According to analysts, Apple sold a staggering 6.5 million MacBook units in the third quarter of 2021. That represents an impressive 10% growth in its Mac sales from the same quarter of the previous year.
Those figures also imply that Macs are becoming more popular in the consumer market. So, if you need a new computer yourself, it may be time to consider making the switch to Apple.
Don’t worry, though, as we’re here to share the top tips on how to switch from Windows to Mac. So, read on to learn what you can do to make the transition easier and get the most out of your fancy new Apple computer.
Use Command In Place Of CTRL
One of the first things you’ll notice on your Mac is that its Control (⌃) key doesn’t work like the CTRL key on Windows. For a start, it serves as a modifier key for cursor-related commands.
It’s the Command key, with the cloverleaf logo (⌘) you want if you’re looking for the equivalent of CTRL. There are two of those keys on your Mac keyboard, one on each side of the Spacebar key.
Since the ⌘ key on Mac is what the CTRL key is to Windows, it’s also the most common modifier key on Apple computers. As such, it’s one of the primary keys you need to press to execute many of the 100+ keyboard shortcuts on Mac.
For instance, if you want to copy text, you must press ⌘ + C and ⌘ + V to paste the copied text. Then, if you need to save something, the Mac shortcut is ⌘ + S. Other examples are ⌘ + A for select all, ⌘ + Z for undo, and ⌘ + T to open a new tab.
Say Goodbye To Right-Click
When you switch from Windows to Mac, it might come as a surprise that the latter’s touchpad is a single, large button. Even the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse look button-less, as they have smooth surfaces.
That doesn’t mean you can no longer perform actions similar to the right-click of your old Windows PC. You can still do that with what Apple calls the Secondary Click.
One way to execute the Secondary Click is to press Control (⌃) while you tap your touchpad with one finger. The other method is to use two fingers simultaneously to tap the touchpad.
Hit Delete To Backspace
There’s no dedicated Backspace key on Apple’s built-in or Magic keyboards. Instead, they have the Delete key, which works the same as the Windows Backspace key. So, pressing Delete on your Mac will erase the character to the left of your cursor or move it back one space to the left.
It may take you some time to get used to, seeing as Delete on Windows gets rid of the character to the right of the cursor.
So, what then is the direct equivalent of the Windows Delete key on your Mac? Unfortunately, there’s no dedicated key for that, either. However, there’s a keyboard shortcut for that, which is FN (Function) + Delete.
Transition From Internet Explorer To Safari
On December 31, 2005, Microsoft ended its support for Internet Explorer on Macs. That included stopping further performance and security updates to IE for Mac.
That’s also why you won’t find Internet Explorer on the Mac App Store. Instead, you’ll only find Safari, Apple’s proprietary browser, built into your Mac.
The biggest incentive to using Safari is its seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. For instance, syncing your iPhone to your Mac lets you open your phone’s active tabs on your computer. You can also set up iCloud for Safari on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
Unfortunately, there are still healthcare and government sites requiring Internet Explorer. One reason is that they continue to rely on the browser as the interface of some of their applications. So, unless you use IE on these sites, they may not display or function properly.
The good news is that you can tweak Safari to emulate IE. Your other option is to use a virtual machine to launch the browser from your Apple computer. If you’re not sure how to do either, you might want to check out this guide on using Internet Explorer in Mac.
Transfer Your Windows PC Data To Your Mac
According to analysts, Apple sold a staggering 6.5 million MacBook units in the third quarter of 2021. That represents an impressive 10% growth in its Mac sales from the same quarter of the previous year.
Those figures also imply that Macs are becoming more popular in the consumer market. So, if you need a new computer yourself, it may be time to consider making the switch to Apple.
Don’t worry, though, as we’re here to share the top tips on how to switch from Windows to Mac. So, read on to learn what you can do to make the transition easier and get the most out of your fancy new Apple computer.
Use Command In Place Of CTRL
One of the first things you’ll notice on your Mac is that its Control (⌃) key doesn’t work like the CTRL key on Windows. For a start, it serves as a modifier key for cursor-related commands.
It’s the Command key, with the cloverleaf logo (⌘) you want if you’re looking for the equivalent of CTRL. There are two of those keys on your Mac keyboard, one on each side of the Spacebar key.
Since the ⌘ key on Mac is what the CTRL key is to Windows, it’s also the most common modifier key on Apple computers. As such, it’s one of the primary keys you need to press to execute many of the 100+ keyboard shortcuts on Mac.
For instance, if you want to copy text, you must press ⌘ + C and ⌘ + V to paste the copied text. Then, if you need to save something, the Mac shortcut is ⌘ + S. Other examples are ⌘ + A for select all, ⌘ + Z for undo, and ⌘ + T to open a new tab.
Say Goodbye To Right-Click
When you switch from Windows to Mac, it might come as a surprise that the latter’s touchpad is a single, large button. Even the Magic Trackpad and Magic Mouse look button-less, as they have smooth surfaces.
That doesn’t mean you can no longer perform actions similar to the right-click of your old Windows PC. You can still do that with what Apple calls the Secondary Click.
One way to execute the Secondary Click is to press Control (⌃) while you tap your touchpad with one finger. The other method is to use two fingers simultaneously to tap the touchpad.
Hit Delete To Backspace
There’s no dedicated Backspace key on Apple’s built-in or Magic keyboards. Instead, they have the Delete key, which works the same as the Windows Backspace key. So, pressing Delete on your Mac will erase the character to the left of your cursor or move it back one space to the left.
It may take you some time to get used to, seeing as Delete on Windows gets rid of the character to the right of the cursor.
So, what then is the direct equivalent of the Windows Delete key on your Mac? Unfortunately, there’s no dedicated key for that, either. However, there’s a keyboard shortcut for that, which is FN (Function) + Delete.
Transition From Internet Explorer To Safari
On December 31, 2005, Microsoft ended its support for Internet Explorer on Macs. That included stopping further performance and security updates to IE for Mac.
That’s also why you won’t find Internet Explorer on the Mac App Store. Instead, you’ll only find Safari, Apple’s proprietary browser, built into your Mac.
The biggest incentive to using Safari is its seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. For instance, syncing your iPhone to your Mac lets you open your phone’s active tabs on your computer. You can also set up iCloud for Safari on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad.
Unfortunately, there are still healthcare and government sites requiring Internet Explorer. One reason is that they continue to rely on the browser as the interface of some of their applications. So, unless you use IE on these sites, they may not display or function properly.
The good news is that you can tweak Safari to emulate IE. Your other option is to use a virtual machine to launch the browser from your Apple computer. If you’re not sure how to do either, you might want to check out this guide on using Internet Explorer in Mac.
Transfer Your Windows PC Data To Your Mac
Windows Migration Assistant is a program that lets you move data from your old Windows PC to your new Mac. For instance, it can transfer bookmarks, calendars, contacts, email accounts, and pictures. However, this app only works on devices running Windows 7 or later.
You need to download the migration tool on both computers to start the transfer. After that, install the software on your PC and then do the same on your Mac. The program should automatically launch upon successful installation.
From there, follow the on-screen instructions on your Windows PC first. Once you get to the part where your PC says it’s waiting for your Mac to connect, you can move on to finish the steps on your Mac.
Back Your Data Up Using Time Machine
In a 2019 study, 65.1 percent of surveyed consumers reported experiencing data loss. Such losses, in turn, occurred due to accidental deletion or software/hardware failure.
That should be enough reason to create backups for the data that your new Mac will contain. One of the easiest ways to do that is to use Time Machine, Apple’s native data backup system.
To use Time Machine, though, you need to connect an external hard drive to your Mac. After that, go to System Preferences and access the Time Machine setting. Select the EHD you want to use and then mark the box beside the option that says “Back Up Automatically.”
Once you’ve done all that, your Mac will start creating and storing backups in your selected EHD.
Follow These Tips On How To Switch From Windows To Mac
There you have it, your ultimate guide on how to switch from Windows to Mac. So long as you keep our tips in mind, you can shorten your learning curve, and from there, use your iMac or MacBook like a pro.
Did you find this article informative? In that case, know that we’ve got more hacks to share with you! So, feel free to browse our site’s other categories for our latest technology guides.
Windows Migration Assistant is a program that lets you move data from your old Windows PC to your new Mac. For instance, it can transfer bookmarks, calendars, contacts, email accounts, and pictures. However, this app only works on devices running Windows 7 or later.
You need to download the migration tool on both computers to start the transfer. After that, install the software on your PC and then do the same on your Mac. The program should automatically launch upon successful installation.
From there, follow the on-screen instructions on your Windows PC first. Once you get to the part where your PC says it’s waiting for your Mac to connect, you can move on to finish the steps on your Mac.
Back Your Data Up Using Time Machine
In a 2019 study, 65.1 percent of surveyed consumers reported experiencing data loss. Such losses, in turn, occurred due to accidental deletion or software/hardware failure.
That should be enough reason to create backups for the data that your new Mac will contain. One of the easiest ways to do that is to use Time Machine, Apple’s native data backup system.
To use Time Machine, though, you need to connect an external hard drive to your Mac. After that, go to System Preferences and access the Time Machine setting. Select the EHD you want to use and then mark the box beside the option that says “Back Up Automatically.”
Once you’ve done all that, your Mac will start creating and storing backups in your selected EHD.
Follow These Tips On How To Switch From Windows To Mac
There you have it, your ultimate guide on how to switch from Windows to Mac. So long as you keep our tips in mind, you can shorten your learning curve, and from there, use your iMac or MacBook like a pro.
Did you find this article informative? In that case, know that we’ve got more hacks to share with you! So, feel free to browse our site’s other categories for our latest technology guides.
