SBS Technical Services

Tips and Tricks for Macintosh Users

• OS 9.X
  
• OS X
  
• Speed Up Your Mac
  

• General:
  • Holding down the Option key while opening a folder or application will automatically close the window behind it.
  • Holding down the Ctrl key while clicking on an application, folder, hyperlink, etc. is the same as right clicking on a PC. You can also hold down the mouse key for a few seconds for the same actions.
• Startup Shortcut Keys:
  • To rebuild your desktop, restart your computer while holding down the Command (open Apple) and Option keys until you get the message "Are you sure you want to rebuild the desktop file?" Let go, and click OK.
  • To boot without extensions hold down the Shift key during start up.
  • To zap the PRAM hold down the Option-Command-P-R keys all at once during start up.

• Shortcut Keys:
  • Hold down the Command and Option keys, in the Dock, click on the icon of the application you want to view.
  • If you want to unclutter your desktop, hold down the Command and Option keys, click the Finder in the Dock, and you'll see your hard drive window only.
  • To hide current application while opening/viewing a new one, hold down the Option key and click the Dock icon for the application you want to open/ view.(This only works in 10.1)