Comments on the APPLICATION BAR and KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS in WINDOWS and GNU/LINUX.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
In modern desktop environments, from Windows to mainstream GNU/Linux distributions, Alt+Tab remains the go-to shortcut for window switching.
While seamless for light multitasking, this method hits a wall as your workflow grows.
Once you have dozens of active windows, what was once a quick "flip" becomes a tedious cycle of repetitive keystrokes.
Even Alt+Esc fails to address the root of the problem, as it still forces you to manually scan through an endless stack of applications to find the one you need.
There is, however, a faster and more surgical approach: the Super + Number combination.
In this article, I will explore how to master the Super + [1-9] launching system in Windows 10 and 11, with a few insights into GNU/Linux—covering the tools I use daily both at the office and in my home setup.
2. What is the "Super" Key?
"I don't see a 'Super' key on my keyboard!"
You’re right. Unlike Alt, Ctrl, or Enter, you won't find the word "Super" printed on any standard keycap. Instead, the Super key is identified by a logo—most commonly the Windows logo, though it varies depending on your hardware. It’s usually located in the bottom-left row, right next to the Alt key.
The Super key isn't a modern invention; it dates back to 1978. It was originally a staple for Emacs users (the very editor I’m using to write this article), before fading into obscurity during the late 80s.
Its comeback arrived in September 1994, rebranded as the "Windows Key" with the release of the Microsoft Natural Keyboard. It quickly became an industry standard. However, the Linux and BSD communities—needing a dedicated modifier for global shortcuts that wouldn't interfere with application commands—decided to map this "new" key back to its original "Super" function.
In this article, I’ll refer to it as the Super key. I prefer this neutral, original name over one tied to a specific operating system, but feel free to think of it as the Windows key if that’s more familiar to you.
Regardless of what you call it, this key is the secret sauce for system efficiency, especially when it comes to "quick-launching" applications directly from your taskbar.
3. What is the Taskbar?
To put it simply, the Taskbar is that familiar strip usually found at the bottom of your screen. In Windows 11, it serves as the central hub for navigating your system and managing your workflow.
While the taskbar houses several elements—like the Start menu, the search bar, and system icons (clock, Wi-Fi, battery)—our focus for this guide is on the Application Area. This is the section where the icons of your currently open programs reside, alongside any apps you have "pinned" for quick access.
This specific area is where the magic happens: it acts as the bridge between the Super key and your software, allowing for the lightning-fast launch and switching capabilities we are about to explore.
4. The Core Concept: Super + Number
The logic is straightforward: to activate an application, simply press and hold the Super key, then tap the number corresponding to the app's position on your taskbar.
Let’s look at a practical example using my current setup:
In the image above, you can see File Explorer in the first position (highlighted by a small indicator line beneath it), followed by Outlook, OneNote, Acrobat Reader, Word, and Edge.
To launch or switch to File Explorer: Press Super + 1.
To open Outlook (the second icon): Press Super + 2.
For OneNote, located in the third slot: Press Super + 3, and so on.
The beauty of this system is its flexibility. You can change the shortcut for any app simply by clicking and dragging its icon to a new position on the taskbar.
This shortcut also acts as a toggle: if the application is already active and visible, pressing the same Super + Number combination will minimize it.
If you have multiple windows open for the same application—a common scenario with Outlook, where you might have several emails popped out into separate windows—the shortcut becomes a navigation tool.
The first press brings the main window into focus; subsequent presses allow you to cycle through all other active windows of that app sequentially, without minimizing them.
5. To Pin or Not to Pin? That is the Question.
What exactly is "pinning"? Simply put, it’s the act of anchoring an application permanently to your taskbar so it’s always there, even when the program is closed.
There are three quick ways to do it:
- From the Taskbar: If the app is already running, right-click its icon and select "Pin to taskbar."
- From the Start Menu: Search for the app, right-click it, and choose the same option.
- Drag & Drop: Just grab a shortcut from your desktop and drop it directly onto the taskbar.
The Power User's Dilemma: at first glance, pinning seems like a no-brainer. However, for those who use Virtual Desktops, the choice is more nuanced.
In a perfect world, leaving apps unpinned would allow you to have unique icon sequences for each virtual workspace.
Unfortunately, Windows often rearranges unpinned icons arbitrarily, which completely breaks your muscle memory for keyboard shortcuts.
An anchoring approach guarantees a fixed position, but it comes with a structural trade-off. Pinned icons appear across all virtual desktops, even if the app hasn't been launched in that specific workspace.
This creates a "slot-hogging" effect. If you have six apps pinned, they will always occupy positions 1 through 6. When you open a new, unpinned program in a clean virtual desktop, it won't be assigned to Super + 1—it will start at Super + 7.
Finding the right balance between a clean workspace and predictable shortcuts is the key to mastering your workflow.
6. More Than Just Windows: The "Super + Number" Shortcut on Linux
This productivity hack—using the "Windows" key plus a numerical digit to launch or switch between apps—is a staple across many GNU/Linux desktop environments as well.
After testing several environments on Debian, I found that the experience varies quite a bit depending on your choice of Desktop Environment (DE):
KDE PLARMA, Cinnamon and GNOME offer this functionality out of the box.
On Hyprland (tested via CachyOS), you can certainly achieve this, though it requires a bit of manual tweaking in your configuration files.
More lightweight environments like Xfce, LXDE, LXQt, MATE, and Openbox do not typically include this feature by default.
Some distributions make this even more user-friendly by visually reminding you which number corresponds to which app.
A great example is the GNOME version of Ubuntu. When you trigger the shortcut overlay, small numerical badges appear over the icons, as shown below:
This is a fantastic touch for those of us who haven't quite memorized our icon order yet!
7. Beyond the OS: Browsers and Outlook
The "Position-Based Shortcut" logic isn't exclusive to your operating system. Many productivity tools have adopted this same intuitive system to help you fly through your tabs and modules.
Most modern browsers allow you to jump between open tabs using the Ctrl key instead of the Super key.
Chrome and Edge: Both work flawlessly. Pressing Ctrl + [1-8] takes you directly to the corresponding tab, while Ctrl + 9 always jumps to the very last one.
Firefox ESR: In my testing, this specific version didn't support this behavior, so your mileage may vary depending on your browser choice.
Microsoft Outlook takes this concept even further by mapping its primary navigation modules to numerical shortcuts. This allows you to switch from your inbox to your schedule in a heartbeat.
Typically, the default mapping looks like this:
- Ctrl + 1: Mail
- Ctrl + 2: Calendar
- Ctrl + 3: To Do (Tasks)
- Ctrl + 4: People (Contacts)
- Ctrl + 5: Copilot
You can see these modules represented in the sidebar here:
The best part? You aren't stuck with the default order. Just like the Windows taskbar, Outlook allows you to rearrange these icons. By moving a module up or down in the navigation bar, you effectively "re-map" its shortcut.
If you find yourself checking your Calendar more often than your Mail, simply move it to the top spot, and Ctrl + 1 will becomes your new shortcut for it. It’s all about tailoring the interface to fit your specific workflow priorities.
8. The Bottom Line
Mastering your desktop doesn't require complex software—just a small shift in your habits. Whether you are on Windows or using a Linux environment like KDE Plasma, GNOME, or Cinnamon, the tools for a lightning-fast workflow are already at your fingertips.
The secret is to break the habit of "cycling" through windows. It’s time to move past the clutter of Alt-Tab and embrace a more surgical approach.
By strategically pinning your most-used applications and committing their positions to memory, you transform the Super + Number shortcut into a powerful extension of your workflow. It might take a day or two for the muscle memory to kick in, but once it does, you’ll never look at your taskbar the same way again.
Stop searching for your windows. Start launching them!
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