PC vs Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

I use a Mac for web development and use a Windows Virtual Machine for my support work and thought I’d post some useful shortcuts as a comparison. Generally they’re very similar with Macs using ⌘ (Command) instead of Ctrl, but some are different such as Print Screen and using Explorer / Finder.

General

PC

Mac

Windows / Command Key Windows (Next to Alt)
Alt / Option Key Alt
Cursor Start of Line Home ⌘ + Left arrow
Cursor End of Line End ⌘ + Right arrow
Find Ctrl + F ⌘ + F
Find Next F3 ⌘ + G
Cut, Copy, Paste Ctrl + X, C, V ⌘ + X, C, V
Undo Ctrl + Z ⌘ + Z
Redo Ctrl + Shift + Z ⌘ + Shift + Z
Print Screen Ctrl+ Prnt Scrn ⌘ + Shift + 3
Print Selection 3rd Party Software ⌘ + Shift + 4
Print Window Alt + Prnt Scrn ⌘ + Shift + 4 + Spacebar

Explorer / Finder

 
Show Hidden System Folders N/A ⌘ + Shift + G
Open Computer Folder Win + E ⌘ + Shift + C
Show Desktop / Hide Applications Win + D ⌘ + H
Hide / Show Start Menu / Dock Ctrl + Esc ⌘ + ⌥ + D
Switch Application Alt + Tab ⌘ + Tab
Get Properties Alt + Enter ⌘ + I
Close / Quit program Alt + F4 ⌘+ Q

Internet Browser

   
Refresh Browser Page F5 ⌘ + R
Clear Cache / Browsing History Ctrl + Shift + Del ⌘ + Shift + Backspace
Dev Tools (Chrome/Firefox/Opera) Ctrl + Shift + I ⌘ + ⌥ + I
Dev Tools (IE) F12 N/A
Inspect Element Ctrl + Win + C ⌘ + ⌥/Shift + C
Clear Console Ctrl + L Ctrl + L

Recovery / Troubleshooting

   
Boot from CD F10 / Bios Hold C
Boot in Safe Mode F8 Hold Shift after Apple Tone
End Unresponsive Program Ctrl + Alt + Del ⌘ + ⌥ + Esc

Relieving Repetitive Strain Injury

Whilst creating multiple images for a recent project, I developed Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and it was excrutiating I can tell you. I’ve since automated the process which I will be reviewing in a future post, but still suffer from it occasionally. Knowing others who have also experienced this, I thought I’d post some recommendations my sister gave me who’s an osteopath.

Wrist Bend & Flex Exercise

Wrist Bend Exercise

Wrist Bend

Wrist Extend Exercise

Wrist Extend

  • Stretch your arm out keeping it locked
  • Use your other hand to bend / extend your wrist, keeping it relaxed
  • Hold for 10 and repeat 3 times for both sides

These exercises have helped a lot and I do them at the end of the day or if I feel any tension in my hand or wrist.

Mouse Size

My mouse was too small causing  me to grip the sides which produced tension in my thumb and little finger. I now use a Magic Trackpad, having purchased a Mac recently and that too has helped. Windows functionality is very limited for PCs however, and may purchase a Logitech Trackman in future. They take a while getting used to, but remove any tension caused by gripping the mouse.