Today we have a quick tip for productivity in your GNOME desktop. This is not a well-known technique, but it is very fast and a quick way to open any folder.
While on your desktop (either with no windows open or with the desktop focused) type / (forward slash). Now type in a folder path and hit Enter. The directory will be opened in a new Nautilus window. On top of that, it will also autocomplete most paths.
For a quick usage example, say I want to get to /var/lib quickly. Instead of having to open Nautilus and navigate to it, I just type the path out on the desktop. /var/lib Enter, and boom, I’m in the folder.



BobCFC wrote:
woot! ty
# Posted on 06-Dec-07 at 6:21 pm
jon wrote:
You can press Ctrl+l as well and it’ll start with your home folder as the path.
# Posted on 06-Dec-07 at 11:20 pm
Will wrote:
Wow, thanks! I knew about typing a path into Alt+F2, but this could potentially be faster.
# Posted on 07-Dec-07 at 12:03 am
Conor wrote:
Great tip. Ctrl+I is great, but it’s a bit awkward when trying to get to basic filesystem stuff (/src, etc.). Thanks!
# Posted on 07-Dec-07 at 1:03 am
Open Folders Quickly Using Forward Slash Key [Linux Tip] · TechBlogger wrote:
[…] your documents and media, it’s at least faster than mousing to the “Places” menu. Open Any Folder from Your GNOME Desktop […]
# Posted on 07-Dec-07 at 6:58 am
Ouvrir un répertoire directement depuis Gnome wrote:
[…] FOSSwire » Open Any Folder from Your GNOME Desktop […]
# Posted on 07-Dec-07 at 8:57 am
Adam Kane wrote:
Great tip Jacob! I never knew this one existed. Very useful for fast navigation.
# Posted on 07-Dec-07 at 4:34 pm
Open any folder from your GNOME Desktop wrote:
[…] Read the rest of the article.. […]
# Posted on 07-Dec-07 at 4:39 pm
seb wrote:
I personally set the “ctrl + e” shortcut to open my home dir in nautilus, and it doesn’t require focus on the desktop.
# Posted on 09-Dec-07 at 3:20 pm
Linux patarimai #9 : nežinau.lt wrote:
[…] Labai įdomi technika, kaip „slash“ mygtuku atverti bet kokį aplanką GNOME aplinkoje. Gal sudomins? […]
# Posted on 13-Dec-07 at 2:33 am
disko wrote:
hmm, i can not make it.. when i type “/” nothing happens
but ctrl+l worked great.
# Posted on 11-Feb-08 at 10:36 am
小技巧: 在 GNOME 桌面中快速打开文件夹 | LinuxDig wrote:
[…] FOSSwire […]
# Posted on 01-May-08 at 9:18 am
Top 15 shortcut keys in GNOME and Nautilus « a non-geek’s linux notes wrote:
[…] And a tip that I found on the excellent Fosswire blog: […]
# Posted on 07-May-08 at 10:20 am