Mac OSX Switching Guide

Since 2011 I’m using a MacBook Air as my primary personal device. While not everything is gold over here, I didn’t regret the switch.

I have assembled a few nice-to-have tricks for the novice Mac user to make it easier

• to move from Windows to MacOSX
• to deal with Windows and MacOSX in parallel on a daily basis (like I do, mostly due to the fact that Windows is the only true supported system by my office IT department)

These alterations are not a statement on which side has it right, it’s more of an attempt to reduce the amount of mental adjustments when switching.

1. The missing Cut & Paste

For Windows users Cut & Paste is almost as important as Copy & Paste. For historic reasons, Mac’s do nothing if you try the CMD + X keyboard shortcut.

If you want the same beavior, install the free XtraFinder. Then go to its preferences and enable Cut & Paste.

Bonus: If you want to see folders on top of finder views (like Windows does it), XtraFinder can help you, too.

2. The missing “Snap”-Feature

While I don’t need the other visual “helpers” in Windows 7, I did grow accustomed to Snap. If I want to see to windows next to each other, I just need to drag them to one side and they snap in place.

If you want this as well, install BetterSnapTool ($ 1.99 Mac App Store). There are plenty of alternative window managers (with a lot more functions) available.

3. Closing programs

Windows got me used to the fact, that a red button in the corner quits the app entirely. In MacOS this depends on the app. Most of them close the current window, but stay active and also stay in the dock. If I would want this behavior, I would click on the Minimize-Button.

Thankfully, RedQuits brings the Windows-feeling over. But look out, in Yosemite I stumbled upon weird behaviour with my favorite clipboard manager.

4. Document saving

I’ve written about in detail — since OSX Lion Apple incorporated a new document saving model. For a more or less consistent Windows-like behavior follow the steps in the old article and create a new keyboard shortcut.

5. Enable “Right-Click”

Windows users and mouse users (exception: Magic Mouse) use the (bottom) right part of their trackpad/mouse to bring up a context menu with further options. You can change that in MacOS directly in the system settings. OSXDaily offers a good walktrough.

Interestingly, Windows 10 will use the same “Double Tap” as default MacOS to bring up the context menu.

6. File system support

One of the first things you might want to install is a NTFS-driver. Otherwise every USB thumb drive formatted with NTFS (Windows standard) won’t be able to receive files from your Mac (no write support). There is a free FUSE-driver and a paid alternative.

7. Virtualization

There willl be edge cases where a certain Windows software isn’t available for Mac. In that case you can install a virtual windows inside your Mac. Virtualbox is the place to go for a working, free virtualization suite. If you have deeper pockets you get deeper integration with Parallels.