{"id":58015,"date":"2014-01-08T12:59:47","date_gmt":"2014-01-08T10:59:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/onsoftware.en.softonic.com\/?p=58015"},"modified":"2025-07-02T00:57:27","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T07:57:27","slug":"making-the-switch-from-pc-to-mac-learn-the-basics-of-os-x-in-30-minutes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/making-the-switch-from-pc-to-mac-learn-the-basics-of-os-x-in-30-minutes\/","title":{"rendered":"Making the switch from PC to Mac? Learn the basics of OS X in 30 minutes"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, you’ve made the leap to using a Mac after years of proudly using a PC? Or maybe you’re about to make the switch?\u00a0Here are some things you’ll need to know about OS X to help you get started with your new computer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you’re used to Windows, its likely that you’ll need\u00a0a small handbook to\u00a0explain\u00a0some of the basics of OS X<\/strong> so that you can enjoy the\u00a0Apple experience without too many speed bumps along the way. For example, where can you find the tools you use every day?\u00a0How do you uninstall a program, or create a screenshot?<\/p>\n

Below is the first part in a\u00a0practical guide<\/strong> that’ll help you learn\u00a0everything you need to know to start enjoying your new Mac simply and easily.<\/p>\n

What is the Finder?<\/h3>\n

\"Finder<\/a>This is usually the first question by new Mac users. And it’s a perfectly valid question.<\/p>\n

The answer is simple: the Finder is the file manager for OS X<\/strong>. In the Windows world, its counterpart is Windows Explorer.<\/p>\n

In other words, it’s a program that’s always running and it\u00a0provides a graphical interface<\/strong> that lets you\u00a0manage the files and disks on your computer, letting you visually access\u00a0all the data there is including music, documents, and videos.<\/p>\n

Here’s what a Finder window looks like\u00a0in OS X 10.9 Mavericks.<\/p>\n

\"OS<\/p>\n

In a nutshell, use\u00a0Finder to search for files, move them, order them, group them into folders, change their icons, catalog\u00a0them using labels, or\u00a0delete them. There are also\u00a0many other uses for Finder. If you want to know more, here’s\u00a0Apple’s\u00a0official page<\/a> that explains everything about\u00a0Finder.<\/p>\n

Where’s the Start menu?<\/h3>\n

Quite simply, there isn’t one<\/strong>. So, how do you search for or open a file or program, access a disk or change system preferences?<\/p>\n

Searching with Spotlight<\/strong> is the quickest way to finding anything on your Mac. Click on the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner on the top bar, which will open up the Spotlight search field. Type in\u00a0what you’re looking for \u2013 the results are divided into the different types\u00a0of files.<\/p>\n

\"OS<\/p>\n

To open an application you’ve been looking for, or that you’ve just\u00a0installed, simply\u00a0go to the Applications<\/em> folder, look for it and double click on it. Almost all programs should be in here.<\/p>\n

If you are using a Mac laptop, or you have a trackpad<\/strong>, it’s even easier: pinch the trackpad with your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, and you will see the Launchpad that has\u00a0all of your programs in it. Just click on the one\u00a0you want to open.<\/p>\n

\"OS<\/p>\n

If there are any files or folders that you use on a regular basis, you can put them in the dock to make things easier, which is the lower bar for quick access. If you don’t see it, hover in the lower part of the screen and it will appear.<\/p>\n

\"OSTo add shortcuts to files, folders or programs, just drag and drop it above.\u00a0This is an alias, so if you decide to later delete it, it will only delete\u00a0the link, not the file or program it’s pointing to.<\/p>\n

If you want to change the system preferences<\/strong>, go to the\u00a0Apple<\/em> menu and select System Preferences<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"OSYou’ll have access to the entire panel.<\/p>\n

\"OS<\/p>\n

How do I access the\u00a0hard drive?<\/h3>\n

In OS X,\u00a0internal and external drives, along with\u00a0CDs and DVDs that you load\u00a0onto the Mac, are easily\u00a0visible on the desktop. If you don’t see the hard drive on your desktop, it’s likely that your Finder preferences are set so that the drives are hidden.<\/p>\n

To make them visible, bring the Finder window to the foreground. For example, access\u00a0the Finder window by choosing between open programs, hold down the Command (Cmd)<\/em> key and press the Tab<\/em> key (the one above the caps lock) until the Finder window is selected. After that, go to the Finder menu, select Preferences<\/strong>, and in the General<\/strong> tab, go to\u00a0the menu item Show these items on the desktop, <\/em>then make sure Hard disks<\/strong><\/em> is selected.<\/p>\n

\"OS<\/p>\n

If you then want to have access to the drives even more easily, select the Sidebar<\/strong><\/em> tab and then Hard disks<\/em>. You’ll be able to have all the disks available at all times in the sidebar of any folder you open.<\/p>\n

\"OS<\/p>\n

At this point, you’ve learned the basics of mastering\u00a0OS X.<\/p>\n

In the next part of this series, we’ll cover even more topics to help you master your Mac:<\/p>\n