Here's quick notes about enabling Windows key for start menu on two different systems: Xubuntu (XFCE) and Trisquel (MATE). This key is located between your Ctrl and Alt keys, and beside that, also called Super or Meta key on GNU/Linux. However, you can run these on other GNU/Linux distros which use respective desktop environments. Happy working!

Xubuntu (XFCE Desktop)

• Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
• Choose xfce4-popup-whiskermenu.
• Double-click it.
• Press Win key (Super key).
• Close.
• Go ahead.

Other distros known with XFCE:

• Ubuntu Studio
• Mint XFCE 
• MX
• Debian Live XFCE
• Fedora Spin XFCE
• openSUSE Tumbleweed XFCE

Trisquel (MATE Desktop)

• Go to MATE Tweak > Interface.
• Save current layout.
• Change it to Redmond layout.
• Enable advanced menu.
• Close.
• Go ahead.

Other distros known with MATE:

• Ubuntu MATE
• Mint MATE
• Debian Live MATE
• Fedora Spin MATE
• Manjaro MATE

Enjoy!

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This article is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Lubuntu uses LXDE as desktop environment and Openbox as window manager. By default, Super Key (a key between Ctrl and Alt) cannot be used to open desktop menu, and this behavior is maybe uncomfortable for former Windows users. Fortunately, we can bind Super Key to open desktop menu by a little editing to a config file.

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