The Mac desktop and what you see when you turn it on

When you start a Mac, you see the desktop — a blank background with a menu bar at the top and a dock at the bottom. The menu bar shows the time, battery level, Wi-Fi status, and other system information on the right side. On the left, you see the Apple menu (the apple symbol) and the name of whatever program is currently active.

The dock is a row of icons at the bottom of the screen that holds your most-used programs and files. By default, it includes Finder (the file manager), Trash, and a few Apple programs. You can add or remove icons by dragging them in or out. Click any icon in the dock to open that program, or to switch to it if it is already running.

The desktop itself is where you can place files and folders. You can also right-click (or control-click) on the desktop to create a new folder or change the background image. Most of the time, though, you will work inside programs or inside Finder, not directly on the desktop.

Key Takeaways

  • The dock at the bottom holds your programs and files; click any icon to open it or switch to it.
  • Finder is the Mac file manager — use it to browse folders, find files, and move things around.
  • The trackpad responds to two-finger scrolling, two-finger clicking (right-click), and pinch-to-zoom; you do not need an external mouse.
  • The Apple menu in the top left gives you access to System Settings, where you control how your Mac behaves.
  • Force quit a frozen program by pressing Command + Option + Escape, then select the program and click Force Quit.

Opening programs and switching between them

The easiest way to open a program is to click its icon in the dock. If the program you want is not in the dock, click the Finder icon (the smiling face) and then click Applications in the sidebar. You will see a folder full of all your programs. Double-click any program to open it.

Once you have multiple programs open, you can switch between them in three ways. Click the program's icon in the dock. Use Command + Tab to cycle through open programs (hold Command and press Tab repeatedly until you reach the one you want, then release). Or click anywhere in the program's window if you can see it on screen.

When you close a program's window by clicking the red button in the top left corner, the program itself may still be running in the background. To fully quit a program, use Command + Q or click the program name in the menu bar and select Quit. A small dot under a dock icon means that program is currently running.

Using Finder to manage your files and folders

Finder is the Mac equivalent of Windows Explorer — it shows you all your files and folders. Click the Finder icon in the dock (the smiling face) to open it. On the left sidebar, you will see shortcuts to common places: Desktop, Documents, Downloads, and your user folder.

To create a new folder, open Finder, navigate to where you want it, then press Command + Shift + N. A new folder appears with the name highlighted so you can type a new name. To move a file, drag it from one folder to another. To copy a file instead of moving it, hold Option while you drag.

The Downloads folder is where files from the internet land by default. Check it regularly and move important files to a more permanent location like Documents. The Trash icon in the dock holds deleted files until you empty it — right-click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash to permanently delete everything in it.

Using the trackpad and keyboard shortcuts

The Mac trackpad is sensitive and supports multiple gestures. One finger moves the cursor. Two fingers scrolling up or down scrolls through a document or webpage. Two fingers tapping (or one finger clicking in the bottom right corner) acts as a right-click, showing you a menu of options. Pinching two fingers together zooms out; spreading them zooms in.

Learn these keyboard shortcuts to work faster. Command + C copies, Command + V pastes, and Command + X cuts. Command + Z undoes your last action. Command + S saves the current document. Command + A selects all text or files in the current window. Command + F opens a search box so you can find text on a webpage or in a document.

If a program stops responding, press Command + Option + Escape to open the Force Quit window. Select the frozen program and click Force Quit to close it without losing other work. This is the Mac equivalent of Ctrl + Alt + Delete on Windows.

Adjusting settings in System Settings

Click the Apple menu (top left corner) and select System Settings to open the control panel for your Mac. This is where you change how your computer looks and behaves. Common settings include Display (brightness and resolution), Sound (volume and output), Keyboard (repeat rate and shortcuts), and Trackpad (sensitivity and gestures).

In System Settings, you can also manage your Wi-Fi connection, set up a new user account, change your password, and control which programs can access your camera or microphone. The search box at the top lets you find a specific setting without scrolling through menus. For example, type "battery" to find power-saving options.

If you share your Mac with other people, create a separate user account for each person in System Settings under General > Users & Groups. Each account has its own desktop, documents, and settings, so one person's files and preferences do not affect another's.

Installing and updating programs

Most Mac programs come from the App Store, which you can open by clicking its icon in the dock or by searching for it in Spotlight (press Command + Space and type "App Store"). Search for the program you want, click Get, and then click Install App. You may need to enter your Apple ID password.

Some programs are downloaded directly from a website instead of the App Store. When you read a program this way, it usually arrives as a .dmg file (a disk image). Double-click the .dmg file, then drag the program icon into the Applications folder that appears. Once installed, you can delete the .dmg file.

Keep your Mac and your programs up to date. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings, then General > Software Update. If updates are available, click Update Now. Restarting your Mac may be required. Updates fix security problems and add new features, so check for them at least once a month.

Connecting to Wi-Fi and the internet

Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar (top right) to see a list of available networks. Select your network and enter the password if prompted. Once connected, the Wi-Fi icon shows signal strength. If you do not see your network, make sure your router is turned on and within range.

If Wi-Fi is not working, try restarting your Mac. Click the Apple menu, select Restart, and wait for your computer to turn off and back on. If that does not help, restart your router by unplugging it for 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait a minute for it to fully restart, then try connecting again.

To use a wired internet connection instead, plug an Ethernet cable into the port on the back or side of your Mac (or into a USB adapter if your Mac does not have a built-in Ethernet port). Your Mac will detect the connection automatically and use it instead of Wi-Fi.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I take a screenshot on a Mac?

Press Command + Shift + 3 to capture the entire screen, or Command + Shift + 4 to select a specific area with your cursor. The screenshot saves to your Desktop by default. You can also press Command + Shift + 5 to open a menu with more screenshot options, including recording video.

What should I do if my Mac is running slowly?

Restart your Mac first — this clears temporary files and resets programs. If it is still slow, open Activity Monitor (search for it in Spotlight) to see which programs are using the most memory or processor power. Close programs you are not using. Also check your available storage in System Settings > General > Storage; if you are nearly full, delete old files or programs.

How do I connect an external mouse or keyboard to my Mac?

For wireless devices, turn on the device and put it in pairing mode (usually by holding a button for a few seconds). On your Mac, go to System Settings > Bluetooth, and your device should appear in the list. Click it to connect. For wired devices, just plug them into a USB port and your Mac will recognize them automatically.

Can I use a Mac if I have only ever used Windows?

Yes. The basic tasks are the same — opening programs, managing files, browsing the internet — but the location of buttons and menu options is different. The biggest adjustment is using Command instead of Ctrl for keyboard shortcuts, and using the trackpad instead of a mouse. Most people adapt within a few days of regular use.

What is the difference between sleeping and shutting down my Mac?

Sleep mode turns off the display and most components to save power, but your Mac wakes up when ready when you press a key or move the trackpad. Shut Down completely closes all programs and turns off the computer. Use Sleep for short breaks (a few hours), and Shut Down if you will not use your Mac for a full day or longer.