Customize Nautilus Shortcut Keys

Today, I had this itch to customize the shortcut keys in my Ubuntu Jaunty --> Nautilus.

I wanted to assign the Alt-D key to select the location bar. Ctrl-L is the default option, but I find Alt-D easier on the fingers, especially when all fingers are resting on the correct keys on the keyboard! I also use Alt-D in Opera/Firefox to highlight the address in the address bar.

Unfortunately, The 'Keyboard Shortcuts' in System --> Preferences does not have any option for Nautilus.

A quick search landed me here and Wolki had a nice suggestion. It worked like a charm.

So to change Ctrl-L option to Alt-D, here is what needs to be done:

1. In Ubuntu Jaunty, Go to System --> Preferences --> Appearance --> Interface.

2. Enable the option 'Editable menu shortcut keys'

This is what Ubuntu Help says about this option:

"Editable menu shortcut keys

  Selecting this option allows you to define new keyboard shortcuts for menu items.

  To change an application shortcut key, open the menu, and with the mouse pointer on the menu item you wish to change, press the new combination of keys. To remove a shortcut key, press Backspace or Delete.

  When using this feature, you will not be warned if assigning a new shortcut key to a command also removes it from another command.

  There is no way to restore the original, default keyboard shortcut for a command.

  This feature does not maintain shortcuts that are normally common to all applications, such as Ctrl+C for Copy. This may lead to inconsistencies in your GNOME applications."

3. Now open Nautilus, click 'Go' menu and highlight the 'Location...' option by moving mouse pointer over it.

4. At this point, press Alt-D on the keyboard. The Ctrl-L shortcut will be replaced by Alt-D!

5. As a precaution, turn off the 'Editable menu shortcut keys' option.

6. If the shortcut does not work immediately, log out and log back in. (need not restart)

Disclaimer: Read the warnings in the above help extract carefully. You should know what you are doing!