Google recently released the official Gemini desktop app for Windows. It's incredibly convenient to use while working, as you can keep it running in the background and trigger a floating window over your screen with a single shortcut. However, since the default launch shortcut is set to 'Alt + Space,' those who frequently use Windows window menus or love using Microsoft PowerToys Run might have been surprised by the shortcut conflict.

The solution is much simpler than you might think. Just click the settings icon in the Gemini app window, or right-click the Gemini icon in your system tray and head to the 'Keyboard shortcut' menu. Once there, click the default Alt + Space input box, enter your preferred new global shortcut (e.g., Ctrl + Space or Alt + G), and save it. Alternatively, changing the activation shortcut for PowerToys Run to something like Alt + Shift + Space is another great way to resolve the issue.

It's always a bit of a hassle when new tools have overlapping shortcuts, but this is a quick fix that takes less than a minute. If you want a smoother experience with Gemini in Windows, take this chance to set up a shortcut that feels natural to you. 😄