Having spent over a decade using both Windows and macOS, I’ve seen the strengths and quirks of each. If you’re considering switching from one operating system to the other, here’s a detailed breakdown of 41 essential features, so you know exactly what you’re gaining—or giving up.
File Management: Finder vs. File Explorer
On macOS, Finder takes the lead in file management. It’s designed with a clean interface by default, featuring:
- A Favorites sidebar for quick access to folders.
- A Toolbar with viewing, sorting, sharing, and searching options.
Windows File Explorer, however, is like Finder on steroids. Right out of the box, it offers:
- Multiple tabs.
- A detailed path bar.
- Real-time file transfer speeds.
- Storage and file size information.
To customize Finder with similar features, you’ll need to dive into the View menu to enable options like tabs, a path bar, and a status bar.
Key Advantage of Finder:
Finder’s Quick Actions make file management easier. For instance:
- Merge documents into a single PDF.
- Convert picture file types.
- Compress files.
- Remove backgrounds from images with one click.
Plus, the Quick Look feature on macOS previews documents instantly with a tap of the spacebar. From copying text to trimming videos, it’s a feature that Windows still lacks.
Search Features: Spotlight vs. Windows Search
Both operating systems have robust search features, but Spotlight on macOS tends to outperform Windows Search in certain areas.
Spotlight Search Advantages:
- Works offline for faster results.
- Integrates deeply with macOS apps, allowing you to:
- Describe an image to find matching photos.
- Track flights.
- Message, email, or call a contact directly.
Windows Search relies heavily on web results, making it less efficient for offline searches but still functional for finding files, launching apps, and performing calculations.
Window Management and Multitasking
This is where the differences become more apparent.
On Windows:
- Closing a window quits the app entirely.
- Window snapping has been around since Windows 7 (2009), allowing you to organize windows with ease.
- The Alt-Tab shortcut quickly switches between specific windows.
On macOS:
- Closing a window doesn’t quit the app—you’ll need to use Command + Q or the menu bar to quit.
- The green maximize button puts the window into fullscreen mode, which can feel restrictive as it hides the desktop.
- Window snapping is missing natively, although you can position windows by using the Option + Right-click menu.
macOS Unique Feature:
Stage Manager, introduced in macOS, lines up window previews on one side, letting you focus on one or two windows at a time while keeping the desktop clean.
App Compatibility and Installation
Windows supports a wider variety of apps, which makes sense given its market share. However, both systems handle popular office apps like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint seamlessly.
Installing Apps:
- On Windows: Download a
.exefile, follow installation steps, and you’re good to go. - On macOS: Download a disk image, copy the software to your Applications folder, and eject the disk image.
Uninstalling apps is simpler on Windows via the Settings, whereas macOS often requires dragging the app to the Trash or using an app-specific uninstaller.
Daily Productivity Features
Windows and macOS differ significantly in small everyday conveniences:
Windows:
- Forward delete with a single key.
- Clipboard history for quick access to frequently used text.
macOS:
- Screenshots and screen recordings are easier with the Command + Shift + 5 toolbar.
- Buggy apps can be force-quit via the Dock or the Command + Option + Escape shortcut.
Backup Solutions: Time Machine vs. OneDrive
Apple’s Time Machine simplifies backups:
- Automatically backs up your entire disk to an external drive.
- Lets you browse backups with a timeline interface and restore deleted files effortlessly.
Windows offers built-in backup to OneDrive, saving files, apps, and settings. However, external drive backups aren’t as seamless as on macOS.
Customization Options
Both systems offer Dark Mode and accent color customization. However, Windows takes personalization further with:
- Complete color themes.
- Additional options for customizing the Taskbar and Start Menu.
On macOS, the Dock can be personalized to some extent, but the system’s overall design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and consistency.
Conclusion
Choosing between Windows and macOS ultimately depends on your priorities. Windows excels in app compatibility, multitasking, and file management, while macOS offers a refined, user-friendly experience with features like Spotlight, Quick Look, and Time Machine.
Switching from one to the other involves trade-offs, but understanding these differences will help you make an informed decision.
Tags: Windows vs Mac comparison, macOS vs Windows features, file management differences, Windows Spotlight, macOS Finder, app compatibility Mac and Windows, multitasking features Mac Windows, macOS customization, Windows backup OneDrive, macOS Time Machine
Hashtags: #WindowsvsMac #macOSvsWindows #FileManagement #Finder #FileExplorer #SpotlightSearch #WindowManagement #AppCompatibility #TimeMachine #OneDrive
