this post was submitted on 13 Nov 2025
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Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I don't have one. If I did, I want change the keycap.
Now... it's called a meta key https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_key ... and I use it exactly as one would on Windows, e.g. Meta-e starts the file explorer ... but I added my shortcuts too e.g. :
and I have quite a others I can't recall right now.
Its the super key, the meta key is now Alt IIRC
Not according to Wikipedia (linked to initially already) nor KDE Plasma which I'm using :
The wikipedia page you linked says otherwise.
I don't have a physical keyboard with a Windows key to verify (gave that to a friend who need an ergonomic keyboard few weeks ago) but AFAICT
xevor KDE Plasma again returnmetawhen pressed on that key.Also ZMK https://zmk.dev/docs/keymaps/list-of-keycodes list GUI as Meta
GUI (Windows / Command / Meta)and QMKLGUI(kc) G(kc), LCMD(kc), LWIN(kc)https://docs.qmk.fm/feature_advanced_keycodesMy interpretation of "Meta key, its functionality may be invoked by other keys such as the Windows key or Macintosh’s Option key" is that the Windows key is the meta key, isn't it what it says?
KDE uses "meta" to refer to the Windows key. Emacs uses "meta" to refer to the Alt key. You are correct that GNOME calls the Windows key "Super".
This causes some confusion, obviously we Linux users don't want to call it the Windows key, so the best solution is to call the keys "Super" and "Alt", those are unambiguous.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_key_(keyboard_button)
Relevant section:
As far as I am aware, the "Windows" key is generally mapped as the Super key, not he Meta key.
My bad then, as I mentioned before unfortunately I have no such keyboard available anymore.
No problem, though I must admit I'm curious about your keyboard as it is quite uncommon to not have one. Are you using an older keyboard that lacks one or one of the "winkeyless" enthusiast mechanical keyboards or maybe a really small form factor keyboard?
That's me, in fact you can see my keymap at https://github.com/Utopiah/zmk-config-zen-2/blob/main/config/corneish_zen.keymap#L27 for my Corne-ish Zen 3x6
What kind of use case for Super over meta do think I'm missing? Like I said if I do meta-e I get in KDE Plasma the file explorer, Dolphin, isn't it also the behavior you get?
I basically forced myself to use it and it was a good transition from the Microsoft Sculpt but now that I'm a 3x6 I don't want to go back ;)
Transition is always tricky and I find that NOT having a project to rush on for few weeks at least is what I need.
It isn't a different use case at all, it is that only KDE calls it meta. Everything else that I know of calls it super. If you're a KDE user, you're using it just fine, it is just weird that KDE is the odd man out, especially since meta was traditionally already associated with the alt key. I'm sure someone at KDE had some reason for it and at this point they see no reason to change.
I've used Linux since 1998, and several DEs. I've never heard the Windows key referred to as a "meta" key.