I'm trying to do what this question asked (this question has no valid answers with functional code using pynput): Press Windows+D with pynput. But, my attempts are not working as expected.
On Linux Ubuntu, pressing Windows + d will minimize all windows, thereby showing the desktop. Doing it again will bring all the windows back as they were.
Here's my code:
import time
from pynput.keyboard import Key, Controller
keyboard = Controller()
SUPER_KEY = Key.cmd
keyboard.press(SUPER_KEY)
# time.sleep(1)
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
keyboard.release(SUPER_KEY)
When I run it, I expect the Windows + d shortcut to be pressed, hiding all windows. Instead, only the Windows key is pressed, which brings up the program launcher search tool, and then a single d is left printed in my terminal, like this:
$ ./pynput_press_Windows+D_to_show_the_desktop.py
$ d
How do I get this to work?
The reference documentation says (https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html) that Key.cmd is the "Super" or "Windows" key. I've also tried with Key.cmd_l and Key.cmd_r.
cmd= 0A generic command button. On PC platforms, this corresponds to the Super key or Windows key, and on Mac it corresponds to the Command key. This may be a modifier.
cmd_l= 0The left command button. On PC platforms, this corresponds to the Super key or Windows key, and on Mac it corresponds to the Command key. This may be a modifier.
cmd_r= 0The right command button. On PC platforms, this corresponds to the Super key or Windows key, and on Mac it corresponds to the Command key. This may be a modifier.
Update 4 June 2023: keyboard monitor test program, to ensure Key.cmd + d is correct for my keyboard (it is): modified from https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html#monitoring-the-keyboard:
from pynput import keyboard
print("Keyboard monitor demo program. Press Esc to exit.")
def on_press(key):
try:
print('alphanumeric key {0} pressed'.format(
key.char))
except AttributeError:
print('special key {0} pressed'.format(
key))
def on_release(key):
print('{0} released'.format(
key))
if key == keyboard.Key.esc:
# Stop listener
print("Exiting the program.")
return False
# Collect events until released
with keyboard.Listener(
on_press=on_press,
on_release=on_release) as listener:
listener.join()
Sample output when I press Super + D:
$ ./pynput_monitor_keyboard.py
Keyboard monitor demo program. Press Esc to exit.
Key.enter released
special key Key.cmd pressed
alphanumeric key d pressed
'd' released
Key.cmd released
I just want to tie the loose ends on this question.
As far as I can tell, my code in the question is fine. @Сергей Кох's answer is fine too. There is just a bug in pynput is all, preventing it from working in Ubuntu. Super + D fails, Ctrl + Super + D fails, Ctrl + Alt + D fails.
I'm on Ubuntu 22.04.2, and even in the X11 window manager (as opposed to Wayland), it still doesn't work.
Here's my bug report: Bug on Linux: Windows (Super) + D doesn't work
Here is some valid code that should work. If you have a Mac or Windows, please try it out and leave a comment if this code works or not. Both techniques here should be equally valid. Note: a list of all possible keys is here: https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html#pynput.keyboard.Key
import time
from pynput.keyboard import Key, Controller
# ========== technique 1 ===========
# From: https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html
print("Trying technique 1")
keyboard = Controller()
SUPER_KEY = Key.cmd
with keyboard.pressed(SUPER_KEY):
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
time.sleep(1.0)
# ========== technique 2 ===========
print("Trying technique 2")
keyboard = Controller()
SUPER_KEY = Key.cmd
keyboard.press(SUPER_KEY)
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
keyboard.release(SUPER_KEY)
The suggestion was made to try Ctrl + Windows + D. It makes no difference, and also doesn't work due to whatever bug is going on. Here is my test code. Note: I also tried Key.ctrl_l instead of Key.ctrl, and it made no difference.
import time
from pynput.keyboard import Key, Controller
# ========== technique 1 ===========
# From: https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html
print("Trying technique 1")
keyboard = Controller()
SUPER_KEY = Key.cmd
with keyboard.pressed(Key.ctrl):
with keyboard.pressed(SUPER_KEY):
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
time.sleep(1.0)
# ========== technique 2 ===========
print("Trying technique 2")
keyboard = Controller()
SUPER_KEY = Key.cmd
keyboard.press(Key.ctrl)
keyboard.press(SUPER_KEY)
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
keyboard.release(SUPER_KEY)
keyboard.release(Key.ctrl)
Ctrl + Alt + D also works manually, same as the options above, but not with pynput. This code also fails to have any effect. Note that I also tried Key.alt_gr and Key.alt_l in place of Key.alt in the code below, and both of those failed too:
import time
from pynput.keyboard import Key, Controller
# ========== technique 1 ===========
# From: https://pynput.readthedocs.io/en/latest/keyboard.html
print("Trying technique 1")
keyboard = Controller()
with keyboard.pressed(Key.ctrl):
with keyboard.pressed(Key.alt):
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
time.sleep(1.0)
# ========== technique 2 ===========
print("Trying technique 2")
keyboard = Controller()
keyboard.press(Key.ctrl)
keyboard.press(Key.alt)
keyboard.press('d')
keyboard.release('d')
keyboard.release(Key.alt)
keyboard.release(Key.ctrl)
So, for people on Ubuntu, if you want to automate a tool to press Windows + D, use wmctrl or ydotool instead:
xdotool in Wayland), and