Pretty sure however you’re using the windows key, that’s how it was intended to be used.

GNOME Linux I use it regularly to switch between tasks/windows, as well as windows+arrow keys to snap windows to edges or minimize them.

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

All the time, both on Windows and KDE Plasma. It’s especially convenient for starting an app you don’t have pinned to your taskbar, just press the Windows key and then type the name of the app.

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 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.

Turns out, yes, everyone does use this key. A lot.

nope, never. not even on windows boxes

Definitely! Win-Tab (properly called Meta-Tab) is used to switch activities in KDE Plasma. With this simple key combination, I gain another 15 virtual desktops.

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

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 key + V in Windows 10/11 is a must if you copy and paste often.

It shows your clipboard history which is great.

Only downside is passwords and you copy from a password manager, for example. Be careful if sharing your screen with others or surrounded by others or just cautious of the fact that the password is there in plain text to anything in the OS.

Not many people seem to know about it but it’s extremely helpful especially when doing repetitive tasks.

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.

Often use it, especially windows key + shit + B to clear the GPU

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.