Windows to Mac "Switching" Survival Guide

Introduction

I've summarized the initial confusing points developers encounter when migrating from Windows to MacBook in a simple way.

This is a quick reference table + introduction to useful tools to solve "how do I use that shortcut on Mac?"

1. Keyboard "Translation"

When replacing familiar Windows operations with Mac equivalents, they become as follows:

On Mac, many shortcuts use the Cmd key instead of Ctrl. Getting used to this feeling is the first hurdle.

2. Browser & Development Tools

Shortcuts that web developers use daily.

Also, Spotlight search (Cmd + Space) allows you to instantly launch apps by simply typing "Terminal" or "VS Code". It feels similar to Windows start menu search.

3. Screenshots (PrintScreen key alternative)

Mac's screenshot functionality is very powerful by default. You can select regions or specify windows without third-party tools.

By default, screenshots are saved to the desktop.

Press Cmd + Shift + 5 to change options such as save location or timer.

Taking screenshots that are "saved" and "copied to clipboard" simultaneously

In macOS, screenshot "save to disk" and "copy to clipboard" are by default one or the other. Cmd + Shift + 4 for file saving, add Ctrl for clipboard only. If you want both simultaneously, here are methods:

Method 1: Use thumbnail preview (no setup required)

1. Take a screenshot as usual with Cmd + Shift + 4 (or 3 / 5)
2. Click the thumbnail preview that appears in the bottom right
3. Press Cmd + C in markup view to copy to clipboard
4. Click Done

This saves it as a file and copies it to clipboard at the same time.

Method 2: Automate with Shottr (recommended)

For seriously streamlining screenshot work, Shottr is optimal. It's free, lightweight, and works faster than native macOS tools.

Shottr features:

• Simultaneous save + copy: Press one key to complete file saving and clipboard copying at once
• Custom filenames: Set filename templates to maintain the same naming convention as macOS standard
• Fast operation: As a compiled native app, it responds faster than Shortcut App or standard system tools

Setup procedure:

1. Download and install from Shottr official site
2. Open Shottr settings

4. Go to the Hotkeys tab and press the "Open System Settings" button

6. Uncheck all boxes since we'll be overriding existing behavior

8. Return to settings and set hotkeys to Cmd + Shift + 3 and Cmd + Shift + 4

10. Go to the Hotkeys tab, check both Copy and Save under After Screenshot

4. Enhancing clipboard history with Raycast

If you're used to Windows' Win + V (clipboard history), Mac's "only saves one item" specification can be frustrating. To solve this, many engineers use external tools.

My personal recommendation is Raycast.

• What can it do?: Not just clipboard history, but speeds up all operations including app launching, calculations, window resizing, etc.
• Shortcut example: Cmd + Space (launch Raycast) → Search for "clipboard History", right-click and select Configure Command

Author's setting example:
I assign clipboard history to Cmd + Option + V. This lets me access past copy content with the same feeling as Windows' Win + V.

Also, pasting from Raycast's clipboard history defaults to plain text format. This is very convenient since there are many situations where you want to paste text copied from webpages or documents without extra fonts, colors, or sizes. Standard macOS Cmd + V pastes with formatting, requiring Cmd + Option + Shift + V for plain text, but with Raycast you don't need to worry about it.

5. Managing multiple monitors with Raycast

Setup is simple - just enable the Window Management extension (pre-installed as a core extension).

Assigning a shortcut to "Next Display"

Use the "Next Display" command to move windows to adjacent displays. Here's how to set up the shortcut:

1. Launch Raycast (default is Option + Space)
2. Type "Extensions" and press Enter

4. Search for Next Display

6. Click the Hotkey field to register a shortcut

Recommendation: Set it to Cmd + → for a similar feel to Windows operations.

Creating Window Layouts

If you use the same window arrangement daily (e.g., Slack on left screen, browser on right), Raycast's "Create Window Layout" command is useful.

• Position all windows in desired locations/sizes
• Save as a layout
• From then on, one Raycast command will automatically position all apps in specified screens/sizes

6. Useful Tips to Know

The Enter key trap

Selecting a file in Finder and pressing Enter renames the file instead of opening it. To open files, use Cmd + O. This is a common pitfall for Windows users.

Switching windows

• App-level switching: Cmd + Tab (similar to Windows' Alt + Tab, but app-based)
• Switching between windows of the same app: Cmd + ~ (backtick)

Windows' Alt + Tab switches between windows, but Mac's Cmd + Tab switches between apps. To switch between multiple windows of the same app, use Cmd + ~.

Copying folder paths from Finder

Press Cmd + Option + C in Finder to copy the folder path.

Hidden files (dot files) are not visible

In macOS, files or folders that begin with a dot (.) (known as "dot files") are hidden by default. This prevents accidental deletion/moving of configuration files like .env or .git.

There are two methods to display them.

Keyboard shortcut (fastest)

Just press this shortcut in a Finder window:

• Cmd + Shift + . (period)

Press once to show hidden files semi-transparently, press again to hide them.

Permanently set via Terminal

If the shortcut doesn't work or you prefer command line configuration, run:

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
killall Finder

To revert: Change true to false in the same command.

Accessing the "Library" folder

The ~/Library folder is also hidden by default, but it's not a dot file. In Finder's menu bar, click Go and hold down the Option key to see "Library" in the options.

Showing hidden files in file selection dialogs

Even if you've set Finder to display hidden files, they might not appear in upload dialogs in browsers, etc.

Solution: Use shortcuts in dialogs

With the file selection window active, press Cmd + Shift + . again. macOS remembers this setting for each dialog, so they'll remain visible next time.

Summary

While migrating from Windows to Mac can be confusing at first, mastering basic shortcut "translations" makes it surprisingly smooth. Focus on these points to make it easier:

1. Train yourself to replace Ctrl with Cmd
2. Speed up app launching with Spotlight (or Raycast)
3. Adopt a clipboard history tool early
4. Remember Cmd + Shift + . to display hidden files
5. Use tools like Shottr if you need screenshot save + copy functionality

I hope this article helps ease the "I don't understand anything" state on your first day of Mac migration.