
You can add keyboard shortcuts to menu items that don't already have them, or change ones that already exist, allowing you to craft the perfect set of shortcuts for your favorite programs. Look for in-app keyboard shortcut customization: Some apps-like Photoshop or MediaMonkey-have a whole page of preferences dedicated to keyboard shortcuts.(On a Mac, you can remap a few modifier keys from System Preferences > Keyboard > Modifier Keys.) If you're just looking to remap one key to another, SharpKeys is the solution. All my shortcuts are easier to hit one-handed, and my muscle memory is untouched.
#Control key functions for windows vs. mac windows#
So I fired up SharpKeys, changed the Alt key to act as Ctrl (and the Windows key to act as Alt), so my keyboard would be more Mac-like-and it's changed my life.
#Control key functions for windows vs. mac mac#
Remap individual keys with SharpKeys: I used to be a Mac user, and after switching back to Windows, I never got used to using Ctrl instead of Command.There are a few ways to customize these hotkeys-some easy, and some a bit more advanced: Maybe an app doesn't have built-in hotkeys for the actions you want, or maybe certain shortcuts are too difficult to reach with one hand (I'm talking to you, Ctrl+Shift+Esc). If the above is old hat to you, it's time to start making your own shortcuts. Remap, Customize, and Create Your Own Shortcuts (Bonus: if you hold Shift while moving the arrow keys, you'll select that text instead of just moving the cursor.) Turns out, he was holding Ctrl and using the arrow keys-left and right move the cursor between words, while up and down move it between paragraphs. Ctrl+Arrow Keys: I used to have a boss who could work his way around a long document with nothing but the keyboard, and it amazed me.Its behavior can vary a bit from app to app, but give it a try-on Mac you may find Command+Shift+V works in some apps, while Option+Shift+Command+V is required for others. To avoid this, many apps let you use Ctrl+Shift+V to paste a block of text without links and other garbage, so you don't have to waste time switching the font back to normal. Ctrl+Shift+V: Ctrl+Shift+V: You probably know you can press Ctrl+V to paste, but that often brings a lot of baggage with it-if you're copying text from a website, it could include the original font, links, and other formatting you don't want.Like Thor's hammer returning to his hand, the tab will reappear in an instant.) (Bonus: if you accidentally close a tab and want to bring it back, press Ctrl+Shift+T. Ctrl+T and Ctrl+Shift+T: Instead of clicking that tiny New Tab button in your browser, press Ctrl+T to instantly open a new tab and start searching.Do this as often as possible, lest you lose everything when your computer crashes/loses power/your cat accidentally closes Microsoft Word.


Just press the Windows key-or hit Commnand+Space on a Mac-and start typing the name of the app in question. The Windows key (or Command+Space on a Mac): If you need to launch a new app, don't go clicking through your Start menu or Applications folder.You probably know a few (Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste, for example), but there are dozens of others that can replace the clicks you make all day long.

Let's start with the basics: learn as many keyboard shortcuts as your brain can store.
