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Questions to ask when switching from Windows to Mac

Questions to ask when switching from Windows to Mac
Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney

  • Updated:

If you are thinking about switching from a Windows PC to a Mac, you might have a few questions. Here are some common questions people ask before making this big decision.

Why do some people prefer Macs to Windows?

Macs are popular for a number of reasons. For one thing, they are intuitive and easy to use. Mac users swear by Mac keyboard shortcuts and the increased efficiency the Mac interface offers. Other reasons include the high-end materials that go into building Macs; they last for years and hold their value really well. Add to that the decent photo and editing suites that ship with Macs, as well as the end of annoying driver updates, and you start to see why people feel so strongly about their Macs.

Of course, there’s a price to pay for this quality and stability: Macs are generally much more expensive than Windows-based machines.

Will I need antivirus protection on a Mac?

Macs use a Unix-based operating system, which offers a number of built-in security features. On top of this, Apple works hard to implement its own security protocols, so Macs are widely regarded as being much more secure than Windows PCs. Programs like Gatekeeper block all programs that haven’t been digitally approved by Apple from running on a Mac without prior approval from the machine’s administrator. Many Mac users don’t use antivirus, but the prudent users do, and there are a lot of great Antivirus programs available for Mac.

Will I be able to upgrade my Mac?

It is generally easier to upgrade a Windows PC or Laptop than it is a Mac or Macbook. The task is even harder on the latest generation of Macbooks. Apple’s decision to solder the RAM and solid-state hard drives into their newest machines makes it virtually impossible to upgrade your Macbook at home.

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How do I transfer my files from my Windows PC to a Mac?

If your PC has Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or a later version of Windows installed, then the process is simple. All you have to do is download the iCloud Control Panel. Once you’ve logged into the iCloud control panel using the Apple ID you’ll be associating with your new Mac, you’ll be able to sync all your PC files with the iCloud service. These will then sync automatically with your new Mac. Users with older versions of Windows will have to use third party cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Can I right-click on a Mac?

With a distinct lack of buttons on Apple’s mouse and trackpads, you’d be forgiven for wondering about whether the extremely useful right-click is even possible on a Mac. In fact, there are a number of different ways to right-click on a Mac. The first is to hold down CTRL when you click. Another way is to go to System Preferences, then to Trackpad and select Secondary Click. You can now right-click by tapping with two fingers.

How can I recover the system if it crashes?

Ctrl-Alt-Delete is synonymous with rescuing your frozen Windows PC from a stalled application. The problem for Windows users moving to Macs is that the Mac keyboard doesn’t have a delete button. Many Mac users will say that the Ctrl-Alt-Delete function isn’t needed on a Mac because the system is so much more stable than Windows, but sometimes bad things happen on Macs, too. When they do, you need to press Command-Alt-Esc to reboot your machine and get yourself back on track.

Can I use Windows on a Mac?

Some things, like certain printer drivers, just won’t work on Mac OS. Windows 10 is the undisputed king of gaming, too. For these cases, you might be wondering whether you’ll be able to run Windows on your new Mac, and the answer is yes. In fact, some believe that Windows on a Mac is much more stable that it is on Windows PCs. To run Windows on a Mac, you’ll need a virtual machine like Virtual Box.

Are you thinking about changing from a Windows PC to a Mac? Do you have any other questions that you’d like answering before making the switch? Let us know in the comments.

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney

Patrick Devaney is a news reporter for Softonic, keeping readers up to date on everything affecting their favorite apps and programs. His beat includes social media apps and sites like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, YouTube, and Snapchat. Patrick also covers antivirus and security issues, web browsers, the full Google suite of apps and programs, and operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android.

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