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If you switched from a Windows laptop to a MacBook, you might notice that the keyboard and trackpad feel a bit off. But don’t worry because we’ll help you customize them to match the Windows setup you’re familiar with. Just change these settings in macOS.
1. Enable “Click in Bottom-Right Corner” for Secondary Click
One of the first things you may struggle with isright-clicking on a Mac. On Windows, you are used to clicking the bottom-right corner of the touchpad or tapping it with two fingers to bring up context menus and access more options. However, the same action on a Mac is called a Secondary Click, which you can trigger by holding theControlkey while clicking the trackpad with one finger.
Here’s how to enable the more familiar Windows right-click in macOS:
2. Change the Scroll Direction (Disable Natural Scrolling)
By default, Macs haveNatural scrollingenabled, meaning that you swipe up on the trackpad to move the content/page down and vice-versa—it’s like interacting with an iPhone’s touchscreen. While many users consider this more intuitive, it may be unfamiliar, as it works in the opposite direction on several Windows computers.
Here’s how to disableNatural scrollingon your Mac to switch to the more familiar Windows-style scrolling:
3. Enable Tap to Click
Another default Mac feature that might feel strange is the need to click down the trackpad with one finger to register a click. It may not feel intuitive, or you may prefer to tap the trackpad like you did on your Windows laptop. Your Mac’s trackpad can do that too—here’s how:
One of the defining features of MacBooks is their largetrackpad with support for various multi-touch gestures, allowing you to perform various actions with simple trackpad movements using two or more fingers. Thankfully, Windows and macOS have many of the same gestures, although they may be assigned to different actions by default.
Here are some useful trackpad gestures you can customize or enable on your Mac to improve your workflow:
Zoom In or Out
Similar to Windows, you may pinch in or stretch out with two fingers to zoom on your Mac. To enable this gesture, go toApple menu > System Settings > Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom, then toggle on theZoom in or outoption.
Show All Open Windows or Mission Control
This trackpad gesture allows you to quickly view all open windows and apps on your Mac. To enable this gesture, go toApple menu > System Settings > Trackpad. Select theMore Gesturestab, click theMission Controldropdown menu, and selectSwipe Up with Three Fingers.
Show the Desktop
While you can show the desktop on Windows by swiping down on the touchpad with three fingers, on macOS, you must spread your thumb and three fingers to reveal the desktop.
To enable this gesture, go toApple menu > System Settings > Trackpad. Select theMore Gesturestab and toggle onShow Desktop.
Switch Desktops or Swipe Between Full-Screen Apps
On Windows, you can switch between virtual desktops by swiping left or right with four fingers on the touchpad. You can replicate this gesture on your Mac by going toApple menu > System Settings > Trackpad.
Select theMore Gesturestab, click theSwipe between full-screen applicationsmenu, and selectSwipe Left or Right with Four Fingers.
5. Disable “Click Wallpaper to Reveal Desktop”
Clicking the desktop wallpaper on your Mac hides active windows and reveals the desktop. Although this can be handy for quickly accessing apps or files on your desktop, it might be annoying if you accidentally click on the wallpaper or unfamiliar if you are a Windows user.
Luckily, you can disable this feature by following these steps:
6. Remap the Modifier Keys
If you are used to Windows keyboards, you will quickly notice that some keys, especially modifier keys, are in different locations on a Mac keyboard and might not do exactly what you’re used to. Modifier keys likeControl,Option, andCommandplay a vital role in keyboard shortcuts, so it’s essential to map them to match how you expect them to work.
For instance, Windows PCs generally use the Control key for many shortcuts that are assigned to the Command key on MacBooks. Thankfully, macOS provides an easy way to remap modifier keys:
7. Customize System Keyboard Shortcuts
Your Mac has a set of default keyboard shortcuts for various actions that you can customize or disable, including screenshots, Mission Control, brightness, text shortcuts, and more. Although you may not always perfectly replicate Windows keyboard shortcuts, customizing them as close as possible can make the transition smoother.
Here’s how tocustomize keyboard shortcuts on a Mac:
8. Enable Keyboard Navigation
Although the Tab key on Windows has various functions depending on the program you’re using or where the cursor is, it’s generally used to move between elements on a page, such as buttons and form fields. you’re able to use this feature on your Mac, too.
Here’s how to enable keyboard navigation on a Mac:
It’s worth noting that theAlt + TabWindows feature works differently or is more limited on Macs. However, you can bring thispopular Windows feature to macOS by installing a third-party appcalledAltTab.
While you undoubtedly had several good reasons to switch from Windows to macOS, you were probably not prepared for the inconveniences that came with this change. If learning how to navigate your Mac or memorizing new keyboard shortcuts is causing a headache, these customizations will make your transition easier.
