GNOME's Nautilus file manager has introduced long-requested keyboard shortcuts for copying and pasting files, aligning it with competitors like KDE's Dolphin and Xfce's Thunar. The update, contributed by developer Christopher Davis, was merged into the GNOME 48 development cycle. This change addresses user feedback on accessibility and efficiency.
In the world of Linux desktop environments, GNOME's Nautilus file manager has been valued for its clean interface and integration within the GNOME ecosystem. However, it previously lacked basic keyboard shortcuts for file operations, a gap that frustrated users accustomed to standards from other tools.
The recent addition of Ctrl+Insert for copying files and Shift+Insert for pasting them marks a significant update. As reported by Phoronix, developer Christopher Davis contributed the patch, noting that these shortcuts are “widely supported in other file managers and applications.” This enhancement was integrated into the GNOME 48 development cycle, responding to longstanding community requests.
Historically, Nautilus has emphasized touch-friendly designs and gesture-based interactions, sometimes overlooking traditional keyboard workflows. A 2022 thread on Reddit's r/gnome subreddit highlighted frustrations with features like copying file paths, comparing Nautilus unfavorably to Windows File Explorer. The update signals GNOME's attentiveness to such feedback, potentially appealing more to power users who switch between desktop environments.
Nautilus originated in the late 1990s as a web browser-like file viewer and has evolved into a streamlined manager, installed as part of the core GNOME package. Recent improvements include the GNOME 46 release's explicit global search feature and GNOME 43's list view enhancements with rubber banding and animations.
The news has sparked positive reactions on X (formerly Twitter), where a Phoronix post announcing the change received over 5,000 views. User @jreuben1 shared the link, praising the move toward parity with KDE and Xfce tools. Technically, the patch works within Nautilus's GTK-based framework, mirroring behaviors in terminal applications and aiding users reliant on keyboard navigation, including those with motor impairments.
While welcome, the update underscores GNOME's occasional lag in adopting commonplace standards. Community discussions on platforms like Hacker News and Ask Ubuntu reveal past workarounds for similar issues, emphasizing the need for ongoing refinements to maintain user loyalty.