Windows vs macOS: A Comprehensive Comparison of Key Features

Having spent over a decade using both Windows and macOS, I've gained a good understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Today, let's dive deep into basic features of these operating systems to see what you might be giving up when switching from Windows to Mac or vice versa.

File Management

File Explorer vs Finder Starting with file management, Windows users are familiar with File Explorer, while macOS users rely on Finder. Both have their pros and cons:

• Finder: Apple has designed Finder to be clean and straightforward. You can pin frequently used folders in the Favorites sidebar, and there's a toolbar with viewing and sorting options, a share menu, and a search feature. However, more advanced features like multiple tabs, a path bar, and file size/storage info need to be manually enabled.
• File Explorer: Out of the box, File Explorer feels more powerful with built-in features like multiple tabs, a path bar, and detailed file size and storage info. It also displays real-time transfer speeds when copying files, something macOS lacks, offering only a basic progress bar.

The right-click menu in Finder includes Quick Actions, allowing you to merge documents into a PDF, convert picture file types, compress files, and even remove image backgrounds with a single click. Finder’s Quick Look feature is another advantage, enabling instant previews of documents by hitting the Space Bar.

Search Capabilities

Spotlight Search vs Windows Search Both operating systems offer robust search features, but Spotlight Search on macOS tends to be quicker and more efficient due to its offline functionality and tight integration with macOS apps. For instance, you can describe an image and get matching pictures from your photo library, track airplanes, or find contacts and directly message, email, or call them – capabilities that Windows Search lacks.

Window Management and Multitasking

Closing Windows and Quitting Apps On macOS, closing a window doesn’t quit the app, allowing you to reopen it from the menu bar. To quit an app completely, you need to select Quit from the menu bar or use the Command + Q shortcut. On Windows, closing the last window of an app typically quits it.

Maximizing Windows The green button on Mac maximizes a window to full screen, focusing on a distraction-free workspace. However, many users find this limiting as it hides other open windows. You can hold down Option and double-click any corner to maximize a window the Windows way.

Window Snapping and Task Switching Windows has supported window snapping since Windows 7, allowing you to easily arrange windows side by side. macOS lacks this native feature, although you can move a window to the left or right side of the screen by Option-right-clicking the green button. For task switching, Windows’ Alt-Tab lets you toggle between all open windows, while macOS’ Command-Tab only switches between apps. Mission Control (F3) on macOS and Task View on Windows provide overviews of all open windows.

Stage Manager on macOS Stage Manager on macOS is a unique multitasking feature, displaying window previews on one side and your active window in the center. This helps maintain a clean desktop while keeping everything accessible.

Application Support

App Availability Windows supports a broader range of applications, which is beneficial for specific tasks like engineering and gaming. Both operating systems handle light office work well, with support for Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. macOS offers additional free apps like Numbers, Pages, and Keynote. For photo editing, macOS often has an edge due to its color-accurate displays and a free professional-grade editing app.

Installing and Uninstalling Apps Installing apps on Windows is straightforward: download the .exe file and follow the installation steps. On macOS, apps often come as disk images that you copy to the Applications folder. Uninstalling apps on Windows is done through the Settings app, while on macOS, you usually drag the app to the Trash.

Everyday Features

Text Deletion and File Movement Windows allows forward-deleting text with the Delete key, while macOS requires pressing Function + Backspace. Moving files on Windows is as simple as using Control + X and Control + V. On macOS, you need to use Command + C and then Option + Command + V to move files.

Clipboard History and Screenshots Windows has a clipboard history feature that can pin frequently used text snippets, whereas macOS does not. macOS offers a versatile screenshot toolbar (Command + Shift + 5), while Windows’ Snipping Tool includes a freeform screenshot option.

Force Quitting Apps Both operating systems provide methods for force quitting unresponsive apps: Windows uses Control + Shift + Escape for Task Manager, and macOS uses Command + Option + Escape or right-clicking the app in the Dock.

Storage Management Both operating systems offer storage management tools, but macOS provides more detailed options, allowing you to remove apps and files sorted by size or date last used directly from Settings.

Backup and Voice Assistants

Backup Solutions Windows 11 offers built-in backup to OneDrive, while macOS has the native Time Machine feature. Time Machine is particularly user-friendly, allowing you to set up external drives for automatic backups and easily restore files from any given day.

Voice Assistants macOS comes with Siri for voice commands, while Windows 11 lacks a built-in voice assistant, offering Voice Access as an accessibility feature.

Customization

Customization Options Both operating systems offer dark mode and accent color customization. Windows allows complete color themes, while macOS focuses on a more streamlined appearance. The Dock on macOS and the Task Bar on Windows can be personalized, but Windows’ Start Menu is more versatile. Launchpad on macOS is limited to showing apps and creating folders, while Windows supports desktop widgets.

Third-party apps offer extensive customization options on Windows, including interactive wallpapers and the ability to make Windows look like macOS. Similar apps for macOS are less common and usually less versatile.

Conclusion

In summary, both Windows and macOS have their unique strengths and weaknesses. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. Windows excels in app support, file management features, and customization, while macOS offers a more integrated and streamlined experience with powerful features like Quick Look, Stage Manager, and Time Machine. Whatever you choose, both operating systems have come a long way and offer robust solutions for everyday computing tasks.