A Switcher’s Guide to Windows and Mac Differences and Equivalents

So, you’ve switched to Mac. Welcome! If you still feel like you’re stumbling around in the dark, hopefully the following article will turn a few lights on. Or maybe you’re thinking about switching but still a little worried about how compatible you will be with Mac OS X. Again, this article should hold your hand as you cross over.

Although switching to Mac from Windows is a relatively simple process, you still need to re-educate yourself a little on the Mac’s way of doing things and its terminology. Learn the local lingo, you might say. Just like if you’re a foreigner in a country, it is important to learn a few of the basic cultural and language differences. For example, if you’re in the U.S., you might get away with giving your girlfriend a pat on the fanny when out in public; however, try that in Australia and you’ll probably find yourself crumpled on the ground, clutching your groin, speaking (moaning actually) in a high-pitched voice and wondering if you’ll still be able to father children.

Recently, having undertaken study where the computers are all Macs, I’ve encountered many students with no Mac experience and who have struggled at times with the differences. It’s been interesting listening to how they express their frustration at not knowing how to do the simplest little things on the Mac—and what they’ve said hasn’t been flattering to the Mac.

So for them, and every other switcher, this article provides a list of the equivalent terminology, way of doing things on a Mac, and applications to use. It is by no means complete or comprehensive. It also assumes Windows up to XP, as at the moment, that is the version the majority of switchers would be familiar with. By tabling it in a comparative list, it should be easier for you to relate the relevant methods between systems.

Modifier key definitions
On a standard QWERTY keyboard with a U.S. layout, the modifier keys on a Mac are:
- The Command key is the one at either end of the spacebar. In shorthand form, the Command key is represented by the symbol ⌘. It is often also called the Apple key as it also has the Apple logo on it.
- The Option key is the next key out from the Command key. The Option key is represented by the ⌥ symbol.
- The Control key is the third key out from the spacebar and is represented by the ⌃ symbol.

On other keyboard layouts and laptop keyboards, these keys will be laid out differently.

This list shows the equivalent methods of doing things on Mac and Windows. Where more than one way is listed, it is separated by a semi-colon and on a new line. Not all methods are shown, only those where the method differs. For instance, just like Windows, you can close a window via the File menu, or copy, cut, and paste via the Edit menu.

The following list of applications is merely based on commonly used ones and is no recommendation for those listed, nor against any not mentioned. Those that usually come pre-installed on new Macs are indicated by being underlined.

Obviously this article is just scratching the surface, so if you’d like to add any other differences and their equivalents, let us know, because we will keep updating this list so it can always be a useful and current resource for switchers.