In the standard Ubuntu desktop environment (GNOME), pressing the Super key (the key with the Windows logo on most PC keyboards) instantly opens the “Activities Overview.” This screen shrinks all your currently open windows and brings up a system-wide search bar. While this is a highly efficient way to navigate the operating system, it can become a massive problem if you are playing a full-screen PC game or using a complex application like a video editor where you might accidentally strike the key, completely interrupting your workflow.
If you frequently hit the Super key by accident, you might want to disable its default behaviour. Because this shortcut is hardcoded deeply into the GNOME Shell’s window manager (Mutter), you cannot simply disable it through the standard graphical Keyboard Settings menu. You must use a dedicated system configuration tool or a terminal command.
Method 1: Disabling the Key via Terminal Command (Fastest)
The quickest way to disable the shortcut is by using the gsettings command, which directly modifies the GNOME desktop database without requiring you to install any extra graphical software.
- Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a new terminal window.
- Carefully copy and paste the following exact command into the terminal and press Enter:
gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key ''
The change takes effect the absolute second you press Enter. You do not need to reboot your computer or restart the shell. If you press the Super key now, absolutely nothing will happen. (Note: You can still open the Activities overview by clicking the word “Activities” in the top-left corner of your screen).
Method 2: Using the GNOME Tweaks Tool
If you are not comfortable using terminal commands and prefer a graphical interface, you can achieve the exact same result using the community-standard “GNOME Tweaks” application.
- Open the Ubuntu Software application (or App Center).
- Search for GNOME Tweaks and install it.
- Launch the Tweaks application from your app drawer.
- In the left-hand sidebar of the Tweaks window, click on Keyboard & Mouse.
- Look for the section labelled Overview Shortcut.
- You will see a dropdown menu that is likely set to “Left Super”. Click the dropdown menu and change it to Right Super (if you only accidentally hit the left one) or select another option if available. (Note: In newer versions of GNOME, the gsettings terminal command is the only reliable way to completely disable it entirely).
How to Re-enable the Super Key
If you finish playing your game and realise you miss the convenience of the Activities shortcut, reversing the terminal command is just as easy.
- Open the terminal again (Ctrl + Alt + T).
- Run the following command to restore the default behaviour:
gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key 'Super_L'
The left Super key will instantly return to its normal function.