Windows vs Mac Keyboard Shortcuts — Side-by-Side Equivalents
Every Windows shortcut next to its Mac equivalent, with the Ctrl-to-⌘ key mapping for people switching.
Windows vs Mac keyboard shortcuts — freetoolsforweb.com
Last verified: against Windows 11, version 26H2 and macOS 27 Golden Gate. 396 shortcuts.
Windows to Mac: the key mapping
Swap these and most Windows shortcuts work on a Mac. With a Windows keyboard on a Mac, Alt acts as Option and the Windows key as Command.
| Windows | Mac | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Command | Most app shortcuts: copy, paste, save, find, new tab |
| Alt | Option | Alternate characters and variants; Alt+Tab is Cmd+Tab |
| Windows key | Command plus Space bar | Search: Win+S becomes Spotlight |
| Alt plus Tab | Command plus Tab | Switch apps |
| Alt plus F4 | Command plus Q | Quit (Cmd+W closes only the window) |
| Control plus Shift plus Escape | Option plus Command plus Escape | Force quit a frozen app |
| Windows key plus L | Control plus Command plus Q | Lock the screen |
| Windows key plus Shift plus S | Shift plus Command plus 4 | Screenshot of an area |
| Control plus Left arrow | Option plus Left arrow | Jump a word |
| Home | Command plus Left arrow | Start of the line |
| Backspace | Delete | Delete before the cursor |
| Delete | Fn or Globe plus Delete | Delete after the cursor |
| Enter | Return | Confirm; in the Finder, Return renames |
Showing all 396 shortcuts in 11 categories
Essentials: clipboard, undo, save and find#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy the selection | Control plus Cor Control plus Insert | Command plus C | |
| Cut the selection | Control plus X | Command plus X | |
| Paste | Control plus Vor Shift plus Insert | Command plus V | |
| Paste as plain text (without formatting) | Control plus Shift plus VNot every app supports it. | Option plus Shift plus Command plus VApple calls it "Paste and Match Style". | |
| Open clipboard history | Windows key plus VTurn clipboard history on the first time you press it (Settings > System > Clipboard). | Command plus Space bar then Command plus 4Opens Spotlight and searches its clipboard history. Spotlight clipboard search arrived in macOS Tahoe 26. | |
| Undo | Control plus Z | Command plus Z | |
| Redo | Control plus YSome apps (Google Docs, many editors) also accept Ctrl+Shift+Z. | Shift plus Command plus Z | |
| Select all | Control plus A | Command plus A | |
| Find in the document or page | Control plus F | Command plus F | |
| Find the next match | Control plus GIn browsers and Google Docs. Many Windows desktop apps use F3 instead. | Command plus G | |
| Find the previous match | Control plus Shift plus GIn browsers and Google Docs. | Shift plus Command plus GIn the Finder, Cmd+Shift+G opens Go to Folder instead. | |
| Find and replace | Control plus H | Shift plus Command plus HGoogle Docs on Mac. Apple apps put Find & Replace under Edit > Find. | |
| Save | Control plus S | Command plus S | |
| Save As / duplicate the document | F12F12 is the Save As shortcut in Microsoft Office apps. | Shift plus Command plus S | |
| Control plus P | Command plus P | ||
| Open a file | Control plus O | Command plus O | |
| New window or document | Control plus N | Command plus N | |
| New tab | Control plus T | Command plus T | |
| Close the tab or document | Control plus Wor Control plus F4 | Command plus WCmd+W closes the front window when the app has no tabs. Option+Cmd+W closes all of the app’s windows. | |
| Close the active window / quit the app | Alt plus F4Alt+F4 closes the active window; closing an app’s last window usually exits it. | Command plus QCmd+Q quits the whole app, including all of its windows. | |
| Bold | Control plus B | Command plus B | |
| Italic | Control plus I | Command plus I | |
| Underline | Control plus U | Command plus U | |
| Add or edit a link | Control plus KIn Office, Google Docs and most editors. | Command plus K | |
| Refresh / reload | F5or Control plus R | Command plus RIn Safari, Calendar and other apps. In the Finder, Cmd+R shows the original of an alias. | |
| Open the app’s settings (preferences) | No default shortcutNo system-wide shortcut. Many apps (Windows Terminal, VS Code) use Ctrl+Comma; Win+I opens Windows Settings. | Command plus comma | |
| Open the context (right-click) menu | Shift plus F10 | Control plus click | |
| Cancel / close a dialog | Escape | Escape | |
| Open Help | F1 | Shift plus Command plus slashShift+Cmd+? opens the Help menu. | |
| Check spelling | No default shortcutNo system-wide shortcut (F7 in Microsoft Office). | Command plus semicolonor Shift plus Command plus colonCmd+; finds the next misspelled word; Shift+Cmd+: opens Spelling and Grammar. | |
| Look up the selected word (definition) | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus D |
Text navigation, selection and deletion#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to the previous word | Control plus Left arrow | Option plus Left arrow | |
| Move to the next word | Control plus Right arrowLands at the start of the next word. | Option plus Right arrowLands at the end of the next word. | |
| Move to the start of the line | Home | Command plus Left arrow | |
| Move to the end of the line | End | Command plus Right arrow | |
| Move to the start of the document | Control plus Home | Command plus Up arrow | |
| Move to the end of the document | Control plus End | Command plus Down arrow | |
| Move to the start of the previous paragraph | Control plus Up arrow | No default shortcutApple lists only the selecting version, Option+Shift+Up. | |
| Move to the start of the next paragraph | Control plus Down arrow | No default shortcutApple lists only the selecting version, Option+Shift+Down. | |
| Page up | Page Up | Fn or Globe plus Up arrowLaptops have no Page Up key; Fn+Up acts as one. | |
| Page down | Page Down | Fn or Globe plus Down arrow | |
| Scroll to the beginning of the document | No default shortcutUse Ctrl+Home, which also moves the cursor. | Fn or Globe plus Left arrowActs as the Home key: scrolls without moving the insertion point. | |
| Scroll to the end of the document | No default shortcutUse Ctrl+End, which also moves the cursor. | Fn or Globe plus Right arrowActs as the End key. | |
| Extend the selection one character | Shift plus Left arrowor Shift plus Right arrow | Shift plus Left arrowor Shift plus Right arrow | |
| Extend the selection one line up or down | Shift plus Up arrowor Shift plus Down arrow | Shift plus Up arrowor Shift plus Down arrow | |
| Select to the start of the word | Control plus Shift plus Left arrow | Option plus Shift plus Left arrow | |
| Select to the end of the word | Control plus Shift plus Right arrow | Option plus Shift plus Right arrow | |
| Select to the start of the line | Shift plus Home | Shift plus Command plus Left arrow | |
| Select to the end of the line | Shift plus End | Shift plus Command plus Right arrow | |
| Select to the start of the document | Control plus Shift plus Home | Shift plus Command plus Up arrow | |
| Select to the end of the document | Control plus Shift plus End | Shift plus Command plus Down arrow | |
| Select to the start of the paragraph | Control plus Shift plus Up arrow | Option plus Shift plus Up arrow | |
| Select to the end of the paragraph | Control plus Shift plus Down arrow | Option plus Shift plus Down arrow | |
| Select one page up or down | Shift plus Page Upor Shift plus Page Down | No default shortcut | |
| Delete the character before the cursor | Backspace | Deleteor Control plus HThe Mac Delete key works like Backspace. | |
| Forward delete (character after the cursor) | Delete | Fn or Globe plus Deleteor Control plus DUse these on keyboards without a Forward Delete key. | |
| Delete the previous word | Control plus Backspace | Option plus Delete | |
| Delete the next word | Control plus Delete | No default shortcutNot in Apple’s list. In Terminal, Option+D does it when "Use Option as Meta key" is on. | |
| Indent / insert a tab | Tab | Tab | |
| Move to the start of the line or paragraph (Emacs style) | No default shortcutUse Home. | Control plus A | |
| Move to the end of the line or paragraph (Emacs style) | No default shortcutUse End. | Control plus E | |
| Move one character forward | Right arrow | Right arrowor Control plus F | |
| Move one character backward | Left arrow | Left arrowor Control plus B | |
| Move up one line | Up arrow | Up arrowor Control plus P | |
| Move down one line | Down arrow | Down arrowor Control plus N | |
| Cut to the end of the paragraph (kill) | No default shortcut | Control plus KGoes to a separate clipboard used only by that app; paste it back with Ctrl+Y. | |
| Paste text cut with Ctrl+K (yank) | No default shortcut | Control plus Y | |
| Swap the characters either side of the cursor | No default shortcut | Control plus T | |
| Insert a new line after the cursor | No default shortcut | Control plus O | |
| Center the cursor or selection in the window | No default shortcut | Control plus L | |
| Align left | Control plus Shift plus LGoogle Docs (Word uses Ctrl+L). | Command plus left brace | |
| Align right | Control plus Shift plus RGoogle Docs (Word uses Ctrl+R). | Command plus right brace | |
| Align center | Control plus Shift plus EGoogle Docs (Word uses Ctrl+E). | Shift plus Command plus vertical bar | |
| Copy / paste formatting (style) | Control plus Alt plus Cor Control plus Alt plus VGoogle Docs. | Option plus Command plus Cor Option plus Command plus V | |
| Make the selected item bigger / smaller | Control plus Shift plus periodor Control plus Shift plus commaGoogle Docs font size. | Shift plus Command plus Plusor Shift plus Command plus MinusCmd+= also makes it bigger. |
System, search and power#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Search the computer | Windows key plus Sor Windows key plus Q | Command plus Space barSpotlight. In Spotlight, Cmd+1 to Cmd+4 narrow results to apps, files, actions or clipboard. | |
| Lock the screen | Windows key plus L | Control plus Command plus Q | |
| Open Start / the app launcher | Windows keyor Control plus Escape | Fn or Globe plus Shift plus AOpens Apps in macOS Tahoe 26 and later (Launchpad in earlier versions). | |
| Force quit a frozen app | Control plus Shift plus EscapeOpens Task Manager; select the app and choose End task. | Option plus Command plus EscapeOpens the Force Quit Applications window. | |
| Security options (lock, switch user, sign out, Task Manager) | Control plus Alt plus Delete | No default shortcutNo equivalent screen. Use Cmd+Option+Esc for frozen apps and Ctrl+Cmd+Q to lock. | |
| Sign out / log out | Control plus Alt plus DeleteThen choose Sign out. | Shift plus Command plus QAsks for confirmation. Option+Shift+Cmd+Q logs out immediately. | |
| Show the shut down / restart dialog | Alt plus F4Press it on the desktop with no windows focused. | Control plus Power buttonOn built-in keyboards without Touch ID. | |
| Sleep | No default shortcutNo default shortcut. Use Alt+F4 on the desktop, or Win+X, then Shut down or sign out. | Option plus Command plus Power buttonOn built-in keyboards without Touch ID you can also hold the power button for 1.5 seconds. | |
| Put the displays to sleep | No default shortcut | Control plus Shift plus Power buttonKeyboards without Touch ID. | |
| Force restart (without saving) | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus Power buttonKeyboards without Touch ID. Unsaved work is lost. | |
| Quit all apps and shut down | No default shortcut | Control plus Option plus Command plus Power buttonKeyboards without Touch ID. Asks to save open documents. | |
| Wake the device when the screen is black | Windows key plus Control plus Shift plus BAlso resets the graphics driver, which can fix a black screen. | No default shortcut | |
| Open system settings | Windows key plus I | No default shortcutNo default shortcut. Option + a brightness, volume or keyboard-light key opens that settings pane. | |
| Open the Quick Link (power user) menu | Windows key plus XSame as right-clicking Start. | No default shortcut | |
| Open the Run dialog | Windows key plus R | No default shortcutUse Spotlight (Cmd+Space) or Go to Folder in the Finder (Cmd+Shift+G). | |
| Open notifications | Windows key plus NNotification center and calendar. | Fn or Globe plus NNotification Center. | |
| Open Quick Settings / Control Center | Windows key plus A | Fn or Globe plus C | |
| Open Widgets | Windows key plus W | No default shortcut | |
| Open the AI assistant | Copilot keyor Windows key plus COpens Microsoft Copilot or Microsoft 365 Copilot (Windows search if Copilot is unavailable). Change it in Settings > Personalization > Text input. | Command then CommandPress Command twice to open Type to Siri. | |
| Open Recall | Windows key plus JCopilot+ PCs that meet the requirements. | No default shortcut | |
| Start dictation / voice typing | Windows key plus H | Fn or Globe plus D | |
| Choose a display mode (project / mirror) | Windows key plus P | Command plus Brightness Down keyTurns video mirroring on or off with more than one display. | |
| Cast to a wireless display | Windows key plus K | No default shortcut | |
| Open System > About | Windows key plus Pause | No default shortcut | |
| Switch keyboard language / input source | Windows key plus Space bar | Control plus Option plus Space barNext input source; Ctrl+Space selects the previous one. | |
| Switch to the previous keyboard language | Windows key plus Shift plus Space bar | Control plus Space bar | |
| Open Feedback Hub | Windows key plus F | No default shortcut | |
| Open Game Bar | Windows key plus G | No default shortcut | |
| Open Quick Assist (remote help) | Windows key plus Control plus Q | No default shortcut | |
| Choose the sound output device | Windows key plus Control plus V | Option plus Volume Up keyOpens Sound settings (works with any volume key). | |
| Adjust volume in smaller steps | No default shortcut | Option plus Shift plus Volume Up keyor Option plus Shift plus Volume Down key | |
| Adjust brightness in smaller steps | No default shortcut | Option plus Shift plus Brightness Up keyor Option plus Shift plus Brightness Down key | |
| Open display settings | No default shortcut | Option plus Brightness Up key | |
| Open keyboard settings | No default shortcut | Option plus Keyboard Brightness Up key | |
| Mute or unmute the microphone | Windows key plus Alt plus KIn supported calling apps. | No default shortcut | |
| Turn HDR on or off | Windows key plus Alt plus B | No default shortcut | |
| Show or hide the date and time on the desktop | Windows key plus Alt plus D | No default shortcut | |
| Show your password on the sign-in screen | Alt plus F8 | No default shortcut | |
| Create a Quick Note | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Q | |
| Ask Siri about the active window | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus Space barmacOS 27 or later with Siri AI (Beta) turned on. | |
| Ask Siri about a selected area of the screen | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus 6macOS 27 or later with Siri AI (Beta) turned on. |
Windows, apps and desktops#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switch between open apps | Alt plus TabHold Alt and keep pressing Tab. Windows shows every window, not just apps. | Command plus TabHold Cmd and keep pressing Tab. Switches apps; use Cmd+` for windows within an app. | |
| Switch between windows of the same app | No default shortcutAlt+Tab already lists each window. On the taskbar, Ctrl+click a grouped app to cycle its windows. | Command plus grave accentThe key above Tab. Shift+Cmd+` goes the other way. | |
| See all open windows (Task View / Mission Control) | Windows key plus Tab | Control plus Up arrowor Mission Control key | |
| Show all windows of the current app | No default shortcut | Control plus Down arrowApp Exposé. | |
| Open a switcher that stays open | Control plus Alt plus TabUse the arrow keys, then Enter. | No default shortcut | |
| Cycle windows in the order they were opened | Alt plus Escape | No default shortcut | |
| Show the desktop | Windows key plus DPress again to bring the windows back. | Command plus Mission Control keyor Fn or Globe plus Hor Fn or Globe plus F11 | |
| Peek at the desktop while held | Windows key plus comma | No default shortcut | |
| Minimize the window | Windows key plus Down arrowOn a maximized window the first press restores it; press again to minimize. | Command plus M | |
| Minimize all windows of the front app | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus M | |
| Minimize all windows | Windows key plus M | No default shortcutUse Show Desktop (Fn+H) or hide apps with Cmd+Option+H. | |
| Restore minimized windows | Windows key plus Shift plus M | No default shortcut | |
| Minimize / hide all other windows | Windows key plus HomePress again to restore them. | Option plus Command plus HHides all other apps. | |
| Hide the front app | No default shortcutMinimize instead (Win+Down). | Command plus H | |
| Maximize / fill the screen | Windows key plus Up arrow | Fn or Globe plus Control plus F"Fill" tiles the window to the whole desktop without full-screen mode. macOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Snap / tile the window to the left half | Windows key plus Left arrow | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Left arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Snap / tile the window to the right half | Windows key plus Right arrow | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Right arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Snap / tile the window to the top half | Windows key plus Alt plus Up arrowRecent Windows 11 builds. | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Up arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Snap / tile the window to the bottom half | Windows key plus Alt plus Down arrowRecent Windows 11 builds. | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Down arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Restore the window’s previous size | Windows key plus Shift plus Down arrowRestores a snapped or maximized window. | Fn or Globe plus Control plus R"Return to Previous Size", macOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Center the window | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus CmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Open Snap layouts | Windows key plus Z | No default shortcutHold the pointer over the green button in the window’s corner for tiling layouts. | |
| Tile two windows: active left, next right | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Shift plus Left arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile two windows: active right, next left | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Shift plus Right arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile two windows: active top, next bottom | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Shift plus Up arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile two windows: active bottom, next top | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Shift plus Down arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile three windows: active left half, two on the right | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Option plus Shift plus Left arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile three windows: active right half, two on the left | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Option plus Shift plus Right arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile three windows: active top half, two below | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Option plus Shift plus Up arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Tile three windows: active bottom half, two above | No default shortcut | Fn or Globe plus Control plus Option plus Shift plus Down arrowmacOS Sequoia 15 or later. | |
| Stretch the window to the full screen height | Windows key plus Shift plus Up arrow | No default shortcut | |
| Move the window to another monitor | Windows key plus Shift plus Left arrowor Windows key plus Shift plus Right arrow | No default shortcutNo default shortcut; drag the window or use Window > Move to [display]. | |
| Enter or leave full screen | F11In browsers and File Explorer. Win+Shift+Enter makes a Store (UWP) app full screen. | Control plus Command plus For Fn or Globe plus FIn apps that support full screen. | |
| Open the window menu (move, size, close) | Alt plus Space bar | No default shortcut | |
| Add a virtual desktop (Space) | Windows key plus Control plus D | No default shortcutOpen Mission Control (Ctrl+Up) and click + in the Spaces bar. | |
| Switch to the desktop / Space on the left | Windows key plus Control plus Left arrow | Control plus Left arrow | |
| Switch to the desktop / Space on the right | Windows key plus Control plus Right arrow | Control plus Right arrow | |
| Close the current virtual desktop | Windows key plus Control plus F4 | No default shortcutIn Mission Control, hold the pointer over the Space and click its X. | |
| Open or switch to a pinned taskbar app | Windows key plus 0 to 9The number is the app’s position on the taskbar. | No default shortcutThe Dock has no number shortcuts; use Cmd+Tab or Spotlight. | |
| Start another copy of a pinned taskbar app | Windows key plus Shift plus 0 to 9 | No default shortcut | |
| Open a pinned taskbar app as administrator | Windows key plus Control plus Shift plus 0 to 9 | No default shortcut | |
| Switch to the last active window of a pinned app | Windows key plus Control plus 0 to 9 | No default shortcut | |
| Open the jump list of a pinned app | Windows key plus Alt plus 0 to 9 | No default shortcut | |
| Cycle through taskbar apps | Windows key plus TWin+Shift+T goes backwards. | No default shortcut | |
| Show or hide the Dock | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus Dor Fn or Globe plus A |
Screenshots and screen recording#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenshot of a selected area | Windows key plus Shift plus SCopies to the clipboard; click the notification to edit or save it in Snipping Tool. | Shift plus Command plus 4Drag to select. Saves to the desktop. Hold Space while dragging to move the selection; Esc cancels. | |
| Copy a selected area to the clipboard | No default shortcutWin+Shift+S (above) already copies to the clipboard. | Control plus Shift plus Command plus 4Adding Ctrl to any screenshot shortcut copies it instead of saving a file. | |
| Screenshot of the whole screen, saved as a file | Windows key plus Print ScreenSaved to Pictures > Screenshots. | Shift plus Command plus 3Saved to the desktop. | |
| Copy the whole screen to the clipboard | Print ScreenIn Windows 11, Print Screen opens the snipping overlay by default (choose full screen there). Turn this off in Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard to get the classic full-screen copy. | Control plus Shift plus Command plus 3 | |
| Screenshot of one window | Alt plus Print ScreenCopies the active window to the clipboard. | Shift plus Command plus 4 then Space barThen click the window. Hold Option while clicking to leave out the shadow. | |
| Open the screenshot tools / options | No default shortcutWin+Shift+S (above) opens the Snipping Tool overlay: rectangle, window, full screen or freeform. Start Snipping Tool from Start for delays and editing. | Shift plus Command plus 5Screenshot app (macOS Mojave 10.14+): timer, save location, pointer, recording. | |
| Record the screen (video) | Windows key plus Shift plus RSnipping Tool recording, saved as MP4 in Videos > Screen Recordings. | Shift plus Command plus 5Choose Record Entire Screen or Record Selected Portion, then Record. | |
| Cancel a screenshot in progress | Escape | Escape | |
| Snipping Tool: change snipping mode | Alt plus M | No default shortcut | |
| Snipping Tool: new snip | Alt plus N | No default shortcut | |
| Snipping Tool: delay the snip | Alt plus D | No default shortcutUse the timer in the Screenshot app (Cmd+Shift+5 > Options). | |
| Capture an open menu | Control plus Print ScreenWith Snipping Tool open: open the menu, then press Ctrl+PrtScn. | Shift plus Command plus 4Open the menu first, then drag over it. Or press Space and click the menu. |
File Explorer and Finder#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open File Explorer / a new Finder window | Windows key plus Eor Control plus NCtrl+N opens another window while File Explorer is active. | Command plus NWith the Finder active. From anywhere, Option+Cmd+Space opens a Finder search window. | |
| Open a file search window from anywhere | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus Space bar | |
| Create a new folder | Control plus Shift plus N | Shift plus Command plus N | |
| New folder containing the selected items | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus N | |
| Rename the selected file | F2 | Return | |
| Move the selected item to the Recycle Bin / Trash | Deleteor Control plus D | Command plus Delete | |
| Delete permanently (skip the Recycle Bin) | Shift plus Delete | No default shortcutMove it to the Trash, then empty the Trash (Cmd+Shift+Delete). | |
| Empty the Trash | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus Deleteor Option plus Shift plus Command plus DeleteAdding Option skips the confirmation. | |
| Move files (cut and paste) | Control plus X then Control plus V | Command plus C then Option plus Command plus VThe Finder has no Cut for files: copy, then Option+Cmd+V moves them. | |
| Duplicate the selected files | No default shortcutCopy and paste in the same folder (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V). | Command plus D | |
| Show properties / Get Info | Alt plus Enter | Command plus I | |
| Show or hide the preview pane | Alt plus P | Shift plus Command plus P | |
| Show or hide the details pane | Alt plus Shift plus P | No default shortcut | |
| Quick Look preview of the selected file | No default shortcutNo built-in equivalent; use the preview pane (Alt+P). | Space baror Command plus Y | |
| Quick Look slideshow of the selected files | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus Y | |
| Go back to the previous folder | Alt plus Left arrowor Backspace | Command plus left bracket | |
| Go forward | Alt plus Right arrow | Command plus right bracket | |
| Go up to the parent folder | Alt plus Up arrow | Command plus Up arrow | |
| Open the parent folder in a new window | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus Up arrow | |
| Open the selected item | Enter | Command plus Down arrowor Command plus O | |
| Type a folder path (address bar / Go to Folder) | Alt plus Dor Control plus Lor F4 | Shift plus Command plus G | |
| Search in the current window | Control plus Eor Control plus For F3 | Command plus F | |
| View as icons | Control plus Shift plus 2Ctrl+Shift+1 to 8 pick a view: 1 extra large, 2 large, 3 medium, 4 small icons, 5 list, 6 details, 7 tiles, 8 content. | Command plus 1 | |
| View as a list / details | Control plus Shift plus 6 | Command plus 2 | |
| View in columns | No default shortcut | Command plus 3 | |
| View as a gallery | No default shortcut | Command plus 4 | |
| Change icon size | Control plus scroll wheel | No default shortcut | |
| Resize all columns to fit | Control plus PlusPlus on the numeric keypad. | No default shortcut | |
| Expand all folders in the navigation pane | Control plus Shift plus E | No default shortcutIn list view, Option-click a disclosure triangle to open all folders inside it. | |
| Expand / collapse the selected folder | Right arrowor Left arrow | Right arrowor Left arrowList view only. | |
| Open a new tab | Control plus T | Command plus T | |
| Close the tab | Control plus W | Command plus W | |
| Next / previous tab | Control plus Tabor Control plus Shift plus Tab | No default shortcut | |
| Open the context menu for the selection | Shift plus F10 | Control plus click | |
| Refresh the window | F5 | No default shortcut | |
| Select several items | Shift plus arrow keysor Control plus clickCtrl+arrow keys move without selecting; Space adds the focused item. | Shift plus clickor Command plus click | |
| Copy while dragging | Control plus drag | Option plus drag | |
| Move while dragging | Shift plus drag | Command plus dragCmd moves instead of copying when dragging to another volume. | |
| Create a shortcut / alias while dragging | Alt plus drag | Option plus Command plus drag | |
| Make an alias of the selected item | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus A | |
| Show the original of an alias | No default shortcut | Command plus R | |
| Eject the selected disk | No default shortcut | Command plus E | |
| Connect to a server | No default shortcut | Command plus K | |
| Open the Home folder | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus H | |
| Open the Desktop folder | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus D | |
| Open the Documents folder | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus O | |
| Open the Downloads folder | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus L | |
| Open Recents | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus F | |
| Open iCloud Drive | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus I | |
| Open AirDrop | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus R | |
| Open the Utilities folder | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus U | |
| Open the Network window | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus K | |
| Open the Computer window | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus C | |
| Show or hide the path bar | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus P | |
| Show or hide the sidebar | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus S | |
| Show or hide the status bar | No default shortcut | Command plus slash | |
| Show view options | No default shortcut | Command plus J | |
| New Smart Folder | No default shortcut | Option plus Command plus N | |
| Add the selected item to the sidebar | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus T | |
| Add the selected item to the Dock | No default shortcut | Control plus Shift plus Command plus T |
Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox)#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open a private (Incognito / InPrivate) windowChrome and Edge. Firefox uses Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) and Cmd+Shift+P (Mac). | Control plus Shift plus N | Shift plus Command plus N | |
| Reopen the last closed tab | Control plus Shift plus T | Shift plus Command plus T | |
| Next tab | Control plus Tabor Control plus Page Down | Option plus Command plus Right arrowor Control plus TabCmd+Option+Right in Chrome; Ctrl+Tab or Cmd+Shift+] in Safari. | |
| Previous tab | Control plus Shift plus Tabor Control plus Page Up | Option plus Command plus Left arrowor Control plus Shift plus TabCmd+Option+Left in Chrome; Ctrl+Shift+Tab or Cmd+Shift+[ in Safari. | |
| Go to tab 1–8 | Control plus 1 to 8 | Command plus 1 to 8 | |
| Go to the last tab | Control plus 9 | Command plus 9 | |
| Close the browser window | Control plus Shift plus Wor Alt plus F4 | Shift plus Command plus W | |
| Back | Alt plus Left arrow | Command plus left bracketor Command plus Left arrowCmd+Left is Chrome only. | |
| Forward | Alt plus Right arrow | Command plus right bracketor Command plus Right arrowCmd+Right is Chrome only. | |
| Reload, ignoring the cache (hard refresh) | Control plus Shift plus Ror Shift plus F5 | Shift plus Command plus RChrome and Edge. In Safari Cmd+Shift+R opens Reader instead. | |
| Jump to the address bar | Control plus Lor Alt plus Dor F6 | Command plus L | |
| Search the web from anywhere on the page | Control plus Kor Control plus E | Option plus Command plus FChrome and Edge. | |
| Add www. and .com to what you typed in the address bar | Control plus Enter | Control plus ReturnChrome. | |
| Open what you typed in the address bar in a new tab | Alt plus EnterChrome runs it as a search in a new tab. | Command plus ReturnOpens in a background tab (Chrome, Safari). | |
| Bookmark the page | Control plus D | Command plus D | |
| Bookmark all open tabs in a new folder | Control plus Shift plus D | Shift plus Command plus DChrome and Edge. In Safari, Cmd+Shift+D adds the page to Reading List. | |
| Show or hide the bookmarks (favorites) bar | Control plus Shift plus B | Shift plus Command plus B | |
| Open the bookmark manager | Control plus Shift plus O | Option plus Command plus BChrome. Safari: Ctrl+Cmd+1 shows the bookmarks sidebar. | |
| Open history | Control plus H | Command plus Y | |
| Open downloads | Control plus J | Shift plus Command plus Jor Option plus Command plus LCmd+Shift+J in Chrome, Cmd+Option+L in Edge. | |
| Open developer tools | F12or Control plus Shift plus ICtrl+Shift+I in Edge; Ctrl+Shift+J or F12 in Chrome. | Option plus Command plus I | |
| Open the JavaScript console | Control plus Shift plus J | Option plus Command plus J | |
| View page source | Control plus U | Option plus Command plus U | |
| Clear browsing data | Control plus Shift plus Delete | Shift plus Command plus Delete | |
| Zoom in | Control plus Plus | Command plus Plus | |
| Zoom out | Control plus Minus | Command plus Minus | |
| Reset zoom to 100% | Control plus 0 | Command plus 0 | |
| Open the home page | Alt plus Home | Shift plus Command plus H | |
| Scroll down / up one screen | Space baror Shift plus Space bar | Space baror Shift plus Space bar | |
| Go to the top / bottom of the page | Homeor End | Command plus Up arrowor Command plus Down arrow | |
| Open a link in a new background tab | Control plus click | Command plus click | |
| Open a link in a new tab and switch to it | Control plus Shift plus click | Shift plus Command plus click | |
| Open a link in a new window | Shift plus click | Shift plus clickChrome. In Safari, Shift-click adds the link to Reading List. | |
| Download the linked file | Alt plus click | Option plus click | |
| Stop loading the page | Escape | Escape | |
| Move the tab left or rightChrome. | Control plus Shift plus Page Upor Control plus Shift plus Page Down | Control plus Shift plus Page Upor Control plus Shift plus Page Down | |
| Open split view in the active tabChrome. | Alt plus Shift plus N | Option plus Command plus N | |
| Turn caret browsing on or offChrome and Edge. | F7 | F7 | |
| Switch profile or browse as a guest | Control plus Shift plus M | Shift plus Command plus M | |
| Open the browser task manager | Shift plus EscapeChrome and Edge. | No default shortcut | |
| Open the browser menu | Alt plus For Alt plus E | No default shortcut | |
| Reader / Immersive Reader | F9Edge Immersive Reader. | Shift plus Command plus RSafari Reader; Esc closes it. | |
| Read the page aloud | Control plus Shift plus UEdge. | No default shortcut | |
| Mute the tab | Control plus MEdge. | No default shortcut | |
| Duplicate the tab | Control plus Shift plus KEdge. | No default shortcut | |
| Show all tabs as a grid | No default shortcut | Shift plus Command plus backslashSafari tab overview. | |
| Show or hide the Reading List | No default shortcut | Control plus Command plus 2Safari. |
Accessibility and keyboard focus#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn on the screen magnifier / zoom in | Windows key plus Plus | Option plus Command plus PlusTurn on "Use keyboard shortcuts to zoom" in Accessibility > Zoom first. | |
| Zoom the magnifier out | Windows key plus Minus | Option plus Command plus Minus | |
| Turn the magnifier / zoom off (toggle) | Windows key plus EscapeCloses Magnifier. | Option plus Command plus 8Switches between zoomed in and zoomed out. | |
| Open magnifier settings | Windows key plus Control plus M | No default shortcut | |
| Zoom with the scroll wheel | Control plus Alt plus scroll wheel | No default shortcutOptional: choose a modifier (Ctrl, Option or Cmd) for scroll zoom in Accessibility > Zoom. | |
| Magnifier views: full screen / lens / docked | Control plus Alt plus For Control plus Alt plus Lor Control plus Alt plus DCtrl+Alt+M cycles views. | No default shortcut | |
| Pan the magnified view | Control plus Alt plus arrow keys | No default shortcut | |
| Turn the screen reader on or off | Windows key plus Control plus EnterNarrator. Win+Ctrl+N opens Narrator settings. | Command plus F5VoiceOver. On some keyboards press Fn+Cmd+F5. | |
| Open accessibility settings / shortcuts panel | Windows key plus U | Option plus Command plus F5Accessibility Shortcuts panel. On Macs with Touch ID, press Touch ID three times. | |
| Invert colours | Control plus Alt plus IWhile Magnifier is on. | Control plus Option plus Command plus 8Turn it on first in Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Accessibility. | |
| Turn colour filters on or off | Windows key plus Control plus CTurn the shortcut on in Settings > Accessibility > Color filters. | No default shortcut | |
| Turn high contrast on or off | Alt plus Shift plus Print ScreenLeft Alt + left Shift. | No default shortcut | |
| Increase / reduce contrast | No default shortcut | Control plus Option plus Command plus periodor Control plus Option plus Command plus commaTurn it on first in Keyboard Shortcuts > Accessibility. | |
| Turn Sticky Keys on or off | Shift then Shift then Shift then Shift then ShiftPress Shift five times. | No default shortcut | |
| Turn Filter Keys on or off | ShiftHold the right Shift key for eight seconds. | No default shortcut | |
| Turn Toggle Keys on or off | Num LockHold Num Lock for five seconds. | No default shortcut | |
| Turn Mouse Keys on or off | Alt plus Shift plus Num LockLeft Alt + left Shift. | No default shortcutTurn on Mouse Keys in Accessibility > Pointer Control. | |
| Open the on-screen keyboard | Windows key plus Control plus O | No default shortcut | |
| Turn on Windows Speech Recognition | Windows key plus Control plus S | No default shortcut | |
| Move focus to the menu bar | F10 | Control plus F2Some keyboards need Fn+Ctrl+F2. | |
| Move focus to the taskbar / Dock | Windows key plus T | Control plus F3 | |
| Move focus to the notification area / status menus | Windows key plus B | Control plus F8 | |
| Move focus to the active or next window | No default shortcut | Control plus F4 | |
| Move focus to the window toolbar | No default shortcut | Control plus F5 | |
| Move focus to a floating window | No default shortcut | Control plus F6 | |
| Change whether Tab reaches all controls | No default shortcut | Control plus F7 | |
| Cycle through elements in a window | F6 | No default shortcut | |
| Move to the next / previous control | Tabor Shift plus Tab | Tabor Shift plus Tab | |
| Run a menu command by its underlined letter | Alt plus underlined letter | No default shortcutFocus the menu bar (Ctrl+F2) and type the item’s name. | |
| Move between tabs in a dialog | Control plus Tabor Control plus Shift plus Tab | Control plus Tabor Control plus Shift plus Tab |
Emoji, symbols and accented letters#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open the emoji picker | Windows key plus periodor Windows key plus semicolonThe panel also has symbols and kaomoji. | Control plus Command plus Space baror Fn or Globe plus ECharacter Viewer, with emoji and symbols. Type a word first (e.g. "heart") and press Fn+E for suggestions. | |
| Type an accented letter (é, ñ, ü) | Alt plus 1 3 0 on the numeric keypadAlt codes: hold Alt and type the code on the numeric keypad (Alt+130 = é, Alt+0241 = ñ). Num Lock must be on. | EPress and hold the letter, then pick the accent from the menu (or press its number). | |
| Acute accent: á é í ó ú | No default shortcut | Option plus E then EOption+E, then the letter. U.S. and ABC layouts. | |
| Grave accent: à è ì ò ù | No default shortcut | Option plus grave accent then EOption+`, then the letter. | |
| Umlaut: ä ë ï ö ü | No default shortcut | Option plus U then UOption+U, then the letter. | |
| Circumflex: â ê î ô û | No default shortcut | Option plus I then EOption+I, then the letter. | |
| Tilde: ã ñ õ | No default shortcut | Option plus N then NOption+N, then the letter. | |
| Copyright sign © | Alt plus 0 1 6 9 on the numeric keypadHold Alt and type the digits on the numeric keypad. | Option plus G | |
| Registered sign ® | Alt plus 0 1 7 4 on the numeric keypad | Option plus R | |
| Trademark sign ™ | Alt plus 0 1 5 3 on the numeric keypad | Option plus 2 | |
| Degree sign ° | Alt plus 0 1 7 6 on the numeric keypad | Option plus Shift plus 8 | |
| Euro sign € | Alt plus 0 1 2 8 on the numeric keypad | Option plus Shift plus 2 | |
| Pound sign £ | Alt plus 0 1 6 3 on the numeric keypad | Option plus 3 | |
| Yen sign ¥ | Alt plus 0 1 6 5 on the numeric keypad | Option plus Y | |
| Cent sign ¢ | Alt plus 0 1 6 2 on the numeric keypad | Option plus 4 | |
| Section sign § | Alt plus 0 1 6 7 on the numeric keypad | Option plus 6 | |
| Micro sign µ | Alt plus 0 1 8 1 on the numeric keypad | Option plus M | |
| Inverted question mark ¿ | Alt plus 0 1 9 1 on the numeric keypad | Option plus Shift plus slash | |
| Guillemets « » | Alt plus 0 1 7 1 on the numeric keypador Alt plus 0 1 8 7 on the numeric keypad | Option plus backslashor Option plus Shift plus backslash | |
| Fraction ½ | Alt plus 0 1 8 9 on the numeric keypad | No default shortcutNo Option-key character; use the Character Viewer (Cmd+Ctrl+Space). | |
| Fractions ¼ and ¾ | Alt plus 0 1 8 8 on the numeric keypador Alt plus 0 1 9 0 on the numeric keypad | No default shortcutUse the Character Viewer. | |
| Type any character by its Unicode code | Alt plus XWord and WordPad: type the hex code (e.g. 221A) and press Alt+X to get √. | No default shortcutAdd the "Unicode Hex Input" input source, then hold Option and type the code. | |
| Plus-minus sign ± | No default shortcutUse the emoji panel’s Symbols tab (Win+.). | Option plus Shift plus equals | |
| Not-equal sign ≠ | No default shortcut | Option plus equals | |
| Division sign ÷ | No default shortcut | Option plus slash | |
| Infinity ∞ | No default shortcut | Option plus 5 | |
| Pi π | No default shortcut | Option plus P | |
| Bullet • | No default shortcut | Option plus 8 | |
| Ellipsis … | No default shortcut | Option plus semicolon | |
| En dash – | No default shortcut | Option plus hyphen | |
| Em dash — | No default shortcut | Option plus Shift plus hyphen | |
| Curly double quotes “ ” | No default shortcut | Option plus left bracketor Option plus Shift plus left bracket | |
| Curly single quotes ‘ ’ | No default shortcut | Option plus right bracketor Option plus Shift plus right bracket | |
| Apple logo | No default shortcut | Option plus Shift plus KShows as the Apple logo only on Apple devices. | |
| Non-breaking space | No default shortcut | Option plus Space bar |
Terminal and command line#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| New terminal tab | Control plus Shift plus TWindows Terminal. | Command plus T | |
| New terminal window | Control plus Shift plus NWindows Terminal. | Command plus N | |
| Close the pane or tab | Control plus Shift plus WCloses the pane; with one pane, the tab. | Command plus W | |
| Split into panes | Alt plus Shift plus Plusor Alt plus Shift plus Minusor Alt plus Shift plus DVertical, horizontal, or automatic split. | Command plus DShift+Cmd+D closes the split pane. | |
| Move between panes | Alt plus arrow keys | No default shortcut | |
| Resize the focused pane | Alt plus Shift plus arrow keys | No default shortcut | |
| Open the command palette | Control plus Shift plus P | No default shortcut | |
| Find text in the terminal | Control plus Shift plus F | Command plus F | |
| Copy in the terminal | Control plus Cor Control plus Shift plus CIn Windows Terminal, Ctrl+C copies when text is selected; otherwise it interrupts the running command. | Command plus C | |
| Paste in the terminal | Control plus Vor Control plus Shift plus V | Command plus V | |
| Stop the running command | Control plus C | Control plus Cor Command plus periodCmd+. is the same as Ctrl+C. | |
| Make the font bigger / smaller | Control plus Plusor Control plus MinusCtrl+0 resets. | Command plus Plusor Command plus Minus | |
| Next / previous tab | Control plus Tabor Control plus Shift plus Tab | Control plus Tabor Control plus Shift plus Tab | |
| Go to tab by number | Control plus Alt plus 1 to 9 | No default shortcut | |
| New tab with the first profile | Control plus Shift plus 1Ctrl+Shift+1–9 open each profile from the dropdown. | No default shortcut | |
| Open terminal settings | Control plus comma | Command plus comma | |
| Full screen | F11or Alt plus Enter | Control plus Command plus F | |
| Scroll one line up / down | Control plus Shift plus Up arrowor Control plus Shift plus Down arrow | Option plus Command plus Page Upor Option plus Command plus Page Down | |
| Scroll one page up / down | Control plus Shift plus Page Upor Control plus Shift plus Page Down | Command plus Page Upor Command plus Page Down | |
| Scroll to the top / bottom | Control plus Shift plus Homeor Control plus Shift plus End | Command plus Homeor Command plus End | |
| Clear the screen (scrollback) | No default shortcut | Command plus K"Clear to start". | |
| Move to the start of the command line | Home | Control plus A | |
| Move to the end of the command line | End | Control plus E | |
| Move one word left / right | Control plus Left arrowor Control plus Right arrow | Option plus Left arrowor Option plus Right arrow | |
| Delete the whole line | No default shortcut | Control plus U | |
| Delete to the end of the line | Control plus EndCommand Prompt. | Control plus K | |
| Delete to the start of the line | Control plus HomeCommand Prompt. | No default shortcut | |
| Delete the previous word | Control plus Backspace | Control plus W | |
| Enter mark (keyboard selection) mode | Control plus Mor Control plus Shift plus MCtrl+M in Command Prompt, Ctrl+Shift+M in Windows Terminal. | No default shortcut | |
| Scroll the output history | Control plus Up arrowor Control plus Down arrowCommand Prompt. | No default shortcut |
Google Docs formatting#
| Action | Windows | Mac | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Show all keyboard shortcuts | Control plus slash | Command plus slash | |
| Strikethrough | Alt plus Shift plus 5 | Shift plus Command plus X | |
| Superscript | Control plus period | Command plus period | |
| Subscript | Control plus comma | Command plus comma | |
| Clear formatting | Control plus backslashor Control plus Space bar | Command plus backslash | |
| Apply heading 1–6 | Control plus Alt plus 1 to 6 | Option plus Command plus 1 to 6 | |
| Apply normal text | Control plus Alt plus 0 | Option plus Command plus 0 | |
| Numbered list | Control plus Shift plus 7 | Shift plus Command plus 7 | |
| Bulleted list | Control plus Shift plus 8 | Shift plus Command plus 8 | |
| Checklist | Control plus Shift plus 9 | Shift plus Command plus 9 | |
| Justify | Control plus Shift plus J | Shift plus Command plus J | |
| Increase / decrease indent | Control plus right bracketor Control plus left bracket | Command plus right bracketor Command plus left bracket | |
| Insert a page break | Control plus Enter | Command plus Return | |
| Move the paragraph up / down | Control plus Shift plus Up arrowor Control plus Shift plus Down arrow | Control plus Shift plus Up arrowor Control plus Shift plus Down arrow | |
| Search the menus (tool finder) | Alt plus slashor Alt plus Shift plus Z | Option plus slashor Control plus Option plus Z | |
| Switch to suggesting mode | Control plus Alt plus Shift plus X | Option plus Shift plus Command plus X | |
| Switch to editing mode | Control plus Alt plus Shift plus Z | Option plus Shift plus Command plus Z | |
| Repeat the last action | Control plus Y | Command plus Y | |
| Small caps | Control plus Shift plus K | Option plus Shift plus K | |
| Hide the menus (compact mode) | Control plus Shift plus F | Control plus Shift plus F | |
| Open the link under the cursor | Alt plus Enter | Option plus Return |
Sources (24 official pages)
- Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Windows
- Microsoft Support: Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility
- Microsoft Support: Use Snipping Tool to capture screenshots
- Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Edge
- Microsoft Learn: Windows Terminal actions and panes
- Microsoft Support: Insert ASCII or Unicode Latin-based symbols and characters
- Microsoft Support: Keyboard shortcuts in Word
- Apple Support: Mac keyboard shortcuts
- Apple: Mac window tiling icons and keyboard shortcuts
- Apple Support: Take a screenshot on Mac
- Apple: View open windows and spaces in Mission Control
- Apple: Work in multiple spaces on Mac
- Apple: Spotlight keyboard shortcuts on Mac
- Apple: Keyboard shortcuts and gestures in Safari on Mac
- Apple: Keyboard shortcuts in Terminal on Mac
- Apple: Use emoji and symbols on Mac
- Apple: Enter characters with accent marks on Mac
- Apple: Zoom in on your Mac screen
- Apple: Turn VoiceOver on or off on Mac
- Apple: Rename files, folders and disks on Mac
- macOS U.S. keyboard layout (as shown in Keyboard Viewer)
- Google Chrome Help: Chrome keyboard shortcuts
- Google Docs Editors Help: Keyboard shortcuts for Google Docs
- Mozilla Support: Firefox keyboard shortcuts
Everything runs in your browser; searches are not sent anywhere. Shortcuts are checked against Microsoft, Apple and Google documentation. Browse all free tools.
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This Windows vs Mac keyboard shortcuts table puts each task’s Windows shortcut next to its Mac equivalent, for anyone moving from a PC to a Mac (or back), or using both every day. Most of the translation is mechanical: Ctrl becomes ⌘ Command, Alt becomes ⌥ Option. The rest is where people get stuck, such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete (⌥⌘Esc to force quit), Print Screen (⌘⇧3, ⌘⇧4, ⌘⇧5), Home and End (⌘← and ⌘→) and Win+Tab (⌃↑ for Mission Control). The mapping table at the top covers those first.
Where one system has no equivalent, the row says so and suggests the nearest option: Windows has no Quick Look, macOS has no Snap layouts screen, and the Mac Finder has no Cut for files. All rows were checked on 2026-10-18 against Microsoft documentation for Windows 11 (version 26H2) and Apple Support for macOS 27 Golden Gate. Search with either system’s key names; "ctrl alt del" and "cmd option esc" both find the force-quit row.
How to use
- Read the key mapping table first: it explains most rows at a glance.
- Search for the shortcut you already know, in your old system’s terms ("alt f4", "win shift s"), and read the other column.
- Filter by category, or tick "Essentials only" for the shortcuts worth relearning on day one.
- Copy a row to keep both versions together, or link to it with the action name.
- Print it as a single table for the first weeks after switching.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Windows key equivalent on a Mac?
There is no single equivalent. For app shortcuts, the Mac’s Command (⌘) key does the job of Ctrl, not of the Windows key. Windows-key shortcuts map to different Mac shortcuts: Win or Win+S (search) is ⌘Space for Spotlight, Win+D (desktop) is Fn-H, Win+Tab (Task View) is Control-Up Arrow for Mission Control, Win+L (lock) is Control-Command-Q. If you plug a Windows keyboard into a Mac, its Windows key acts as Command and Alt acts as Option.
What is Ctrl+Alt+Delete on a Mac?
Macs have no single security screen. To close a frozen app, press Option-Command-Esc (Force Quit). To lock the screen press Control-Command-Q, to log out press Shift-Command-Q, and for a full restart or shut-down dialog on keyboards without Touch ID press Control and the power button. To see running processes like Task Manager, open Activity Monitor from Spotlight.
Is the Alt key the same as Option on a Mac?
Physically yes: on a PC keyboard attached to a Mac, Alt works as Option, and some Apple keyboards print "alt" on the Option key. But Windows shortcuts that use Alt usually become Command shortcuts on a Mac: Alt+Tab is Command-Tab and Alt+F4 is Command-Q (quit) or Command-W (close window). Option is used for variants and special characters.
How do I switch between desktops on Windows and Mac?
On Windows 11 press Win+Ctrl+Left or Right arrow; Win+Ctrl+D adds a desktop. On a Mac, desktops are called Spaces: press Control-Left or Right Arrow to move between them, and Control-Up Arrow (Mission Control) to add one with the + button in the Spaces bar.
How do I right-click with the keyboard on a Mac?
Hold Control and click to open the context menu (on a trackpad, a two-finger click does the same). The Windows keyboard equivalents are Shift+F10 or the Menu key.
What is the Print Screen key on a Mac?
Macs have no Print Screen key. Shift-Command-3 captures the whole screen (like Win+PrtScn), Shift-Command-4 captures an area (like Win+Shift+S) and Shift-Command-5 opens the screenshot and screen-recording toolbar (like Snipping Tool and Win+Shift+R). Mac screenshots save to the desktop; add Control to copy to the clipboard instead, as Windows does by default.
Muscle-memory tips for switching from Windows to Mac
The Command key sits right next to the space bar, where your thumb already is, so Ctrl+C becomes a thumb-and-finger ⌘C. Give it a week before remapping anything; most switchers adapt faster than they expect. The habits that cause the most trouble:
• Closing vs quitting: ⌘W closes a window but leaves the app running; ⌘Q quits it. Alt+F4 habits usually want ⌘Q.
• Line navigation: Home and End scroll the document on a Mac. Use ⌘← and ⌘→ for the start and end of the line, ⌥← and ⌥→ to jump words.
• Deleting: the Mac Delete key is Backspace. Forward delete is Fn-Delete. In the Finder, ⌘Delete sends a file to the Trash.
• Enter in the Finder renames the selected file; ⌘O or ⌘↓ opens it.
• ⌘H hides an app entirely, which Windows has no direct equivalent for; ⌥⌘H hides everything else.
Going the other way, the reverse applies: reach for Ctrl where you used ⌘, and remember that Windows closes most apps when you close their last window.
Remapping keys so both computers feel the same
On a Mac: System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier Keys lets you reassign Caps Lock, Control, Option, Command and Globe for each keyboard. With a PC keyboard, swapping Option and Command puts Command next to the space bar, as on an Apple keyboard.
On Windows: Microsoft PowerToys includes Keyboard Manager, which can remap single keys (for example Caps Lock to Ctrl) or whole shortcuts, globally or per app. Some people who switch often map Alt+C and Alt+V to copy and paste so the thumb position matches a Mac; it works, but it changes what Alt shortcuts do in apps that rely on them.
A middle path that needs no remapping: learn the handful of rows in the mapping table above and let everything else follow the Ctrl-to-Command rule.
Shortcuts that only one system has
• Windows only: Snap layouts (Win+Z), the Quick Link menu (Win+X), the Run dialog (Win+R), Task Manager directly (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), Alt codes for symbols and a pinned-taskbar app by number (Win+1 to 9).
• Mac only: Quick Look (Space bar in the Finder), hiding an app (⌘H), Option-key characters (Option-G for ©), Emacs-style text keys (Control-A, Control-E, Control-K) and Look Up (Control-Command-D).
• Recently matched: clipboard history (Win+V on Windows; Spotlight’s clipboard search on macOS Tahoe 26 and later) and keyboard window tiling (Win+arrow keys; Fn-Control-arrow keys since macOS Sequoia 15).
Related free tools
- Windows Keyboard Shortcuts — Every Windows 11 shortcut in one searchable, printable list: Win key, Snap, desktops, screenshots, File Explorer.
- Mac Keyboard Shortcuts — Every macOS shortcut with ⌘ ⌥ ⌃ ⇧ symbols explained: screenshots, window tiling, Finder, Safari and special characters.
- Typing Speed Test — Timed or word-count typing test with live WPM, accuracy, error highlighting and a speed chart.
- Online Timer — Countdown timer with alarm, stopwatch with laps and a Pomodoro timer, with a big fullscreen display.
- Word Counter — Count words, characters, sentences and reading time, and check X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, SEO and SMS limits as you type.