Mac Command Shortcut For Switching Between Software

  

The engineering behind each one of Apple’s touchpads make them some of the best on the market today. A quick swipe can move the cursor anywhere you need it, while gestures grant unprecedented levels of control over windows, apps, and much more.

Besides Windows and Mac keyboards having slightly different names, they also swap the positions of two often-used modifier keys: the Command and Option keys. If you’re a long-time Mac user transitioning to a Windows keyboard, the Windows key, which is equivalent to the Mac's Command key, may occupy the physical position of the Option key on a.

Mac command shortcut for switching between software windows 10
  • Aug 21, 2010  Support Communities / Mac OS & System Software / Safari Announcement: The Apple Support app has updated, smarter features and a bold new look. Question: Q: Switching between multiple safari windows. Greetings, Can someone tell me how to switch between two or more open safari windows? Not tabs, but windows. The Command/Tab is not the answer.
  • Oct 26, 2018  Command Tab Plus is a quick, convenient and keyboard-centrica application swithcer for macOS. When working with a lot of apps that run simultaneously, switching between them becomes a.

A user could be forgiven for thinking a smooth touchpad is all they need, but there are keyboard shortcuts that can completely change your experience with macOS.

Many people have a misconception that keyboard shortcuts are only for “power users”—that the average macOS user either cannot use shortcuts or has no use for them. That’s just wrong. The following shortcuts are the absolute most useful macOS keyboard shortcuts you need to memorize. Knowing these shortcuts will help you in every aspect of your macOS experience.

Sep 13, 2016  While you have two or more documents open in your favorite word-processing software, simply press and hold the Command ⌘ key and then strike the (Tilde) key on your keyboard. This keyboard shortcut will switch your word-processing app’s window to the next document you have open, as illustrated by the following animated GIF. The letters in keyboard shortcut combinations are always shown capitalized on-screen, but the Mac recognizes the lowercase versions as well. Thus, you can type either Command+Q or Command+q to quit (exit) the program. Although the Mac OS X menu layout appears to be intuitive and easy to follow, Apple does get a little carried away with shortcuts. Switch Between Windows & Apps With Command + Tab. If you don’t use software to divide your screen into multiple segments (or you need full screen functionality from a single app) and still need to check on something in another window, you can quickly switch between them with Command + Tab. This shortcut moves from your current window to the.

Close Windows & Quit Apps With Command + Q

The red “X” in the upper left corner of any macOS application indicates that it will close the program, but it does not. It only closes the window. If you want to shut the window and the program at the same time, you need to hit Command + Q. The Command key, also called the Apple key, is found to the right and left of the space bar on most Apple keyboards.

This one is easy to remember if you ever forget—just select the app from the menu bar in the top-left and you will see the shortcut displayed beside the “Quit” option.

Switch Between Windows & Apps With Command + Tab

If you don’t use software to divide your screen into multiple segments (or you need full screen functionality from a single app) and still need to check on something in another window, you can quickly switch between them with Command + Tab. This shortcut moves from your current window to the last most recently used window.

A quick tap of the combination will swap between windows, but if you press and hold Command + Tab, a series of icons representing all open apps will appear. Hitting Tab will scroll between them. Select the window you want to open and release the Command key to open it.

Force Quit Frozen & Unresponsive Apps With Command + Option + Esc

Mac Command Shortcut For Switching Between Software

Sometimes apps will lock up or freeze for various reasons. If this happens, you can right click the application in your taskbar or you can hit the keyboard shortcut Command + Option + Esc.

This brings up a list of active programs. Select the one that is unresponsive and choose to force quit it.

Bring Up Spotlight With Command + Space

The built-in Spotlight search on macOS is one of the single most useful tools the platform has to offer. You can bring it up quickly by hitting Command + Space.

The search will appear on-screen, and you can begin typing in your request without ever removing your hands from the keyboard. Spotlight will search your files, emails, messages, and the web for any mention of your search phrase.

Quickly Save Work With Command + S

Almost everyone has experienced the gut-wrenching dread of a sudden crash when your document was unsaved. There’s no need to reach for the floppy disk icon each time you want to save your work; just hit Command + S to save your file.

It’s instant and takes next to no time at all; in fact, you can make it part of your workflow. Finish a sentence and hit Command + S. If you save a file you haven’t previously saved, a prompt will appear for you to select its destination and give it a file name.

Select Everything On-Screen Or In a Document With Command + A

If you need to select every file in a folder for deletion or you need to copy and paste an entire document, hit Command + A. This will select all text or files on screen. You’ll know because the select sections will be highlighted

If you need to quickly copy and paste, just hit Command + C and Command + V.

Skip The Trash & Delete a File Permanently With Command + Delete

Sometimes you just need to delete a file that you know you will never have a use for again. Maybe you took a screenshot of the wrong part of the screen or it was something that was accidentally saved due to an uncontrollable habit of hitting Command + S constantly.

Whatever the reason, you can avoid filling your computer’s storage and delete a file permanently by selecting it and hitting Command + Delete. Be warned, however – there is no taking this action back.

Mac Command Shortcut For Switching Between Software Download

Take a Screenshot With Command + Shift + 3

You can take a screenshot of your entire screen by hitting Command + Shift + 3, but you can also take a screenshot of a specific part of the screen with Command + Shift + 4.

Doing this will transform your cursor into a crosshair. Click and hold the cursor to select the part of the screen you want to take a shot of, then release the cursor to take the picture.

You can also hit Command + Shift + 5 to bring up a list of secondary options for taking screenshots, such as Capture Entire Screen and Capture Selected Portion. Command + Shift + 5 is also capable of recording the screen on certain Mac computers.

MacBook owners have a number of tools that come in very handy for using their laptops efficiently and for maintaining the operating system to keep it running in top shape. These MacBook keyboard shortcuts for the Finder, a maintenance checklist, and a “translation” of the modifier keys will speed you on your way to becoming a MacBook power user.

Mac OS X Finder Keyboard Shortcuts

The Mac OS X Lion Finder helps you access and organize most of the important Mac OS X functions while you work. Use Finder keyboard shortcuts to display windows, copy and move files, and launch applications. These keyboard shortcuts help you get things done more efficiently.

KeyFunction
Command+ASelects all items in the active window (icon view), all items
in the column (column view), or all items in the list (cover flow
view)
Command+CCopies selected items
Command+DDuplicates the selected item(s)
Command+EEjects the selected volume
Command+FDisplays the Find dialog
Command+HHides All Finder windows
Command+IShows info for selected item or items
Command+JShows the view options for the active window
Command+KDisplays the Connect to Server dialog
Command+LCreates an alias for the selected item
Command+MMinimizes the active window
Command+NOpens a new Finder window
Command+OOpens (or launches) the selected item
Command+RShows the original for selected alias
Command+TAdds the selected item to the Sidebar
Command+VPastes items from the Clipboard
Command+WCloses the active window
Command+XCuts the selected items
Command+ZUndoes the last action (if possible)
Command+,Displays Finder Preferences
Command+1Shows the active window in icon mode
Command+2Shows the active window in list mode
Command+3Shows the active window in column mode
Command+4Shows the active window in cover flow mode
Command+[Moves back to the previous Finder location
Command+]Moves forward to the next Finder location
Command+DelMoves selected items to the Trash
Command+up-arrowShow enclosing folder
Command+`Cycles through windows
Command+?Displays the Mac OS X Help Viewer
Command+Shift+ATakes you to your Applications folder
Command+Shift+CTakes you to the top-level Computer location
Command+Shift+GTakes you to a folder that you specify
Command+Shift+HTakes you to your Home folder
Command+Shift+IConnects you to your iDisk
Command+Shift+QLogs you out
Command+Shift+NCreates a new untitled folder in the active window
Command+Shift+UTakes you to your Utilities folder
Command+Shift+DelDeletes the contents of the Trash
Command+Option+HHides all windows except the Finder’s window(s)
Command+Option+NCreates a new Smart Folder
Command+Option+THides the Finder window toolbar
Command+Option+SpaceOpens the Spotlight window
Command+SpaceOpens the Spotlight menu
F8Choose another desktop using Spaces
Control+up-arrow (or F3, depending on your keyboard model)Displays the Mission Control screen
Control+down-arrow (or Control+F3, depending on your keyboard
model)
Shows all open windows for the current application using
Mission Control
F11 (or Command+F3, depending on your keyboard model)Hides all windows to display the Desktop using Mission
Control
F12 (or F4, depending on your keyboard model)Displays your Dashboard widgets
SpaceQuick Look

Strange-Looking Keys on the MacBook Keyboard

New to the Macintosh world? Some keys on the MacBook keyboard may be mystifying. Whether you’re using Snow Leopard or an older version of Mac OS X, recognizing and using modifier keys will make your job easier. Here’s a look at the modifier keys on both MacBook and desktop keyboards:

Computer Commands Shortcuts

Mac OS X Maintenance Checklist

Mac Command Shortcut For Switching Between Software Windows 7

Maintenance is vital if you want to keep Mac OS X Lion in tip-top condition for as long as possible. Maintaining your MacBook keeps it running fast and smooth. Basic housekeeping includes regular back-ups plus some other, less familiar, tasks. Check this table often, or print it and keep a copy near your laptop!

Command Shortcuts For Mac

Mac Maintenance TaskSchedule
Check for updates with Software UpdateOnce a day (automatic setting)
Back up with Time MachineAutomatic
Defragment (Micromat TechTool Pro/Prosoft Engineering Drive
Genius 3)
Once a week
Repair Disk Permissions (Disk Utility)Once a week
Delete Unnecessary User Accounts (System Preferences)As necessary
Scan for viruses (Intego VirusBarrier X6, ClamXav 2)Automatic
Check all volumes (Disk Utility/ Micromat TechTool Pro)Once a week
Check for the latest drivers for your hardwareOnce a month (or after installing new hardware)
Delete temporary Internet cache files (Prosoft Engineering
Drive Genius 3)
Once a month