Resetting ShowDesktop Keyboard Shortcut after MacOS Update

Introduction

Today, I noticed that the default keyboard shortcut for showing the desktop in MacOS, F11, conflicts with one of VSCode's shortcuts (Step debugging). In this article, we will guide you through the process of resetting the Show Desktop shortcut in MacOS.

Understanding the Shortcut

The Show Desktop shortcut (F11) is a convenient feature that hides all open windows and displays the desktop. However, if you're using other applications that utilize this shortcut, such as Visual Studio Code, it can cause conflicts and lead to unwanted behavior.

Resetting the Shortcut

Using Keyboard Preferences

The easiest way to reset the Show Desktop shortcut is through the Keyboard preferences in System Preferences. Here's how:

1. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard.
2. Click on the "Shortcuts" tab.
3. Select "App Shortcuts" in the left sidebar.
4. Click the "+" button to add a new shortcut.
5. Type "F11" in the Menu Title field and leave the Input field empty.
6. Click "Add" and then "OK" to save the changes.

This will remove the default F11 shortcut for showing the desktop and prevent conflicts with other applications.

Alternative Methods

Using Terminal

Another way to reset the Show Desktop shortcut is by using the Terminal. Here's how:

1. Open Terminal.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

defaults write com.apple.keyboard.plist ApplePressAppFnEnabled -bool false

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

killall SystemUIServer

This command disables the function key (F11) as a modifier key, which should resolve any conflicts with other applications using the same shortcut.

Conclusion

In this article, we covered how to reset the Show Desktop keyboard shortcut in MacOS using the Keyboard preferences and the Terminal. By following the steps outlined above, you should be able to resolve any conflicts and regain control of your preferred shortcut.