How to Set a Keyboard Shortcut to Open Spotlight

To open Spotlight using the default keyboard shortcut, press the command key (⌘) and tap the space bar. You can also click on the magnifying glass in the menu bar or set your own, custom keyboard shortcut using the 'Keyboard' settings u...

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Default Keyboard Shortcut

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    Press and hold .
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    Tap Space. This opens Spotlight in the center of your screen.
    1. You can also click on the magnifying glass icon on the menu bar in the upper-right corner of the screen to open Spotlight.
Method 2 of 2:

Setting a Custom Keyboard Shortcut

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    Click on the Apple menu. It's the black, apple-shaped icon in the upper-left of your screen.
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    Click on System Preferences.
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    Click on Keyboard. It's in the center of the preferences window.
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    Click on Shortcuts.
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    Click on Spotlight. It's in the left pane of the dialog box.
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    Click on Show Spotlight Search. It's in the right pane of the dialog box. When you click on the text, it will highlight in blue.
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    Click on ⌘Space. It will highlight in lighter blue.
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    Type the key combination for your custom shortcut. You have now set a keyboard shortcut for Spotlight.
    1. Return to this dialog box and click on Restore Defaults if you'd like to return the shortcuts to their default settings.
Update 04 March 2020
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