It’s quite common for a new Mac user to feel a little intimidated by the difference in system and hardware in general from Apple computers over ordinary PCs. After all, besides the operating system is completely different, even small things like simple keyboard shortcuts can end up looking like a challenge at first. That’s why we’ve put together a very neat list of the best Mac shortcuts you could find to make it easier to use on a day-to-day basis. Check it out below!
Table of Contents
1. Select items
As with many other systems, you can use the “Command” and “A” shortcut to select multiple items (such as text, programs, etc.) at once.
This works for the active window you are in, so if you are on the desktop, this command will select everything.
2. Copy items
To copy items or even a block of text, you can use the simple “Command” and “C” shortcut. This command is also similar to what we see in Windows, for example.
It ends up making things quite easy since instead of clicking on an item every time, you can simply use the keyboard.
3. Duplicate items
Another very useful command is to duplicate items. You can do this by pressing the “Command” and “D” keys at the same time.
This way, you can duplicate a sentence or paragraph of a text that you have previously copied. The same can be done with files and icons, of course.
4. Eject a volume
When you have a storage volume (such as a thumb drive, for example) inserted in your Mac, you can eject it quite simply.
Just press the “Command” and “E” keys at the same time. Much simpler than a normal process, is not it?
5. Search
To open a search box on your Mac, you just need to press the “Command” and “F” keys at the same time.
It works the same way that we have in Windows, for example. So if you are reading a text and want to find a specific term or phrase, you can open this box and type what you are looking for.
6. Information about an item
To see more information about a program or file on your Mac, you can also use another very simple shortcut.
Just select the item in question and press the “Command” and “I” keys at the same time.
7. Display options
If you want to know the display options for an open and active window on your Mac, just press “Command” and “J” at the same time.
8. Minimize window
To minimize a window on your Mac, you just need to press the “Command” and “M” keys at the same time while in the window you want to minimize.
9. Open a new window
To open a new Finder window on the Mac, you can use this simple shortcut: press “Command” and “N” at the same time.
10. Open program or item
After selecting a program or file on your Mac, you can open it by pressing the “Command” and “O” keys at the same time.
11. Cut an item
To cut an item, text or file from a place simply use the “Command” and “X” shortcut while the item in question is selected.
This will remove the item from where it is and copy it to the clipboard. To paste it somewhere else, just follow our next tip.
12. Paste an item
To paste an item you’ve copied or trimmed, you just need to use the “Command” and “V” shortcut in the place you want to paste the file.
13. Undo an action
If you want to undo an action or command you just performed, you can press the “Command” and “Z” keys at the same time.
This way, if you are writing something, this action will undo the last words, for example.
14. Redo an action
If you want to redo an undone action, it is also very simple and similar to the previous shortcut. This time, you need to press the “Command”, “Shift” and “Z” keys at the same time.
15. Print
To make it easier for you to print your documents, you can use a very simple shortcut. Just press the “Command” and “P” keys at the same time while in the file you want to print.
16. Save
To save your progress while editing a file, for example, you can simply press the “Command” and “S” keys at the same time.
17. Terminate an app
If you are using an application on your Mac and want to quit it quickly, simply press the “Command” and “Q” keys while in the program.
18. Force a Foreclosure
If the program is not terminating normally, you can try to force it to close with the “Command”, “Option” and “Esc” shortcuts. We recommend that you only do this if you are really having a problem with the app.
19. Quick View
When you press the space key on your keyboard, you can use the quick preview feature to preview a selected item.
20. Change Window
If you are doing multiple tasks at the same time in different windows, you can switch between them easily with a shortcut.
Just press the “Shift”, “Command” and “~” keys at the same time. You can do this constantly to switch to any window, which makes things much faster.
21. Switch app
If you are working on more than one app simultaneously on your Mac, you can also switch between them easily.
Press the “Command” and “Tab” keys at the same time to toggle between the programs that are open.
22. Screenshot
There are a few different ways to take a screenshot of your Mac, but the simpler requires a simple shortcut.
Press the “Shift”, “Command” and “3” keys at the same time to take a print out of the entire screen you are currently in.
23. Preferences
While using an app, you can press the “Command” and “,” keys at the same time to open the screen of your application preferences in question.
24. Spotlight
By pressing the “Command” and the space bar at the same time, you will automatically open the Spotlight search field.
If you perform this shortcut again while Spotlight is already open, it will hide it.
25. Close a window
To close the window you are currently using, you can simply press the “Command” and “W” keys at the same time.
26. Delete item
To delete an item that is selected, you can use the “Command” and “Del” shortcuts. This will make the item go straight to the bin.
27. Mac OS Help
If you have any questions about the operation of your Mac, you can press the “Command” and “?” Keys at the same time to open the system help center.
28. Open folder
If you want to open a folder on your Mac, you just need to use the “Command” shortcut and the directional pad up at the same time.
29. Open apps folder
All ready to open the applications folder on Mac, you only need to press the “Command”, “Shift” and “A” keys at the same time.
30. Opens a specific folder
If you prefer, you can even use the “Command”, “Shift” and G “shortcut keys at the same time to open a specific folder. After that, just specify the folder you want to open.
31. Create a New Folder
To create a new folder, you just have to press the “Command”, “Shift” and “N” keys while in the location where you want to create it.
32. Log out
If you want to log out of your user account on Mac quickly, simply press the “Command”, “Shift” and “Q” keys at the same time.
33. Empty the trash
If you want to delete all the content in your Mac’s recycle bin quickly and easily, press the “Command”, “Shift” and “Del” keys.
34. Hide windows
If you want to hide multiple open windows at the same time, use the following shortcut: “Command”, “Option” and “H”. In this case, only the Finder window will be open if you are using it.
35. Force reset
If you need to force restart your Mac, just use the “Control”, “Command” and “Power” button shortcuts on your computer. We recommend that you only use this shortcut if you are really having trouble restarting your Mac in the normal way.
36. Putting the screen to sleep
To bring your Mac screen to sleep, you can press the “Control”, “Shift” keys and the “Power” button at the same time.
37. Quit apps and reboot
If the Mac is crashing and with many apps open, you can try the following shortcut: press “Control”, “Command” and “Media Eject” at the same time.
This forced the shutdown of open apps and then rebooted the computer. Just do it when necessary so you do not end up having more problems.
38. Open the computer window
To open the computer’s root window with a simple shortcut, you can press the “Shift”, “Command” and “C” keys at the same time.
39. Open iCloud Drive
You can also open iCloud Drive with a shortcut if you want. To do this, press the “Shift”, “Command” and “I” keys at the same time.
40. Open the AirDrop window
AirDrop also only needs a shortcut to be opened faster. Press the “Shift”, “Command” and “R” keys to do this.
41. Show / Hide the Dock
If you want to show or hide the Application Dock quickly, press the “Option”, “Command” and “T” keys at the same time.
42. Show / Hide Finder Bar
You can do the same thing with the sidebar in the Finder windows. In this case, the shortcut uses the “Option”, “Command” and “S” keys.
If you need help, have doubts or concerns, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the comment box below and we will try to help you as soon as possible!