How to set keyboard combination to kill the X server?

Question

It used to be ctrl+alt+backspace to kill x server, but for some unknown reason, it was decided to disable that combination and use something else (I think it is right alt + printscreen +k).

So, how to enable ctrl+alt+backspace?

I have seen it can be done with installing dontzap, but I know there is a way to set that combination from system setup.

Egil · Accepted Answer · 2011-05-03T08:52:09.610

6

Gnome:

Open the keyboard preferences (Search for keyboard in Dash), go to the Layout tab and press Options. Open Key sequece to kill the X server and toggle Control + Alt + Backspace

enter image description here

KDE:

I don't run KDE so I can't verify it or make a pretty screenshot, but according to the Ubuntu Wiki, you do as follows:

Open System Settings

KDE 4.1 - KDE 4.5

Select "Regional & Language"
Select "Keyboard Layout".
Click on "Enable keyboard layouts" (in the Layout tab).
Select the "Advanced" tab. Then select "Key sequence to kill the X server" and enable "Control + Alt + Backspace".

KDE 4.6+

Select Input Devices under the heading Hardware
Select Advanced Tab
Click on Configure Keyboard Options
Enable "Key sequence to kill the X server" and enable "Control + Alt + Backspace".

edited May 03 '11 at 08:52

answered May 03 '11 at 07:30

Egil

14,162

Is that for gnome or KDE? I am using KDE, and I can not find keyboard preferences anywhere – BЈовић May 03 '11 at 07:40
Sorry, I missed it. I found a KDE solution, but I haven't verified it. – Egil May 03 '11 at 08:52
doh it was so simple. And I opened that page, but missed kill x server page. thanks – BЈовић May 03 '11 at 09:06
I tried to disable it but it seems to take no effect: that combo still kills "everything" :( any ideas what might be happening? – nutty about natty May 05 '13 at 16:34
For Ubuntu 21.10, I now find that this is available as part of the Gnome Tweaks application https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Tweaks – RobertG Nov 17 '21 at 09:48

score 1 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:23

If you are looking for a solution which is independent of Gnome/KDE/Fluxbox or any Desktop Environment or Window Manager, try the following. This command is part of the X Window System.

From https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config/DontZap#Using_the_command_line

Using the command line

You can type the following command to enable Zapping immediately.

setxkbmap -option terminate:ctrl_alt_bksp

If you're happy with the new behaviour you can add that command to your ~/.xinitrc in order to make the change permanent.

I have provided more information in my answer to 10.10 How can I enable Ctrl+Alt+Backspace?

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 03 '11 at 07:34

0

Navigate to the keyboard preferences, choose layout and then options. You will find the ctrl+alt+backspace there, just tick it and your good to go

answered May 03 '11 at 07:34

robin0800

1,092

Where are the keyboard preferences? Do I need to install a package? – BЈовић May 03 '11 at 07:38
You will find this in 'applications' its called "keyboard" – robin0800 May 03 '11 at 07:48
I don't see applications anywhere. Are you using KDE or gnome? – BЈовић May 03 '11 at 07:50
Perhaps you can't do this as this is a gnome setting I think – robin0800 May 03 '11 at 13:35
There is a way, but it was changed. See Egil's answer, as it is correct – BЈовић May 03 '11 at 20:10

How to set keyboard combination to kill the X server?

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