Right-click
Click the right corner of your Apple mouse or click with two fingers on your Apple trackpad. You can change this in Mouse preferences and Trackpad preferences.
Scroll, swipe, click
Settings for scroll direction, swipe gestures and button assignments are also in Mouse and Trackpad preferences.
Close and resize windows
Buttons for closing, minimising and maximising a window are in the upper-left corner of the window.
Change volume
Use the volume control in the menu bar or use the volume keys on your Apple keyboard.
Change Mac settings
Looking for the Control Panel? Use System Preferences instead.
Find files
Use Spotlight to quickly find and open apps, documents and other files.
Browse for files
Looking for Windows File Explorer? Learn about the Finder.
Throw files away
Looking for the Recycle Bin? Use the Bin, which is in the Dock.
Rename files
Click the file once to select it, then press the Return key and type a new name. Press Return when you've finished.
Preview files
Preview most files on your Mac using Quick Look. Click the file once to select it, then press Space bar.
Back up files
Time Machine keeps a copy of all your files and it remembers how your system looked on any given day.
Keyboard shortcuts
Many Mac keyboard combinations use the Command (⌘) key. Learn more keys and keyboard shortcuts
Cut
Command-X
Copy
Command-C
Paste
Command-V
Undo
Command-Z
Command-P
Close window
Command-W
Switch apps
Command-Tab
Quit app
Command-Q
Forward delete
Fn-Delete or
Find files
Command-Space bar
Force quit app
Option-Command-Esc
Take screenshot
Learn more
- For more information to help you get to know your Mac, use the Help menu in the Finder menu bar.
- What’s it called on my Mac? includes additional Windows and Mac terms.