[SOLVED] .desktop file -shortcut- not working

[tovian]

I'm running a very current kubuntu.
(Ubuntu 17.10 / 64 with KDE Plasma 5.10.5)

I have defined 3 activities (desktops). On my main (original) desktop all my .desktop entries (shortcuts) work correctly and launch the application/command properly. On my second and third desktops I can right-click an application from the main menu then select add to desktop. That works correctly, but when I double-click the icon (shortcut) the .desktop file opens in Kwrite and I'm looking at the text file.

I know I did this to myself when I was presented with a choice about how to open .desktop files. I was rushing and clicked the wrong option. Now, I cannot get back to the default operation.

I've already tried deleting an activity and re-creating it. That did not work. Is my only option to re-install kubuntu or is this fixable?

Thanks in advance...

[Snowhog]

Welcome to KFN.

It's fixable. I can't tell you how, but hang out and you will get the answer you need.

[oshunluvr]

Are you using Activities or Virtual Desktops? They're not the same thing.

Anyway, try this: cat ~/.config/kiorc

Which should result in this:

[Confirmations]
ConfirmDelete=true
ConfirmTrash=false


[Executable scripts]
behaviourOnLaunch=execute

If your last line says:

behaviourOnLaunch=open

you've found your problem. Edit it and save and try again.

[tovian]

Are you using Activities or Virtual Desktops?

Activities

Edit it and save and try again.

Done and done. It is now working correctly.

THANKS VERY MUCH

btw: If I have an app (Firefox) open in/on my first activity is there a way I can push it to a different activity? I tried a drag/drop onto the Activities navigation bar, but that didn't work.

[oshunluvr]

Activities...

...If I have an app (Firefox) open in/on my first activity is there a way I can push it to a different activity? I tried a drag/drop onto the Activities navigation bar, but that didn't work.

Yes. Right-click on the top of the window - on the title bar. An "Activities" option will appear. If you hover over it, you should see a selection menu where you can select which activity to display that window on along with "All" - which would display it on every activity desktop.

[tovian]

Good Answer... works perfectly. THANK YOU !!