Keyboard shortcut problem: Ctrl key hides all windows to show desktop. Unable to use any keyboard shortcuts that use Ctrl; shows desktop everytime. Macbook Pro OSX 10.6.8
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
System Preferences > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts is where you can fix this. Click on the (?) button for instructions. If all else fails you can try clicking on the Restore Defaults button.
Thank you for the feedback.
I did try to fix this in my System Preferences, but wasn't able to. In the System Preferences I went to Keyboard>Modifier keys. That's where I'm stuck. I'm not sure how to change a modifier key.
Are you using Lion? If so, I'm not sure how to advise you as Apple seems to have changed how everything works as I don't use Lion. Is there a Questionmark (?) button on the Preference panel? Click on it for help. Otherwise try reposting your question on the Lion forum.
Here is How it looks in Snow Leopard. Other OS versions may differ:
Thank you for your response. I am using Snow Leopard and I do see how easily you can change the shortcuts to your liking.
My problem is that the Ctrl key seems to be set wrong from the beginning. My only choices with the modifier keys are to change it to "no action" or leave it as is. Either choice doesn't allow me the full use of my keyboard shortcuts. Any shortcut that uses the Ctrl key is unusable - it only triggers the show desktop.
Okay, I do believe I have found the problem. You should be able to fix it with System Preferences > Exposé & Spaces > Exposé. Make sure the show desktop setting is F11 and not right or left control.
Thank you, Dansyacht. My Expose "Show Desktop" does have F11 selected.
Here's what I've figured out:
I use an external keyboard with my Macbook most of the time. The right side Ctrl key doesn't trigger a "Show Desktop"; only the left side Ctrl key trigger it.
Strange! But I guess that's my work-around. Use the right Ctrl key when using keyboard shortcuts that need Ctrl.
joono05 wrote:
Thank you, Dansyacht. My Expose "Show Desktop" does have F11 selected.
Here's what I've figured out:
I use an external keyboard with my Macbook most of the time. The right side Ctrl key doesn't trigger a "Show Desktop"; only the left side Ctrl key trigger it.
Strange! But I guess that's my work-around. Use the right Ctrl key when using keyboard shortcuts that need Ctrl.
I the external keyboard you are using a Apple Mac keyboard?
If not then to use some of the standard keys, like Ctrl, on a Windows keyboard with a Mac you have to use another key with it. I haven't used a Windows keyboard on a Mac in a while so I forget which key combos do what.
The external keyboard I'm using is an Apple Mac keyboard.
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl key hides all windows to show desktop
