From a Former Windows Diehard
As a lifelong Windows user, I’ll admit I was a bit apprehensive when I first made the switch to a shiny new MacBook M1. Sure, the performance and battery life were outstanding, but I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the familiar comforts of my old Windows machine.
One of my biggest gripes? The lackluster functionality of macOS when it came to those little time-saving shortcuts I had grown so accustomed to. Where was my beloved Alt+Tab? And don’t even get me started on the pitfalls of window management. I felt like I was stumbling around in the dark, desperately trying to recreate the seamless workflow I had perfected over the years. [1]
But then, something miraculous happened. I started to uncover a whole world of Finder shortcuts that not only matched the efficiency of my Windows ways, but in many cases, surpassed them. It was like discovering a secret language that only the true macOS power users knew. And let me tell you, once you start using these gems, there’s no going back.
Mastering the Mighty Finder
Let’s start with the basics – navigating the Finder. Sure, the classic Command+N to open a new Finder window is a given, but did you know about Command+Shift+N? That little gem will create a brand new folder right where you need it, no more digging around in menus. [2]
And what about quickly copying a file’s path? Simply select the file, hit Command+Option+C, and voila – the full path is copied to your clipboard, ready to be pasted wherever you need it. No more manually typing out those long, convoluted file routes.
But my personal favorite? Command+Shift+G. This little shortcut opens the Go to Folder dialog, allowing you to quickly jump to any location on your Mac with just a few keystrokes. It’s like having a cheat code for your Finder navigation.
Taming the Chaos
Of course, no discussion of macOS efficiency would be complete without tackling the age-old issue of window management. While Mission Control and virtual desktops are powerful tools, they just couldn’t quite replicate the simplicity of my beloved Alt+Tab.
Enter the wonders of Cmd+~ (that’s Command+tilde, for the uninitiated). This shortcut cycles through all the open windows of your current application, letting you jump between them with lightning speed. And if you really want to get fancy, try Cmd+Shift+~ to cycle in reverse order. [1]
But wait, there’s more! For those times when you need to quickly resize or position a window, the age-old Windows trick of Windows key + arrow keys has a macOS equivalent: Ctrl+Cmd + arrow keys. This lets you easily snap windows to the sides or corners of your screen, or even maximize them with a single keystroke.
The Icing on the Cake
Of course, no macOS efficiency article would be complete without a nod to the mighty Spotlight search. Sure, you can always hit Cmd+Space to summon the search bar, but did you know about Cmd+Shift+G? This shortcut takes you straight to the Go menu, where you can quickly navigate to any folder on your system. [2]
And for those times when you need to quickly access a specific app, try Cmd+Shift+A. This opens the Applications folder, letting you launch your go-to programs with just a few keystrokes.
But perhaps the crown jewel of macOS shortcuts is Cmd+Shift+. (that’s Command+Shift+period). This little gem toggles the display of hidden files and folders in Finder, unlocking a whole new world of system-level access. Just be careful with that one, lest you unleash the wrath of the macOS gods.
The Verdict
So there you have it, my fellow former Windows devotees. While the transition to macOS may have seemed daunting at first, I can confidently say that I’ve never looked back. With these Finder shortcuts in my arsenal, I’m navigating my Mac with the same lightning-fast efficiency I once enjoyed on my trusty Windows machine. [3]
And who knows, maybe I’ll even start using that Mission Control thing one of these days. But for now, I’m content to keep my fingers dancing across the keyboard, unlocking the hidden secrets of macOS one shortcut at a time.
References:
[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/rws59c/those_power_users_who_switched_to_mac_from/
[2] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253873195
[3] https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/182221/how-to-stop-finder-deleting-favorites-bar-shortcuts-that-dont-open-instantly
