Xfce Forum

bli

Member

Registered: 2026-08-07

Posts: 2

Make Alt key in xfce-terminal available for command-line applications

Hello,

First, a bit of context:

I recently got a new computer at my work, that came with Ubuntu pre-installed. I was previously using MX Linux with XFCE, so I installed XFCE on this Ubuntu, and copied my home folder from the old computer with (hopefully) all its custom settings. The current version of XFCE on my computer is 4.18 and xfce-terminal is at version 1.1.3.

I use xfce-terminal to access a remote server on which I work using tmux. In tmux, my prefix is "Alt-a" but I found out that instead of sending that prefix to tmux, the Terminal was instead opening its "Tab" menu.

I found the following in the documentation (https://docs.xfce.org/xfce/xfwm4/4.20/k … _shortcuts):

For specific applications, holding down the Alt key will highlight the letter to be used in combination with the Alt key for a particular action. For example, in most applications, holding down the Alt-F keys simultaneously will result in the File dropdown menu to open and display available actions.

I guess that's what I need to inactivate (either the specific "Alt-a" shortcut of xfce-terminal, or the general xfwm4 "Alt-<letter>" application shortcut mechanism).

Unfortunately, I haven't found out how to do it. I see nothing in the "Terminal preferences/Shortcuts" settings, nor in the "xfce-keyboard-shortcuts" section of the Settings Editor.

Any idea where I should look and what I should do to be able to work with tmux as I used to with my previous computer?

Thanks in advance.

Note: I still want the Alt key to be usable in the desktop. In particular, I use "Alt-tab" to switch between windows and "Alt-<arrow>" to navigate between virtual desktops.

Last edited by bli (2026-08-07 11:51:03)

mint4all

Member

From: off the map

Registered: 2018-08-21

Posts: 299

Re: Make Alt key in xfce-terminal available for command-line applications

Welcome to this forum!

Perhaps you may want to experiment with ...
Xfce4-Terminal > Preferences > Advanced > Shortcuts > Disable all meu access keys (toggle)
Downside: all of the terminals Alt+{letter} shortcuts stop working

Might work in your situation, though.
Cheers, m4a

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Linux Mint up to 22.2-- xfce up to 4.18 ... Lenovo, Dell, HP Desktops and Laptops -- Family & Community Support

bli

Member

Registered: 2026-08-07

Posts: 2

Re: Make Alt key in xfce-terminal available for command-line applications

Welcome to this forum!

Perhaps you may want to experiment with ...
Xfce4-Terminal > Preferences > Advanced > Shortcuts > Disable all meu access keys (toggle)

Thanks, that's exactly what I needed. I don't remember having done that on my previous computer.