Alt key on Mac is indeed exist. And it’s called Option key.
Alt key on Mac is indeed exist. And it’s called Option key. Windows vs Mac—there are so many differences. A lot of our customers have used a PC before and then decide they want to switch to Mac for better performance, nicer design, or for better security. Command-Tab Plus is an alternative solution to the app switcher that comes integrated into the macOS by default. Instead of displaying icons for all running apps, Command-Tab Plus will show only the ones active in the current workspace. App switcher that is very similar to the built-in Command-Tab solution. MacOS has an app switcher that you can activate with the Command+Tab keyboard shortcut. This app switcher isn’t the most intuitive to use. It seems to only let you select an app as its primary function. If you want to switch to an app, you have to release the Tab key and use the Option key to switch to the most recent window for that app.
Mac Switch Windows Within App
Windows vs Mac—there are so many differences. A lot of our customers have used a PC before and then decide they want to switch to Mac for better performance, nicer design, or for better security. However, they were afraid they would have a hard time getting used to the macOS keyboard. We hear questions like, “How can I close a Window? The Mac keyboard doesn’t have the Alt + F4 shortcut.” We always give them two answers:
1. With Parallels Desktop for Mac you have the choice to use the same keyboard shortcuts you had on your PC.
2. If you want to use the Mac keyboard you will experience that the alt key is very different, as we explain in this blog post.
Where is the Alt key on a Mac keyboard?
The PC-keyboard equivalent of Alt on a Mac is called the Option key, and you’ll find the Option Key on your Mac if you go two keys to the left of the spacebar. However, the option key on a Mac keyboard is used in a different way than the alt key on a Windows PC. In terms of functionality, the alt key in Windows is often more comparable with the Command key than with the Option key on a Mac. You might be also familiar with the Ctrl and Alt keys from your PC. On your Mac keyboard, you have Command (⌘ cmd), Control (ctrl), and Option (⌥ alt) keys.
How do Windows shortcuts change on a Mac?
Check out some equivalents of popular Windows alt shortcuts on a Mac, which might be especially helpful for those users who are new to Mac:
| Windows | Mac | |
| Closing a window | Alt-F4 | Command-W |
| Restarting | Control-Alt-Delete | Control-Command-Eject |
| Shutting down | Control-Alt-Delete | Control-Option-Command-Eject |
| Logging out | Control-Alt-Delete | Shift-Command-Q |
| Switch between open apps | Alt + Tab | Command-tab |
| Go back | Alt + Left arrow | Command + Left arrow |
| Go forward | Alt + Right arrow | Command + Right arrow |
| Move up one screen | Alt + Page Up | Command + Page Up |
| Move down one screen | Alt + Page Down | Command + Page Down |
When running Windows on a Mac with Parallels Desktop, is it possible to use Windows shortcuts on a Mac?
If you run Windows on your Mac with Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can configure your keyboard shortcuts the way you want to work, with either macOS or Windows shortcuts. Click here for more information on how to set the different shortcuts.
Mac Os Keyboard Shortcuts
You can find even more useful Mac shortcuts in the infographic here.
Mac Alt Tab
Missing your Start Menu and familiar Windows look and feel? You can use Parallels Desktop and have Windows 10 along with your favorite Windows apps on your new Mac.