While you might be familiar with keyboard shortcuts on Windows due to frequent usage, getting to know the shortcuts on Mac OS could initially seem challenging. For users transitioning from Windows to Mac OS, the following keyboard shortcuts for Mac OS X will be incredibly useful, aiding in quick adaptation and ease of use.
List of Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac OS X
Top 10 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts for Mac OS X
1. Quit Application Shortcut
When running an application on Mac and you want to completely close it, simply use the shortcut Cmd + Q to swiftly accomplish your task.
2. Close Active Window
If you simply want to close the active application window without quitting the application altogether, you can use the shortcut Cmd + W on the keyboard.
3. Open New Tab
Similar to using Windows, instead of opening a new window which could be time-consuming, you can open a new tab by pressing the shortcut Cmd + T.
4. Quick Switch Between Applications
Mac OS X allows you to swiftly switch between active applications without using the mouse. Simply press Cmd + Tab, then press Tab to switch to the desired application.
5. Spotlight Search - Find All Files
Enables you to search for all files and applications running on Mac. You can use the shortcut Cmd + Space to access it quickly.
6. Force Quit an Application
Running multiple applications simultaneously, unfortunately, your machine freezes. To force quit this application, use the shortcut Cmd + Option + Esc
7. Cut, Copy, Paste, and Undo Shortcuts
You might be familiar with these features on Windows; similarly, on Mac, you can use the Cmd key along with Z, X, C, V keys for undo, cut, copy, and paste, respectively.
8. Find Words and Phrases
To quickly search for a specific word or phrase, you no longer need to waste time. To activate the application search bar, simply use the shortcut Cmd + F to perform the task.
9. Rapid Startup with Quick Look
This can be considered a fantastic utility that allows you to quickly preview a media file without actually opening it. Simply click on the media file you want to view, then press the Spacebar or use the shortcut Cmd + Y.
10. Shutdown, Sleep, and Restart Shortcuts
Unlike Windows operating system, with Mac OS, if you want to switch your system to modes such as: shut down, sleep, or restart, you just need to press Control + Eject on the keyboard to complete the task.
With 10 basic shortcuts used in the Mac operating system, hopefully, you can access and use the basic functions of this operating system more proficiently.