Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@plembo

plembo/killx11ubuntudesktop.md

Last active January 27, 2026 13:59
Show Gist options

  • Select an option

    Learn more about clone URLs
  • Save plembo/9144fdf757c54822b6bdca26dfaf29cf to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Learn more about clone URLs
Save plembo/9144fdf757c54822b6bdca26dfaf29cf to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
KIll X11 server under Ubuntu desktop keyboard shortcut
Raw
killx11ubuntudesktop.md

Keyboard shortcut to kill X11 server under Ubuntu desktop

The decision to disable/change the venerable Ctrl-Alt-Backspace keyboard shortcut for killing the X server in the Ubuntu/Gnome desktop has been a persistently unwise one.

At least for now, the most straighforward way to restore it is to install gnome-tweaks. Then go to:

Keyboard & Mouse > Additional Layout Options > Key sequence to kill the X server

Ctrl+Alt+Backspace: checked

References:

Levente. "How can I enable Ctrl+Alt+Backspace?", Ask Ubuntu, 21 June 2921, https://askubuntu.com/a/1346330.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment