Bring your stuff across
Apple's free Migration Assistant copies your documents, photos, email accounts and browser bookmarks from a Windows PC to a new Mac over your home network. Install Windows Migration Assistant on the PC, open Migration Assistant on the Mac, and follow the steps. Leave it running — a big photo library can take a few hours.
The keyboard differences
- Cmd (⌘) does most of what Ctrl does on Windows: Cmd+C, Cmd+V, Cmd+Z, Cmd+S.
- Cmd + Space opens Spotlight — the fastest way to open any app or file.
- Cmd + Tab switches apps; Cmd + Q actually quits one (the red button just closes the window).
- Cmd + Delete moves a file to the Bin; Cmd + Shift + 4 takes a screenshot of part of the screen.
Finding your way around
- Finder is File Explorer. Your files live in Documents, Desktop and Downloads, just as before.
- Right-click is a two-finger tap on the trackpad.
- System Settings (Apple menu, top left) is the Control Panel.
Quick win Turn on Tap to click in System Settings → Trackpad. It makes a MacBook feel much more responsive.
Your apps
- Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook) has full Mac versions — sign in with your existing account.
- Most other apps you use are web-based or have a Mac version; the few that don't can often be replaced with a Mac equivalent.
- Your iPhone gets better too: messages, photos and calls all appear on the Mac.
