by Did you know that there are over 100 million Mac computers in use today? Although this might seem like a substantial number, it’s only a fraction of how many Windows computers are in use. Regardless, Mac devices are still powerful machines with many hidden nuances that users aren’t aware of.
Using your Macbook to the fullest extent means you need to know the various Apple features that aren’t always immediately apparent. We’ve put together a guide full of Mac tricks to help you get started. Let’s explore some of the most useful Macbook features.
1. You Can Pin a Media Player to Your Menu Bar
Not many people know that you can actually pin a media player to your menu bar on a Mac. If you frequently use iTunes or another media player, this is a great way to keep it easily accessible. To do this, simply open the program and then click on the Window tab.
From there, select the “Pin to Menu Bar” option. The media player will then be available in your menu bar for quick and easy access.
2. Shortcut to Create a New Folder
Creating a new folder can be done in a number of ways on a Mac. However, if you want to do it quickly and without having to go through several steps, there is a shortcut you can use.
To create a new folder, simply press the “Command,” “Shift,” and “N” keys simultaneously. This will open a new Finder window where you can name and save your new folder.
3. Take Screenshots Without Using Grab
Grab is a built-in app that allows you to take screenshots on your Mac. This requires you to crop the area of your screen that you want to take a screenshot of.
However, there is an even easier way to do this without having to open up another program. To take a screenshot, simply press the “Command,” “Shift,” and “3” keys simultaneously. This will take a picture of your entire screen and save it as a PNG file on your desktop.
4. Quickly Preview Files
If you want to quickly preview a file on your Mac, all you need to do is press the spacebar. This will open up a Quick Look preview of the file so you can see what it is without having to open it in another program.
To close the Quick Look preview, simply press the spacebar again or hit the “Escape” key.
5. Zip and Unzip Files
Zipping files is a great way to save space on your hard drive and make it easier to transfer files. To zip a file, simply right-click on it and select the “Compress” option. This will create a ZIP file that you can then rename. Compressing files also makes them easier to send.
Unzipping a file is just as easy. Simply double-click on the ZIP file and it will be unzipped into a new folder.
6. Control Which Programs Load Upon Startup
If you want to control which programs load when you start up your Mac, simply go to the “System Preferences” menu and click on the “Users & Groups” option. From there, select your username and then click on the “Login Items” tab. This will show you a list of all the programs that are set to launch when you start up your Mac.
To add or remove programs from this list, simply click on the “+” or “-” buttons.
7. It’s Possible to Run Windows on Your Mac
In addition to running MacOS, your Macbook is also capable of running Windows. This can be done using a program called Boot Camp. Boot Camp allows you to partition your hard drive so that you can have both MacOS and Windows installed.
This is great for users who need to use specific Windows programs but don’t want to sacrifice the performance of their Mac. To use Boot Camp, simply go to the “Boot Camp Assistant” program in your “Utilities” folder.
Follow the instructions and then restart your computer. You will then be prompted to choose which operating system you want to boot into.
In case things go awry, you’ll need to understand how to restore your Mac from a backup. https://setapp.com/how-to/restore-mac-to-previous-date has more info on how you can do so.
8. You Can Change Your Folder and File Icons
If you’re tired of the generic folder and file icons on your Mac, you can actually change them to something more personal. To do this, simply right-click on the icon and select the “Get Info” option.
From there, you can click on the icon and paste a new one. You can also use pre-made icons that were developed by a third party if you wish.
9. You Can Make Almost Anything a Keyboard Shortcut
If you find yourself doing the same thing over and over again, there’s a good chance you can create a keyboard shortcut for it.
Keyboard shortcuts can be created for almost anything on your Mac, including opening apps, opening files, and even running specific commands in the Terminal. To create a keyboard shortcut, simply go to the “Keyboard” preferences panel in your “System Preferences” menu.
From there, click on the “Shortcuts” tab and then select the “App Shortcuts” option. Click on the “+” button to add a new shortcut.
10. You Can Record Your Screen
If you need to create a video tutorial or just want to record what’s happening on your screen, you can do so by using the built-in screen recording tool on your Mac.
To access this tool, simply open up the “QuickTime Player” app and then go to the “File” menu, and select the “New Screen Recording” option.
Taking Advantage of Macbook Features Is Easier Than It Seems
These are just a few of the many hidden features that your Mac has to offer. By taking advantage of these Macbook features, you can make your experience using a Mac even better.
Looking for other info that can help you improve your use of technology? Be sure you check out the rest of our blog for more great tips.
