KDE: disable super_L (windows key) key shortcut as menu launcher

In KDE Plasma 5.8, the super/win key is also used to trigger the launcher, when pressed and released without combining it with another key. To disable the feature,

  1. put this into ~/.config/kwinrc:

    [ModifierOnlyShortcuts]
    Meta=
    
  2. then reload the window manager (kwin), either by logging out and logging back in, or with with this command:

    qdbus org.kde.KWin /KWin reconfigure
    

Sources:

  • Initial announcement of the feature https://blog.martin-graesslin.com/blog/2016/08/modifier-only-shortcuts-available-in-plasma-5-8/
  • An answer from Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/kde/comments/55udc1/how_do_i_stop_the_meta_key_from_opening_the/d8epzzj/
  • Plasma tips on KDE's own wiki, with further tips for Latte Dock users https://userbase.kde.org/Plasma/Tips#Windows.2FMeta_Key