35 Mac Shortcuts That Will Make Your Life Easier

Knowing keyboard shortcuts is essential to using 100% of your computer, and for Mac owners would be no different. For first-time users coming from another operating system, such as Windows, it can be especially difficult to get used to. But don't worry, this list gives you commands similar to other systems and still learns some unique ones that only exist on Mac.

Command - M

This combination causes the active application to be minimized. You can also press Command + Option + M to minimize all open windows.

Command - Option

Makes your desktop cleaner and prioritizes just what you want. Just hold Command + Option and click anywhere on your desktop to make it free. This command also works for other windows, just click on the program you want to make it stand out.

Command - Space

This command opens Spotlight, the search field that finds anything on your computer. A basic command for every Mac user.

Command - L

Use this command in Safari while browsing the internet to quickly select the search bar and addresses.

Command - Option - Esc

If any application stops responding, you can force it to close using Command-Option-Esc. This command will bring up a menu in which you can force close. In addition it is also possible to directly close the active window with the Command + Shift + Option + Esc combination .

Command - E

Ejects the selected disk or USB. More practical than right-clicking and ejecting.

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Command - Left Arrow / Left Arrow

Press Command + Left Arrow while surfing the web (no matter what browser) to return to the previous page. Press Command + Right Arrow to advance one page, if available.

Command - Q

If you know Windows, you may already know Control + F4, which causes an application to close. On Mac this command is Command + Q. If your program is locked and doesn't close with this command, try Command-Option-Esc.

Command - Shift - 3 or Command - Shift - 4

This is one of the most important shortcuts on Mac: printscreen. With two different combinations you can make prints of the most varied quickly and easily.

With Command + Shift + 3 you prinstcreen your entire screen.

Command + Shift + 4 allows you to “shoot” any piece of your screen. Pressing this command will turn your cursor into a crosshair. Then just click and drag the area to capture whatever you want. The image will be on your desktop in PNG.

Command-H or Command-Option-H

Any nosy guys coming to look at your computer screen? Just press Command + H to hide your active window. If you want to hide everything just press Command - Option - H.

Command-V

If you copied something with the mouse or Command C or Command X, this combination will paste the content where you want it. Its Windows equivalent is Control V.

Command - X

The classic Control X from the Mac. It cuts the selected content and sends it to memory. Paste later with Command - V.

Command - C

The classic Control C already known to Windows users. Copy the selected content. Paste what you have copied wherever you want with Command - V.

Command - Z

If you deleted something or did something unintentionally, Command - Z will recover what was lost.

Command + Shift + Eject

It puts your computer into sleep mode and is easily activated by pressing any key.

Command - D

While in Finder, duplicates the selected files. This is equivalent to pressing Command - C and Command - V right after.

Space over a file

Opens the preview without necessarily opening a program to view the file. In a photo or PDF file, for example, squeezing space shows a basic preview of all content.

Option + Command + L

While in Finder, opens the Downloads folder, the default Mac Downloads folder.

Shift + Command + U

While in finder, this command will open the Utilities folder.

Shift + Command + O

Opens Mac Finder, which lets you browse your computer files.

Shift + Command + H

While in Finder, opens your Mac's Personal folder automatically.

Command - P

The shortcut prints the current document, automatically opening the print window.

Control + Option + Command + (Power Button or Eject)

Quits all applications and shuts down the computer.

Command + Tab

Switches to recently used applications. Equivalent to Control + Tab in Windows.

Command + Comma (, )

This shortcut opens the active program's preferences and settings, whatever you are using at the time of the command.

Control + Command + Power Button

Forces a reboot of your Mac. Use this command when you want to restart your machine without clicking anything.

Shift + Command + Q

Logs out of your Mac by opening the default user selection window. Before that the system will confirm if you really want to exit.

Option + Shift + Command + Q

Log out of your Mac immediately, without asking if you really want to log out.

Command - F

Opens a search window, allowing you to enter a keyword or phrase for the system to search for the active page.

Command - G

Opens the search window with the last text typed in the Command - F command automatically.

When editing a document, use the shortcuts:

Command - I

Select the text and make this command italicize. Re-enter the command to remove the formatting.

Command - B

Select the text and do this command to make it bold. Run the command again to remove formatting.

Command - U

Select the text and make this command to underline it. Run the command again to remove formatting.

Command - T

Show or hide the Fonts window to select font, font size, color, etc.

Command - A

Selects all the text and content of the page in question.

Did you like these Mac shortcuts?

Using shortcuts on your Mac can be a real hand on the wheel that will save you time in your everyday life. And you, what shortcuts do you have a habit of using? Share it with me in the comments!

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