Master your Mac: Keyboard shortcuts to maintain momentum

For most people, using a mouse to navigate their Mac is second nature. But when you’re focused on a task, breaking your flow to reach for the mouse can disrupt your momentum. That’s where keyboard shortcuts come in handy. Whether you need to manage multiple apps, declutter your desktop, or navigate a dozen windows, these Mac device shortcuts will help you get it all done faster.

For your convenience, we’ve organized the shortcuts into clear categories based on their function.

Organize your workspace

Too many open windows can slow down both your system and your brain. Fortunately, there are shortcuts that can instantly clear the clutter so you can concentrate on higher-priority tasks:

• Minimize current window: Command + M

• Tuck the active window into the Dock without closing it.

• Minimize all windows from the same app: Option + Command + M

• Clear your view when juggling multiple files or browser tabs.

Close without quitting everything

Sometimes, you only want to reduce the number of open windows or tabs without fully closing an app. The shortcuts below allow you to stay organized without losing your place or restarting the app:

• Close active window/tab: Command + W

• Use this when you’re finished with an active window or tab but want to keep the app open for other tasks.

• Close all windows (keep app open): Option + Command + W

• Use this when you’re done reviewing documents or browsing but still need the app open for later.

Force an app to shut down

Apps can freeze, causing frustration, or run in the background, slowing down your Mac’s performance. These shortcuts allow you to regain control over unresponsive apps:

• Quit an app completely: Command + Q

• Unlike clicking the red X in the corner of a window, this method is guaranteed to completely close an app.

• Force quit unresponsive apps: Option + Command + Escape

• Open a Window’s Task Manager-style menu to shut down frozen software.

• Instantly force quit the front app: Command + Shift + Option + Escape

• Shut down the currently active app immediately.

Hide what you don’t need

If you need to quickly hide sensitive data or simply declutter your screen without closing anything, this shortcut is handy:

• Hide the current app: Command + H

• Clear your screen without closing your work.

Jump to key folders instantly

Save time navigating through Finder. These shortcuts take you straight to the folders you use most often:

• Applications folder: Command + Shift + A

• Utilities folder: Command + Shift + U

• Desktop: Command + Shift + D

• Home folder: Command + Shift + H

• iCloud Drive: Command + Shift + I

Computer shutdown

If you’re in a rush or just want to power off without extra clicks, this shortcut handles it all at once:

• Full system shutdown: Control + Option + Command + Power or Control + Option + Command + Media Eject

• Either command closes apps, ends sessions, and powers down your Mac.

Screenshot capture

Screenshots are not only helpful for tech support, but also great for sharing ideas, keeping a visual record, or logging important information. Mac makes it easy to capture exactly what you need with the following commands:

• Full screen: Command + Shift + 3

• Take a snapshot of your entire screen.

• Selected area: Command + Shift + 4

• Transform your cursor into crosshairs that allow you to select specific areas on your screen.

• Specific window: Command + Shift + 4, then press Spacebar

• Take a screenshot of your current window (e.g., browser, Notes app, etc.) without altering its size.

Other shortcuts for daily use

These underrated keyboard combos streamline everyday Mac tasks:

• Open Spotlight Search: Command + Spacebar

• Quickly find apps, files, or even perform simple calculations.

• Hide/Show the Dock: Command + Option + D

• Maximize your workspace by hiding the Dock bar.

• Cycle browser tabs (Safari): Command + Shift + [ or ]

• Quickly switch between open tabs.

• Switch between open apps: Command + Tab

• Bounce between open programs as if flipping through pages in a book.

• View all browser tabs (Safari): Command + Shift

• Display all open tabs in a grid for quick navigation.

• Open app settings: Command + ,

• Access a menu to customize how your apps behave.

• Reopen closed browser tab: Command + Shift + T

• Restore a tab you accidentally closed.

By mastering these keyboard shortcuts, you’ll save valuable seconds throughout the workday — and that time adds up. Whether you’re using a MacBook, iMac, or Mac Studio, these quick key combos allow you to focus on what you’re doing, not how to do it.

For more tips and insights about your Mac, consult with our experts.