Quick Links
If you switch from Mac to Windows, you’ll miss a few nifty features like Spotlight, Preview, and AirDrop. Fortunately, you’re able to use these apps to bring popular macOS features to your Windows PC.
1Search Like Spotlight Using PowerToys Run
Spotlight in macOS can help you find files, open settings, and even make quick calculations. Windows search falls short of doing some of this by default. However, you’re able to search with similar functionality using PowerToys Run in Windows.
To set it up, download andinstall Microsoft PowerToysfrom the Microsoft Store. Next, launch the app and open theDashboardtab. Here, locate and toggle thePowerToys Runoption to turn it on.
ClickPowerToys Runto view additional settings that allow you to activate the shortcut and toggle additional capabilities, such as the ability to perform calculations, navigate the folders, open a Windows terminal, etc.
PressAlt + Spacebarto launchRun. Now you can search for apps, folders, and files. You’ll also get additional options to launch apps as an administrator, a different user, or to open the file location.
Like Spotlight, you can use Run to perform a quick calculation, execute a system command, or search for system settings.
you may further refine your searches with identifiers or keywords. For example, if you type$audioit will only show audio settings. If you type the<symbol, you can cycle through open app windows directly from the search bar.
Download:PowerToys(Free)
2Quickly Preview File Content With PowerToys Peek
MacOS has a great quick-look feature that allows users to preview file content—such as PDFs, images, audio, or video files—without opening them first in an associated program. Windows Explorer also has a preview pane, but it has limited format support.
While you can turn to a popular third-party app likeQuick Lookfor Windows, a better alternative is PowerToys’ Peek. It allows you toquickly preview files in File Explorerand supports most file formats, including images, videos, and text documents. You can even copy text from the documents directly from the preview window.
To use Peek, launch PowerToys, open thePeektab in the left pane, then toggle theEnable Peekswitch to turn it on.
Now you can select any item in File Explorer and pressCtrl + Spacebarto open a quick preview. You can also use therightorleft arrow keysto browse through other files in the same folder.
3Share Files Instantly Like AirDrop With Snapdrop
Airdrop lets you transfer files between Apple devices instantly. While Windows, with its Phone Link app, supports instant file sharing, you need to set up each device before you may start sharing.
Snapdrop simplifies this process. It’s a web app that allows you to share files between devices on the same network. What’s more, you can even send quick text messages to the devices connected to the local network.
To share a file from your computer to another device, verify both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network. Then, go toSnapdrop.neton your PC and also on your tablet or smartphone to ensure both are discoverable.
Next, click on your second device’s name, choose the files that you want to send, and clickOpen. On your second device, tapSaveto download the file.
You can install Snapdrop as a web app and pin it to the taskbar for easier access. To do this, click theInstall Snapdrop(mobile icon) in the top-left corner, chooseInstall,and wait for the installation to complete. Now you can open Snapdrop from Windows search as a standalone app.
While Snapdrop works well for cross-device file sharing,it requires an internet connection to work. Those who prefer a native app can use LocalSend tosend files between devices without an internet connection.
4Send Messages and Make Calls From a PC Using Phone Link
You cantext and call from your Mac with ease. Windows offers similar functionalities with its Phone Link app, allowing you to manage notifications, send and receive text messages with AI-suggested replies, and even make calls.
To get started, you need toset up Phone Link on your Windows computerand smartphone first. It’s a quick process, so simply follow the linked guide to complete the setup.
Phone Link comes pre-installed on your Windows computer, but you’ll need to download it from the Play Store on Android and the App Store on iOS.
Once the setup is complete, launch Phone Link, and open theCallstab. Then clickGet Started. A pop-up should appear on your smartphone. SelectAllowto enable calling permissions.
That’s it! Now you’re able to make calls and reply to text messages seamlessly from your Windows PC.
Download: Link to WindowsAndroid|iOS
5Get macOS Screenshot Shortcuts With ShareX
You canuse the Snipping tool in Windows to screen recordand capture screenshots. However, it lacks the additional keyboard shortcuts offered by macOS for its screen capture tool.
For instance, on Mac, you’re able to useShift + Command + 3to capture the full screen,Shift + Command + 4to capture a portion of the screen, orShift + Command + 4 + Spacebarto capture a specific window or menu.
ShareX is an open-source, feature-rich screenshot tool that allows you to get Mac-like screenshot functionality on Windows. I love that ShareX lets you assign custom shortcuts to capture regions, entire screens, active windows, and more.
To create a custom shortcut, launchShareXand clickHotkeysettingsin the left pane. SelectAddand choose the function you want to assign (such as capturing a region, full screen, or active window). Set a keyboard shortcut by pressing the keys you want to use.
you may also edit, remove, or duplicate existing shortcuts to customize your workflow for different apps.
Download:ShareX(Free)
6WinDynamicDesktop Gives You Mac Dynamic Wallpapers
macOS has some cool wallpapers that change depending on the time of the day. While Windows Spotlight can automatically change the background image and lock screen every day, it lacks the seamless transition throughout the day that Mac offers.
WinDynamicWallappers is a third-party app that brings the Dynamic Desktop feature to Windows. It uses your location to determine the time and changes your desktop wallpaper accordingly.
You can set a theme from an existing collection of dynamic wallpapers imported from various macOS editions, including Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma.
After choosing a theme, clickDownloadto save the files to your local drive. Then clickApplyto set it as your desktop background. Additionally, you’re able to get more themes online or import a custom theme from a file.
Download:WinDynamicDesktop
macOS has some handy features that make the computing experience better. While we hope for more quality-of-life features from macOS to get official Windows OS integration, third-party apps and Microsoft’s PowerToys can help bring some of these features to your Windows machine right now.
