t use it as much, but: Ctrl +🪟 + ⬅️/➡️ cycles you through virtual desktops
Start menu is helpful to execute programs quickly as many others have stated previously. Other useful thing with the start menu is that it automatically makes a fullscreen application lose focus. So I can just use the windows key to focus out of a fullscreen app and click on something else on the other monitor.
How else would you open a program?
Sometimes it works better for tabbing out of a game than alt-tab does. Not sure why. Also it depends on the game.
In Ubuntu I use the command key as my main way to launch applications.
Do you mean super key? Yea, All the time for moving Windows, opening programs, etc.
I use it to open the start menu a lot. Especially if I'm in a full screen application.
I use it all the time in Linux and even when I unfortunately have to use Windows. Launching an app from just the keyboard is useful. And, like you said, as the modifier key for a number of shortcuts I use a lot.
