Mac OS Tips and Tricks for New Users Transitioning from Windows

As a new Mac user making the transition from Windows, you're likely ready to dive into the unique features and capabilities of macOS. This guide provides some essential tips and tricks to get you started and make the most of your Mac experience.

The State of Mac OS and Older Systems

Mac OS Sierra is quite outdated and almost obsolete, designed to run on Macs that are 8 years or older. While the newer systems are preferred, older Macs with removable internal storage can still be found, albeit less frequently. Sources like Otherworld Computing, DV Warehouse, and eBay often have these units, though they can be hard to find in working condition.

Windows to Mac Migration

Thankfully, migrating from Windows to Mac is fairly straightforward, thanks to Apple's included Windows Migration Assistant. This tool allows you to transfer your data over via Ethernet, making the transition smooth. However, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with common data formats to avoid any compatibility issues during the migration process.

Essential Tips and Tricks for New Mac Users

New Mac users often need to explore their devices to uncover all the hidden capabilities. Here are some key features, shortcuts, and tricks to help you navigate and utilize your Mac effectively:

Desktop and App Management

Activate Spotlight for Searching: Press Command Space to bring up Spotlight, a powerful search tool that lets you locate files, answer questions, and perform calculations. This is incredibly handy for quickly finding what you need.

Swap Between Apps: Use Command Tab to switch between open applications. Hold Command and press Tab to cycle through the open apps until the one you want is highlighted. This is a quick way to multi-task on your Mac.

Close Apps from the App Switcher: While in Command Tab view, press Q Command to close an open app instantly. This is a great way to clean up your workspace when you're done with a task.

Hot Corners and Quick Actions

Hot Corners: Explore Hot Corners for additional quick actions. You can set tasks to activate based on where your mouse hovers, like launching Mission Control or showing the desktop. Set them up in System Preferences → Mission Control → Hot Corners. For more precise control, hold down the Option key when setting up a Hot Corner.

Hide a Window: Quickly hide a window on your desktop by pressing Command H. This is useful for multitasking, as the app will disappear to the background. To get it back, click the app's icon in the Dock or use Command Tab.

Hide All Windows: Hold Option Command H to hide all windows except the one you are currently using, saving workspace space.

Cycle Between App Windows: Use Command the Tilde (~) key to switch between multiple windows of the same application like Safari. This is perfect for multitasking within the same application.

Switch between Multiple Desktops: Use the Control button along with the left or right arrow to quickly switch between multiple desktops you have set up.

Managing Files

Quickly Open Folders: Hold Command and press the down arrow to open a folder in Finder or on your desktop. Press Command and the up arrow to go back to the previous folder.

Clean Up Your Desktop: If you are using macOS Mojave or later, right-click and choose Instant File Deletion. When you want a quick way to delete a file without using the Trash, select the file and press Option Command Delete.

Create an Auto-Duplicating File: Right-click and select Screenshots → Video Screenshots. Use Shift Command 3 to take a screenshot, Shift Command 4 for a selected area, or Shift Command 5 for more advanced capture options, including recording the screen.

Cleaner Screenshots: When using Shift Command 4, pressing the spacebar turns the icon into a camera. Click any open window to capture just that window, or capture the entire dock or menu bar.

Safari

Safari Picture-in-Picture YouTube: Watch a video in Safari while multitasking. Right-click twice on a YouTube video to bring up the picture-in-picture feature.

Safari Picture-in-Picture Pt. 2: If right-clicking doesn't work, look for the audio icon in the Safari toolbar and right-click it to access picture-in-picture.

Easier Link Copying: To copy the current URL in Safari, press Command L to highlight the URL bar, then use Command C to copy it. This is a quick way to avoid using a mouse.

Apple Watch Compatibility

Unlocking with Apple Watch: Use your Apple Watch to unlock your Mac, a useful feature if you've set it up. To enable this, go to System Preferences → Security Privacy, and toggle on Unlock Mac with Apple Watch.

Apple Watch Password Authentication: With macOS Catalina and an Apple Watch, you can use your Apple Watch as an alternative to passwords, reducing the need to frequently type them in.

Notification Center

Activate DND Quickly: Hold the Option key and click on the Notification Center icon in the top-right corner of your Mac's menu bar to activate Do Not Disturb.

Keyboard Tricks

Alternate Mouse Control: Enable Alternate Control Methods in Accessibility settings to control the mouse cursor with your keyboard. Turn on Mouse Keys and use the keyboard to move the mouse when Option is pressed five times.

Quick Access to Function Key Settings: Hold down Option while pressing a function key to access the corresponding preferences in System Preferences. This works for Mission Control, Brightness, and media playback settings, though it's not available on Touch Bar Macs.

With these tips and tricks, you'll quickly become familiar with your new Mac and unlock its potential. While some of these features and shortcuts might take time to get used to, the benefit of a powerful and efficient Mac work environment is well worth the investment.