What is the command key Windows counterpart of the Mac keyboard command key? That's one of the first questions you'll have if you switch from a Mac to a Windows PC or the other way around. Or if you're working with one of these operating systems in conjunction with a keyboard that was designed for the other.
Whether you are working on a Mac computer running a Microsoft Windows operating system or you are dealing with a Mac OS operating system and a Windows keyboard, you'll notice that both systems have certain 'special' keys to perform certain tasks. But they are not entirely the same.
When working on your 'normal' keyboard, you can copy-paste like there's no tomorrow, while on the 'other' keyboard you're just not getting anywhere.
So here's a quick guide.
Command Key Windows Shortcuts
- Jan 17, 2017 As noted above, the Alt key is the same as the Option key on the Mac, while the Windows key is the same as the Command key. The problem is that on a Windows keyboard, these two keys are swapped in respect to their normal placement on the Mac keyboard. Since their functions are identical, you could just get used to their locations on the Windows.
- A Mac User's Guide to Windows 10 Keyboard Shortcuts. But you're trading in the Command button for the Windows Key and the Option key for the Alt key. Here's a list of the Windows.
- You can switch between windows on your Mac with a few quick keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts can save you time and keep your workflow orderly. Hitting the F3 button at the top of your Mac's.
If you're a long-time Mac user transitioning to a Windows keyboard, the Windows key, which is equivalent to the Mac's Command key, may occupy the physical position of the Option key on a Mac keyboard. Likewise, the Windows keyboard's Alt key is where you expect to find the Mac's Command key. The Command button on a Mac keyboard is used for the save and print functions in most apps, opening a new tab or window in most web browsers, and quitting apps, along with a huge range of other.
The Apple command key ..
.. allows you to quicly perform certain tasks such as
- Command key + c = copy
- Command key + x = cut
- Command key + v = paste
- Etc
The Windows (command) key counterpart has the little Windows logo on it and looks like this ..
Or on a newer keyboard you will encounter a facelifted logo which looks more like this.
With that out of the way, let's take a look at the command key Windows counterparts of the Mac. It's good to know that the Windows combinations for command + c, command + x and command + v are NOT the Windows logo key + c etc but CTRL + c, CTRL + x and CTRL + v.
CTRL means the control key, which sits directly to the left of the Windows command key on your keyboard.
So to perform your day-to-day copy-paste commands, use the CTRL key in conjunction with the familiar letters on your keyboard, rather than the Windows logo key.
What About The Other Windows Command Key Combo's?
Yes, your other familiar command key Windows shortcuts will work similarly like the CTRL + c combination. Many Photoshop users for instance will be glad to know that the Windows counterpart of the Mac command + z shortcut (the UNDO command) is CTRL + z in analogy with the other CTRL + letter combinations. Using CTRL + z multiple times in a row will also, just like on a Mac, undo several of your last actions sequentially.
The same holds true for other command key Windows shortcuts like command + a (select all), command + f (find), command + p (print), command + s (save) and so on. These shortcuts can be triggered on a Windows keyboard by using the CTRL + a, CTRL + f, CTRL + p, CTRL + s etcetera.
Special Uses Of The Windows Logo Key
So you're used to working on a Mac and now you found out how to use the CTRL key on your Windows keyboard. You might be sitting there wondering why the Windows world has to make things complicated and why they felt they needed to create yet another 'special' key, namely the Windows key.
I'm not here to join the hundreds of thousands who are arguing that this or that operating system is better or worse, I'm just trying to help those out who are switching from one OS to another.
Adobe premiere pro cs6 for mac download. What you should know about the Windows logo key is that it is mostly also used in combination with a letter key in order to access certain Windows functions. You can also just press the Windows logo key by itself. Depending on the version of Windows that you're using, it will respond a little differently. On Windows 8, with its modern interface and infamous Windows 8 start screen, it will toggle between the Windows 8 start screen and Windows 8 desktop mode.
In previous versions, pressing the Windows logo key will activate the Windows start button menu in the lower-left corner of your screen.
The new Windows 10 has sort of re-introduced the start menu that was missing in Windows 8, so pressing the Windows logo key by itself will also trigger the Windows 10 start button menu.
Using the Windows logo command key in conjunction with other keys on your keyboard will generally give you access to Windows system menus which allow you to configure the operating system itself, rather than performing tasks inside applications like copy-pasting, printing, saving, undoing commands etcetera.
For instance the Windows key + x combination will open up the Quick Access menu, with items such as Device manager, Network connections, Disk management, Control panel and more. These are all more oriented towards manipulating the operating system rather than performing tasks within an application or program.
The Windows key + r combination will open up a 'Run box' where you can type certain commands to carry out system administrative tasks.
Another widely used combo is the Windows key + d, which will immediately take you to the Windows desktop, rather than having to minimize all open windows.
I don't know if you're new to Windows, coming from a Mac platform or if circumstances have forced you to work on a Windows platform, but if you are interested in more Windows usage tips, feel free to sign up for my free newsletter and I'll send you more tips and quick tutorials right in your inbox.
Again, I have no interest in joining the eternal Mac-Windows argument, I just wanted to try and answer a simple keyboard question that many people seem to have when switching from one OS to another. I hope to have made a small contribution in clearing up some of the command key Windows confusion between Mac and Windows platforms.
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Mac Command R Key On Windows Keyboard
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