How to improve usability of Windows on a MacBook

You can install Windows on a MacBook/iMac using Bootcamp.

I like to customize Windows to look like macOS to avoid the burden of context switching.

Here is a list of things I do after installing Windows on a MacBook:

1. During the Windows setup choose a lowercase username with no spaces.
   Some terminal commands have troubles with paths with spaces.
   BAD: John Smith
   GOOD: johnsmith
   Try to have the same username as on macOS.
2. Download Chrome or Firefox browser
3. Install Avast antivirus
   it’s way easier to get a virus on Windows so before you download all the nice software below do install an antivirus
4. Fix shortcuts by mapping CMD to control
   Use SharpKeys to map the CMD key to the control key.
   This way you will be able to use shortcuts like CMD+C on Windows.
   I suggest you map both the left CMD and the right CMD buttons to control
5. Clean the taskbar
   Hide Cortana
   Hide Task View
   Hide Search
   Remove OneDrive even from the hidden icons
   Unpin Microsoft Edge
   Unpin Mail
6. Pin the programs you use daily to the taskbar
   Open Chrome, right click on the Chrome and choose Pin to taskbar
7. Remove spotlight on Lock
   Windows at login shows an extra screen with a bunch of clutter called Spotlight. You can disable the Spotlight screen so you will see directly the Lockscreen password input field.
8. Reverse scrolling
   Invert the vertical scrolling to match the direction you use on macOS
9. Install Trackpad++ driver for touchpad
   even with this your touchpad might not be as smooth as on macOS. Many people suggest giving up and using a mouse.
10. Install macOS cursor icons
    You can have the same cursor icons of macOS on Windows. For example the default white arrow of Windows will become the black arrow of macOS.
11. Set bottom-right hot corner for Desktop
    On Windows there is a tiny button on the bottom-right edge of the screen on the taskbar just right of the clock. If you click it you will be shown the Desktop.
    You can add a Hot Corner on macOS to also point to the Desktop.
12. Use Dropbox to sync files between macOS and Windows
13. Use a password manager like LastPass to sync passwords
14. On macOS install VMWare Fusion so you can launch Windows Bootcamp as a VM window without rebooting and olding the alt key to select the OS

For Developers

1. Download Hyper terminal to replace the Command Prompt
2. Use a minimal code editor like Atom or Sublime
   Avoid Visual Studio and Android Studio if you can. They are even slower than Xcode.
3. Install the git cli and a SourceTree git GUI
   during the git setup choose to install unix tools so you will be able to use commands like ls
4. Use FiraCode font in editors and terminals
5. Use the same theme in all editors and terminals

This checklist is very opinionated and follows the principle of LESS IS MORE.