15 Tips and Tricks for Working on Both Windows and macOS

Not everyone is split into either Windows or macOS camps — for some people , using both of these operating systems is part of their calculation experience . If you ’re a foresighted - terminus substance abuser of one of these platforms and about to bug out to get familiarise with the other one too , you might involve a short chip of help along the direction , and that ’s where this pathfinder to using both Windows and macOS comes in .

Neither Windows nor macOS are so decided from the other that newbies are go to be wholly lost , but at the same time , some assist is probably going to be welcome … and even if you ’ve been using both OSes in tandem for some prison term , we might go over a few trick and features that you ’re not already aware of .

1) Choose a file syncing service

Keeping your files synchronize across multiple platforms will make animation much well-heeled , so plunk the serve you like the most . WhileOneDrivehas a Mac node andiCloudhas a Windows client , we ’d urge going for a third - company option that does n’t favor Windows or macOS : In our experience , two of the best options here areGoogle DriveorDropbox .

you could share files easily between Windows and macOS across a local web . From Windows , decent - tap any brochure or file in File Explorer , then opt Show more alternative , Give access to , and Specific the great unwashed to get started;from macOS , open up the System Preferences pane and then tap the Sharing image to start the File Sharing option .

3) Sync your clipboard across Windows and macOS

experience the same clipboard and clipboard history usable on both Windows and macOS can be enormously utile as you jump between operating systems . As you might expect , the functionality is n’t available as a native feature , but you may get it via the excellent1Clipboardapp : It expend Google Drive to synchronise your clipboard between multiple devices .

4) Make use of virtual desktops

Another feature of speech available on both platforms but follow through in slightly different ways is virtual desktops , give way you more space for your overt programs and windows . Win+Tab will get you to the correct user interface on Windows , and Ctrl+Up will do the same on macOS : From the subsequent CRT screen , you may then add , remove and switch to multiple desktops .

5) Know your Mac and Windows keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are powerful acquired immune deficiency syndrome to productiveness , but it can be difficult for your finger to call up which OS they ’re currently using . For a lot of coarse shortcut , including the cut , copy and glue ones , you may put back the Ctrl key onWindowswith the Cmd Florida key onmacOSand frailty versa — so Ctrl+C becomes Cmd+C , Ctrl+V becomes Cmd+V , and so on .

6) Know your mouse gestures

Another related area : mouse gestures . The right - click is essential in Windows but more difficult to manifest on macOS , for good example . you could get both OSes working in a reasonably similar way of life by endure to Bluetooth & devices and then Mouse and Touchpad from Windows options , as well as Mouse and Trackpad from macOS System Preferences .

7) Use the same keyboard and mouse

talk of cutoff and gestures , you could use the same keyboard and mouse ( or trackpad ) to simplify switching between Windows and macOS . This can be done without the addition of any extra hardware too — a programme likeSynergywill palm everything for you , and it works with up to 15 different machine , as if they were all physically connected .

8) Stay consistent with your programs

Your Windows and macOS life will be a mountain easy if you apply the same programs on each political program , particularly when it comes to entanglement web browser — if you want to be capable to sync all your password and your browse chronicle and so on between multiple equipment , then you really need to nibble a web browser that works well across both of these operating arrangement . Chrome ’s an easy selection , but here ’s a fewother options .

9) Choose the right external drive format

If you ’re accessing single file from the same external drive from both Windows and macOS , you want to verify that you ’re able-bodied to see the file system from both operating systems — which may not be the case if you just accept the nonpayment parkway format . For compatibility across Windows and macOS , exFAT is the single file format you should choose .

10) Add extra window snapping to macOS

Windows is very near when it comes to getting your undetermined programs docked to certain part of the silver screen — one web browser app tab docked to the left and another dock to the right wing , for object lesson . While macOS is enchant up on this functionality , it ’s not quite up to f number yet : the excellentRectangleadd - on is one option for getting more Mac windowpane snapping command .

11) Add a quick look mode to Windows

Windows is missing some features macOS has as well , like the power to instantly preview file with Quick Look , activated in Finder on Macs with a water tap on Space . The good news show is there ’s a utility to plug the interruption , called — imaginatively enough — QuickLook . Once it ’s installed , as on macOS you may just press Space to open up and shut the file preview .

12) Master multitasking

Moving between open apps at speed is all-important for sustain material done efficiently , and the keyboard shortcut for this is actually quite similar on both OSes : Alt+Tab for Windows and Cmd+Tab for macOS . To look for apps and indeed anything else , public press Win+S on Windows or Cmd+Space on macOS , then start type out whatever it is that you ’re looking for .

13) Access desktops remotely

Getting at your macOS desktop from Windows or your Windows background from macOS is n’t unmanageable at all , and can save you from having to switch between keyboard and silver screen . There are numerous tools that will take care of this for you , but perhaps the simplest and most suitable isChrome Remote Desktop : Just take after the instruction to get it set up .

14) Choose the right web apps

You might be surprised at just how many apps can run decently from the web rather than through a background lotion — fromSpotifytoSlacktoTweetDeck — and if you ’re jumping between operating system of rules on a regular basis , then it take a shit sense to stand by to the on-line versions of these programme to minimize the danger of any compatibility or synchronise erroneousness .

15) Manage your notifications

Something you want to avoid when ferment on multiple computers is matching notifications , adding even more misdirection to your day . you’re able to cope notification scope through System and Notifications from Windows preferences , and from Notifications & Focus then Notifications in the System Preferences dialogue on macOS .

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