13.2. Enabling the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace Shortcut Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Red Hat Customer Portal (2024)

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The Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut key combination is used for terminating the X server. You might want to terminate the X server especially when:

To enable the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut to forcibly terminate the X server by default for all users, you need to set the org.gnome.desktop.input-sources.xkb-options GSettings key. (For more information on GSettings keys, see Section9.6, “GSettings Keys Properties”.)

Procedure13.2.Enabling the Ctrl-Alt-Backspace Shortcut

  1. Create a local database for machine-wide settings in /etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-input-sources:

    [org/gnome/desktop/input-sources]# Enable Ctrl-Alt-Backspace for all usersxkb-options=['terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp']
  2. Override the user's setting and prevent the user from changing it in /etc/dconf/db/local.d/locks/input-sources:

    # Lock the list of enabled XKB options/org/gnome/desktop/input-sources/xkb-options
  3. Update the system databases for the changes to take effect:

    # dconf update
  4. Users must log out and back in again before the system-wide settings take effect.

The Ctrl+Alt+Backspace key combination is now enabled. All users can terminate the X server quickly and easily and doing so bring themselves back to the login prompt.

As an expert in Linux systems and configuration, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and experience in administering Red Hat Enterprise Linux environments. Over the years, I've successfully navigated and optimized various Linux distributions, and my expertise extends to Red Hat-specific configurations and practices.

Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article about Red Hat Training and the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut for terminating the X server:

  1. Red Hat Training: Red Hat offers comprehensive training courses for Red Hat Enterprise Linux, providing in-depth knowledge and skills necessary for efficient system administration. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from basic Linux commands to advanced system configurations.

  2. Ctrl+Alt+Backspace Shortcut: The Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut is a key combination used to forcibly terminate the X server on a Linux system. The X server is responsible for managing graphical displays. This shortcut becomes handy in various situations, such as when a program causes the X server to stop working, quick session switching, launching a failed program, inability to operate in the current session, or when the screen freezes.

  3. org.gnome.desktop.input-sources.xkb-options GSettings Key: GSettings is a configuration backend used in GNOME-based environments. The org.gnome.desktop.input-sources.xkb-options GSettings key is involved in enabling the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut. By setting this key to ['terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp'], the X server can be forcibly terminated by default for all users.

  4. Configuration Procedure: The article outlines a step-by-step procedure to enable the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut system-wide. It involves creating a local database for machine-wide settings in /etc/dconf/db/local.d/00-input-sources, updating system databases, and locking the setting to prevent users from changing it.

  5. dconf: dconf is a low-level configuration system used in GNOME. In the context of the article, the dconf update command is used to update the system databases after making changes to the configuration.

  6. User Log Out and Log In: To apply the system-wide settings, users are required to log out and log back in again. This is a common practice to ensure that the changes take effect for all users on the system.

By following the provided procedure, the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace key combination is enabled, allowing all users to quickly and easily terminate the X server and return to the login prompt, providing a convenient solution for troubleshooting and system management.

13.2. Enabling the Ctrl+Alt+Backspace Shortcut Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | Red Hat Customer Portal (2024)

FAQs

How do I enable Ctrl Alt Backspace? ›

Enable Ctrl+Alt+Backspace
  1. Open the Terminal and run gksu pluma /etc/default/keyboard.
  2. Find the line: XKBOPTIONS=""
  3. Replace it with: XKBOPTIONS="terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp"
  4. Save the modified file and close it.
  5. Reboot your computer to take affect.
Apr 29, 2017

What is the Ctrl Alt Backspace shortcut? ›

The Ctrl+Alt+Backspace shortcut key combination is used for terminating the X server. You might want to terminate the X server especially when: a program caused the X server to stop working.

How do I turn off Ctrl Alt Backspace in Linux? ›

Check in System Settings > Input Devices > Keyboard > Advanced (tab) > check the option Configure keyboard options > search for Key sequence to kill the x server and uncheck the option for the shortcut.

Is there a Ctrl-Alt-Delete for Linux? ›

On some Linux-based operating systems including Ubuntu and Debian, Control + Alt + Delete is a shortcut for logging out. On Ubuntu Server, it is used to reboot a computer without logging in.

How do I enable Ctrl Alt Backspace in Arch Linux? ›

By default, the key combination Ctrl+Alt+Backspace is disabled. You can enable it by passing terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp to XkbOptions . This can also be done by binding a key to Terminate_Server in xmodmap (which undoes any existing XkbOptions setting).

Why is my control Backspace not working? ›

Reinstall Keyboard Driver. At times, a corrupted driver can disrupt the connection between the keyboard and your operating system, causing issues with keys like Enter, Spacebar, or Backspace not working properly. Reinstalling the keyboard driver can often resolve this problem in Windows 10/8/7.

What is the shortcut key for select all? ›

Click anywhere within the document. Press Ctrl+A on your keyboard to select all text in the document.

What is the shortcut key for delete all? ›

Pressing Delete (DEL) also deletes the currently highlighted text, image, or group of images. To delete all text in a text file, you can use the shortcut key to select all text which is Ctrl + A . Once all text is highlighted press the Del or Backspace to delete all highlighted text.

What is the shortcut key for permanently delete? ›

To permanently delete a file:

Press and hold the Shift key, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. Because you cannot undo this, you will be asked to confirm that you want to delete the file or folder.

How do I enable Backspace in Linux? ›

Modern terminals use "Ctrl + ?" for Backspace. Most systems will recognize the latter as Backspace these days as physical terminals have largely been replaced by terminal emulators on PCs, but you may still run into systems that haven't been upgraded and still expect "Ctrl + H."

How do you set Backspace in Linux? ›

The Linux kernel default lets Ctrl-Backspace generate BackSpace - this is sometimes useful as emergency escape, when you find you can only generate DELs. The left Alt key is sometimes called the Meta key, and by default the combinations AltL-X are bound to the symbol MetaX.

What is the shortcut for Backspace in Linux? ›

Ctrl + H still works for backspacing.

What is the equivalent of Ctrl Alt Delete in Ubuntu? ›

What do you intend to do with Ctrl+Alt+Del? This can do many things. If you wish to bring up “Task Manager”, it's called “System Monitor” in Ubuntu. If you wish to kill an unresponsive program that's grabbed focus, you can press Ctrl+Alt+[F1-F6] to enter terminal sessions 1–6 and kill the program.

What does Ctrl Alt F4 do in Linux? ›

Ctrl+Alt+F4 in Linux

In some variants of Linux, pressing Ctrl + Alt + F4 switches to the fifth/fourth open console window (virtual terminal). With recent versions of Linux, the GUI (graphical user interface) is loaded as the first virtual terminal instead of the seventh one.

What is Ctrl K in Linux? ›

Similarly, CTRL+K erases everything from the current cursor position to the end of the line. Shortcuts: Instead of Backspace, use CTRL+U.

How do I enable Alt key on my keyboard? ›

Try the following troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:
  1. Restart your computer.
  2. Check if the right alt key works in another application.
  3. Update or reinstall the keyboard driver.
  4. Disable the sticky keys feature.
  5. Check the keyboard layout and language settings.
Jan 30, 2023

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