Picture this...
After years of using Windows, you get used to its little nuances and foibles. And one may become so ingrained within its way of working, even its least intuitive aspects become second nature, and dare I say, normal.
"This is the way a proper computer is supposed to work!"
Now in front of you, you have a Macintosh. Suddenly, maybe for the first time in years, you don't really know what you're doing!
First, you'll try and use your years of Windows experience, and apply that to this newfangled Mac-thing! This will take you so far, but sooner or later, you're going to hit something that simply isn't the same, or at the very least, isn't in the same place. How do you react to that?
"I don't like this! This is stupid! Why can't it be like Windows?"
So now...
...rather than walking away in a huff, disappointed and disillusioned, what this page is intended to do, is look at some of the main basic differences in use between Windows and OS X, that can cause the most initial confusion to those of a Windows persuasion.
Ease past these initial hurdles, then maybe the rest can be tackled with relish rather than trepidation.
- Basic user interface elements
- Window manipulation
- Window/application navigation
- File management
- Managing applications
- Mouse/keyboard control
1. Basic user interface elements
Each open window has its own menu bar which control aspects of the application's functionality or the window's content. It may require you to press the 'alt' key to activate it if it's hidden.
A menu bar is always in the same place across the top of the screen, which changes into the menus of whichever application is currently selected. The current selected application is indicated as the name of the second menu from the left.
The 'Apple' menu, (top-left corner) also controls some aspects of OS functionality. See below.
The 'taskbar' is primarily a selector for open or minimised windows. It also has a 'quick launch' section for shortcuts to favourite applications.
The 'dock' is similar to a taskbar, but is more multi-function. It shows running and favourite applications together (as opposed to open windows), minimised windows, the trashcan, and shortcuts to other favourite files or folders.
The taskbar also houses access to miscellaneous OS functions via the 'Start' menu on the left and mini-icons on the right.
Access to OS functions are mostly via the top menu bar, in either the 'Apple' menu on the left, or mini-icons on the right.
However, functions located in the Windows taskbar won't be directly analogous to those in OS X's menu bar. Such as, the 'Start' menu's primary function is as an application launcher, which is not directly replicated in the 'Apple' menu. See application management.
2. Window manipulation
Window manipulation buttons are located on the top-right of the window's title bar.
Window manipulation buttons are located on the top-left of the window's title bar. There may be a button on the top-right, but that will be a toolbar/sidebar switch.
The 'close' button (or alt-F4) closes the window, and if it's the last window open for the application that created it, quits the application.
The 
button (or command-W) closes the window. However, it won't necessarily quit the application. An application can continue to run in the background waiting to be told what to do next, without the need for a associated window to be open.
See also application management.
The 'maximise' button switches between window view and maximum screen size view. Alternatively, double-click the title bar.
The 
button switches between two views; the current view, and an alternative view at whatever size the particular application deems most appropriate, i.e. not necessarily maximum screen size. Not every application benefits from being stretched to full size, but if you disagree, you may have to adjust the window size manually.
The 'minimise' button sends the open window down onto the taskbar, effectively hiding it.
The 
button minimises the open window down onto right size of the dock. Alternatively, double-click the title bar.
Alternatively, all windows of a particular application can be hidden at once by selecting 'hide' from the application's menu. Unhide them by re-selecting the application.
A window is resized by dragging the resize handle in the window's bottom-right corner, or any of its four edges.
A window is resized by dragging the resize handle in the window's bottom-right corner. No other window edge can be used for resizing.
A window is moved by grabbing its title bar.
A window can be move by grabbing its title bar or any grey, non-content area within the window.
Scrolling a window is either via the scrollbars to the right and bottom, or with a mouse scrollwheel. However, the appropriate part within the window that needs to be scrolled, needs to be selected first.
Scrolling a window is either via the scrollbars to the right and bottom, with a mouse scrollwheel/ball (if available) or via two-finger scrolling on a laptop touchpad. However, when using a mouse scroll-wheel or touchpad, the mouse pointer only needs to be hovering over the area needing to be scrolled, and doesn't necessarily have to be selected or even be within the frontmost window.
3. Window/application navigation
Pressing alt-tab flips through open/minimised windows.
Pressing command-tab flips though the front-most window of each open application.
If an application has several windows open, you will have to flip between them via the application's 'Window' menu, or Exposé (see below).
Pressing Windows-Tab opens 'Flip 3D' (Vista onwards only) which flips between open windows while showing a basic preview of their content.
Launching 'Exposé' will temporarily shrink all open windows (or just the current application's windows) to a size where they all fit on screen without overlapping, allowing point & click selection.
Access to Exposé can be configured in multiple ways via keyboard, mouse, and touchpad. The default keyboard shortcut will depend on the age of the Macintosh being used. Try either F3 or F9.
Selecting the 'Show desktop' shortcut, minimises all open windows allowing access to files located on the desktop.
Exposé's show desktop option, temporarily brushes aside (i.e. not minimises) all open windows allowing access to files (and volumes) located on the desktop. Select it again, and all windows restore back to their original positions.
4. File management – Explorer vs. Finder
'Windows Explorer' (not to be confused with Internet Explorer) is the main file management tool within Windows.
'Finder' is Mac OS's file management tool. Think of Finder as a permanently running application of which the desktop is its main window. Finder is selected via its icon in the dock, any of its open windows, or by clicking on the desktop. All its functionality will now be available via the top menu bar or contextual menus.
A file is usually opened by double clicking it, or pressing return.
A file is usually opened by double clicking it. However, the keyboard shortcut is command-O. Note pressing return will rename the file (see below).
A file is renamed by clicking its filename, or by selecting 'rename' from a contextual menu.
A file is renamed by clicking its filename, or by pressing return.
Files are deleted by dragging them to the recycling bin on the desktop, selecting 'delete' from a contextual menu, or pressing the 'delete' key.
Files are deleted by dragging them to the trash can in the dock, selecting the 'move to trash' menu option, or pressing command-backspace.
Files are moved by dragging & dropping them. Your source and destination needs to be visible within a Windows Explorer window.
Files are moved by dragging & dropping them. Finder windows do have various view options, including a column view, but a Windows Explorer like hierarchical tree view isn't one of them. As such, for moving between completely different part of the file hierarchy, the source and destination may have to be open in separate windows. However...
Files are copied much like they're moved (above), but while holding down the 'control' key. Also, the clipboard can be utilised, i.e. copy and paste.
Files are copied much like they're moved (above), but while holding down the 'command' key. The clipboard however, is not utilised for file manipulation.
Mounted volumes are accessed via the 'computer' (or 'my computer') section of Windows Explorer.
Mounted volumes (e.g. hard disks, DVDs, USB memory sticks, virtual disk images etc) can be accessed via the Finder's 'computer' window, but also appear more conveniently on the desktop.
5. Application management – Including installing & removing
Applications are primarily launched via the Start menu.
Applications are launched much like you'd open any other file via the Finder. They're stored in the 'Applications' folder. Quick access to this folder can be had from Finder's 'Go' menu (shift-command-A), among various other methods.
Quitting an application is done by clicking the 'close' button of all the application's windows.
Quitting an application is done by selecting 'Quit', either via the application's menu, its dock icon's contextual menu, or the command-Q keyboard shortcut.
Note closing its window(s) via the button, usually doesn't quit the application.
See window manipulation.
Installing applications is usually done via an install wizard. This is necessary because applications will usually come in the form of multiple files which the OS will need placing it specific locations, and entries made into the Windows registry.
Mac applications will usually come in what appears to be a single file or folder. Therefore, installation is done much the same as moving any file, i.e. simply drag it into the 'Applications' folder.
Uninstalling applications is usually done via the 'Programs' control panel. This will (hopefully) safely removing all the ancillary files and (optionally) its registry entries.
Uninstalling applications is usually done much like you'd delete any file, e.g. drag it to the trash!
Preference files the application created may be left behind in the 'Library' folder (basically OS X's equivalent of Windows' registry), but they don't cause any problem or slow downs, and will still be there if you decide to install that application again later.
Not all applications do come in a single file bundle for instance. Some come with more ancillary files that require an installer (and an uninstaller), just like with Windows. Also, applications, particularly ones downloaded from the internet, may come in various archive formats.
The most common archive type, will be a 'DMG' virtual disk image. When opened, Finder will treat this in much the same was as any removable media, in that it can be opened, its content viewed/copied/manipulated, and then ejected. For an application delivered this way, run the DMG file, open the resultant volume, drag the content into the 'Applications' folder, eject the volume, and trash the DMG file.
Of further note is that unlike Windows, OS X applications can be 'installed' or moved anywhere, and they will still run; often even from within their delivery volume.
6. Mouse/keyboard control
The right button on a mouse, will, where appropriate, open a contextual menu.
If a right mouse button is available, a contextual menu will open where appropriate. If it isn't, then a mouse click while holding the 'control' key does the same thing.
Note that an Apple Mighty Mouse, as bundled with desktop Macs, may appear to have only a single button, but it can sense where you press it. Just make sure it's configured to recognise a secondary button in the System Preferences.
The right button on a laptop touchpad, will, where appropriate, open a contextual menu.
A Mac laptop will not have two touchpad (or trackpad) buttons. Therefore, holding down 'control' while clicking the single touchpad button counts as a right-click that opens a contextual menu.
Alternatively, the single touchpad button can be configured (via System preferences) to recognise two finger secondary clicking, i.e. clicking the button while having 2 fingers resting on the touchpad.
Most keyboard shortcuts utilise the 'control' key, e.g. control-X, C, and P for cut, copy and paste. The 'alt' key is a secondary modifier and activates the menu bar.
The primary keyboard shortcut modifier on Macs, is the 'command' (or 
) key, e.g. command-X, C, and P for cut, copy and paste. Items within the menu bar will often have a keyboard shortcut indicated alongside the menu item.
The 'control' key is largely a mouse click modifier – i.e. replicating a right-click (see above) – and the 'option/alt' (or 
) key is a secondary modifier and provides access to extended characters.
The 'fn' key (usually as found on a compact or laptop keyboard), is a modifier key to replicate keys only found on full size keyboards, e.g. fn-backspace replicates the missing 'forward delete' key.
