Missing Windows Features On Mac These 8 Apps Can Help

1. AltTab

On a Mac, switching between apps with the Command + Tab only shows app icons but not their previews. Also, it does not show multiple open windows of the same app. This can be frustrating if you have a few Chrome windows open. There’s no indication of which window will open upon clicking the icon AltTab app brings back the familiar Windows Alt + Tab behavior. Now you can see all your open windows and switch to the exact one you need! Download and Install AltTab Another app is the Dock AltTab which shows previews when you hover on the dock icons. However, the functionality isn’t similar to Windows and the app is a bit buggy.

2. MiddleClick

Normally, clicking the scroll wheel (middle click) on your mouse lets you close tabs or open links in new tabs. Mac’s trackpad and Magic Mouse lack this functionality. The MiddleClick app fixes this. With a simple three-finger tap, you can mimic middle-click using a trackpad – just like on a regular mouse. Download and Install MiddleClick

3. Maccy

Unlike Windows, which has a built-in clipboard history, Mac doesn’t display a history of items you have copied. When you copy something new, it replaces the last item in the clipboard. Fortunately, there’s a way to view everything you copied earlier with Maccy. Maccy shows your clipboard history with a simple keyboard shortcut. Thus you can copy multiple items without the fear of losing older ones. It can store up to 50 items including images. The app costs $9.99 from the App Store, but you can install it free from the Maccy website. Download and Install Maccy

4. Rectangle

To snap windows on Mac, you need to press and hold Option button, hover over the green button, and select the desired position. This also lacks keyboard shortcuts or trackpad gestures, making it cumbersome. Rectangle lets you snap windows just like a Windows computer. Simply move the window to a corner of the screen, and it’ll snap into place. You can even set keyboard shortcuts for faster snapping. Download and Install Rectangle Magnet is another great alternative, but it’s a paid app and costs $4.99.

5. RedQuits

Clicking the red button on Mac only closes the window, not the app. To really quit, go to the app menu or use Command + Q. Want it to quit like on Windows? Install RedQuits. It makes the red button quit the app, but only when it’s the last open window. With multiple windows, it just closes that specific window. Basically, RedQuits gives the red button Windows “X” button behavior. Download and Install RedQuits

6. Command X

Cutting and pasting files on a Mac is confusing. Unlike text, you cannot cut files with Command + X. Instead, you must copy (Command + C) and then paste (Option + Command + V) using a three-button shortcut to move the file. The Command X app removes this confusion. Once installed, you can simply cut the file with the Command + X and then paste it with a familiar Command + V shortcut. Download and Install Command X

7. Linear Mouse

Your mouse doesn’t move exactly the same distance on the screen as your hand. Moving your mouse quickly makes the cursor jump further away. This is because of Mouse acceleration that’s enabled on both Windows and Mac by default. However, this can be an issue for tasks like designing and gaming. Imagine a software feature impacting your aim in a game. While you can turn it off on Windows from the Control Panel, Mac does not offer such a feature. You either have to turn off mouse acceleration using Terminal or you can do it with the help of the Linear Mouse app. Download and Install Linear Mouse You can also check out the Mos app for more mouse customization.

8. Better Touch Tool

Want your Mac to work even more like Windows? Better Touch Tool can help! This app lets you customize everything from keyboard shortcuts and trackpad gestures to window snapping and navigation controls. Here’s what you can do with BTT:

Make the close button actually quit the application completely (like Windows). Change keyboard shortcuts to match what you’re used to on Windows. Set up trackpad gestures you already know. Snap windows to the sides of your screen for easy multitasking (ditch that Rectangle app). Manage your clipboard history (no need for Maccy). and much more…

Better Touch Tool isn’t free, but it’s a one-time purchase. Get a standard license with 2 years of updates for $10, or a lifetime license for $21. Also, the app needs a learning curve to get started. Download and Install the Better Touch Tool

Windows Experience on Mac

It’s always better to get used to the native way of doing things. However, few features on Mac are a letdown compared to the Windows counterpart. The above apps helped me to get back on track while using Mac. Let me know which apps and tricks you use to make the switch easier. You can also check out these Mac tips for the Windows Switchers to make your Mac feel like home.