Not everyone is divided into Windows or macOS fields; for some people, using these two operating systems is part of their computer experience. If you are a long-term user of one of these platforms and are about to become familiar with the other one as well, you may need some help along the way, and this is where this guide for using both Windows as macOS enters.
Neither Windows nor macOS are so different from each other that novices will be completely lost, but at the same time, some support will probably be welcome … and even if you’ve been using both operating systems in tandem for a while moment, maybe we’ll review some tricks and features you don’t know yet.
1) Choose a file synchronization service
Keeping your files in sync across multiple platforms will make your life a lot easier, so choose the service you like best. While OneDrive has a Mac client and iCloud has a Windows client, we recommend that you opt for a third-party option that doesn’t support Windows or macOS: In our experience, two of the best options here are Google Drive or Dropbox.
2) Share files over a network
You can easily share files between Windows and macOS over a local network. From Windows, right-click any folder or file in File Explorer, and then choose Show More Options, Give Access to Specific People to get started; from macOS, open the System Preferences panel and click the Share icon to enable File Sharing.
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3) Sync the clipboard to Windows and macOS
Having the same clipboard and clipboard history available on both Windows and macOS can be very useful when switching between operating systems. As expected, the functionality isn’t available as a native feature, but you can get it with the great 1Clipboard app – use Google Drive to sync your clipboard across multiple devices.
Clipboard works on multiple platforms Screenshot: Clipboard
4) Make use of virtual desktops
Another feature available on both platforms but implemented in slightly different ways is virtual desktops, which give you more space for your open programs and windows. Win + Tab will take you to the correct interface on Windows, and Ctrl + Up will do the same on macOS: On the following screens, you can add, delete, and switch to multiple desktops.
5) Know your Mac and Windows keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are powerful productivity aids, but it can be difficult for your fingers to remember which operating system they are currently using. For many common shortcuts, including cut, copy, and paste shortcuts, you can replace the Ctrl key in Windows with the Cmd key in macOS, and vice versa, so Ctrl + C becomes Cmd + C, Ctrl + V becomes Cmd + C Cmd + V, and so on.
6) Know the mouse gestures
Another related area: mouse gestures. Right-clicking is essential in Windows, but harder to manifest in macOS, for example. You can make the two operating systems work in a reasonably similar way by going to Bluetooth and devices, and then Mouse and Touchpad from Windows settings, as well as Mouse and Trackpad from macOS System Preferences.
Adapting trackpad settings to macOSScreenshot: macOS
7) Use the same keyboard and mouse
Speaking of shortcuts and gestures, you can use the same keyboard and mouse (or trackpad) to simplify the switch between Windows and macOS. This can be done without adding any additional hardware – a program like Synergy will take care of everything for you and works with up to 15 different devices, as if they were all physically connected.
8) Be consistent with your programs
Your Windows and macOS life will be much easier if you use the same programs on each platform, especially when it comes to web browsers, if you want to be able to sync all your passwords and browsing history, and so on. between multiple devices, then you really need to choose a browser that works well with these two operating systems. Chrome is an easy choice, but here are some other options.
9) Choose the appropriate external disk format
If you are accessing files from the same external drive from both Windows and macOS, you want to make sure that you can see the file system of both operating systems, which may not be the case if you only accept the default drive. format. For compatibility between Windows and macOS, exFAT is the file format you should choose.
macOS can read NTFS formatted drives, but cannot write to them Screenshot: macOS
10) Add an additional window to macOS
Windows is great when it comes to docking your open programs to certain parts of the screen – one browser tab docked on the left and one on the right, for example. While macOS is catching up with this feature, it’s not up to date yet – the great Rectangle add-on is an option for more control of your Mac window.
11) Add a quick view mode to Windows
Windows also lacks some of the features that macOS has, such as the ability to instantly preview files with Quick Look, activated in Finder on Mac with a touch of space. The good news is that there is a utility to fill the void, called, with enough imagination, QuickLook. Once installed, as in macOS, you can only press Space to open and close the file preview.
12) Master multitasking
Moving between open applications at high speed is essential to getting things done efficiently, and the keyboard shortcut for this is quite similar on both operating systems: Alt + Tab for Windows and Cmd + Tab for macOS. To search for applications, and in fact anything else, press Win + S on Windows or Cmd + Space on macOS, and then start typing anything you’re looking for.
Chrome Remote Desktop will allow you to access Windows from macOS (and vice versa) Screenshot: Chrome Remote Desktop
13) Access desktops remotely
Accessing your macOS desktop from Windows or your Windows desktop from macOS is not at all difficult and can prevent you from having to switch between keyboards and screens. There are many tools that will take care of this, but perhaps the simplest and most appropriate is Chrome Remote Desktop – just follow the instructions to set it up.
14) Choose the right web applications
You may be surprised how many apps can run directly from the web instead of a desktop app (from Spotify to Slack and TweetDeck), and if you switch from one operating system to another on a regular basis, it makes sense to follow -lo. online versions of these programs to minimize the risk of any compatibility or synchronization errors.
15) Manage your notifications
Something you want to avoid when working on multiple computers is duplicate notifications, adding even more distraction to your day. You can manage system notifications settings and notifications from Windows settings, and from notifications and focus and then notifications in the System Preferences dialog box on macOS.