Mac keyboard shortcuts for Windows users
Short answer: in most shortcuts, Command (⌘) takes the place of Ctrl: Command-C, Command-V, Command-Z, Command-S. The differences worth learning are Command-Q to quit an app, Command-Tab to switch apps, Command-Shift-4 for a screenshot, Command-Delete to move a file to the Bin, and Command-Space to search.
The key names
| Windows | Mac |
|---|---|
| Ctrl | Command ⌘ (for most shortcuts) |
| Alt | Option ⌥ |
| Windows key | Command ⌘ or Control ⌃, depending on the shortcut |
| Backspace | Delete |
| Delete | Fn-Delete |
| Enter | Return |
On a Windows keyboard plugged into a Mac, the Windows key acts as Command and Alt as Option. You can swap them in System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Modifier Keys.
Everyday editing
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Copy, cut, paste | Ctrl-C, X, V | Command-C, X, V |
| Paste without formatting | Ctrl-Shift-V | Command-Option-Shift-V |
| Undo / redo | Ctrl-Z / Ctrl-Y | Command-Z / Command-Shift-Z |
| Select all | Ctrl-A | Command-A |
| Find | Ctrl-F | Command-F |
| Save / print | Ctrl-S / Ctrl-P | Command-S / Command-P |
Apps and windows
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Switch apps | Alt-Tab | Command-Tab |
| Switch windows of the same app | — | Command-` (the key above Tab) |
| Close window | Ctrl-W | Command-W |
| Quit app | Alt-F4 | Command-Q |
| Minimise | Win-Down | Command-M |
| Hide app | — | Command-H |
| Search / start menu | Win | Command-Space |
| Task Manager | Ctrl-Shift-Esc | Command-Option-Esc (Force Quit) |
| Lock screen | Win-L | Control-Command-Q |
Closing the last window on a Mac usually leaves the app running — that is why Command-Q exists. To switch between individual windows the way Alt-Tab does, see Alt-Tab for Mac.
Files in Finder
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Rename | F2 | Return |
| Open | Enter | Command-O or Command-Down Arrow |
| Delete | Delete | Command-Delete |
| Cut and paste (move) | Ctrl-X, Ctrl-V | Command-C, then Command-Option-V |
| Go up a folder | Alt-Up | Command-Up Arrow |
| Preview a file | — | Space (Quick Look) |
| Show hidden files | — | Command-Shift-. |
Screenshots
| Action | Mac |
|---|---|
| Whole screen | Command-Shift-3 |
| Selected area | Command-Shift-4 |
| One window | Command-Shift-4, then Space, then click the window |
| Screenshot and recording options | Command-Shift-5 |
| Copy to clipboard instead of a file | Add Control to any of the above |
Text navigation
| Action | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Start / end of line | Home / End | Command-Left / Command-Right |
| Previous / next word | Ctrl-Left / Ctrl-Right | Option-Left / Option-Right |
| Top / bottom of document | Ctrl-Home / Ctrl-End | Command-Up / Command-Down |
| Delete previous word | Ctrl-Backspace | Option-Delete |
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Frequently asked questions
What is Ctrl on a Mac?
For most shortcuts, Command (⌘) does what Ctrl does on Windows. The Mac also has a Control key, used in fewer shortcuts.
What is Alt-F4 on a Mac?
Command-Q quits the app. Command-W closes only the window.
How do I cut and paste a file on a Mac?
Copy it with Command-C, then press Command-Option-V in the destination folder to move it.
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