9 things I wish macOS took from Windows — and 8 things it does better

I have been utilizing the

M4 Mac Mini
for just a little over a month, and to be fairly frank, I’ve liked it for probably the most half. I imply, that a lot was most likely apparent from my overview, however as I’ve gotten extra accustomed to how issues work on macOS, there are some things that I really desire right here in comparison with Home windows, regardless of utilizing Microsoft’s OS all my life.

On the flip facet, there are undoubtedly issues I nonetheless desire in Home windows in comparison with the conduct on macOS. So I needed to check out the numerous issues I consider every working system may be taught from the opposite. THere’s really numerous forwards and backwards right here, and I’ve about 16 issues to go over. Let’s get began with issues I want macOS took from Windows 11.

17

Window administration

It is so needlessly sophisticated

First off, considered one of my largest issues in Home windows is managing my open apps and home windows, and that is an issue on a number of fronts. First, managing open home windows could be very restricted since all you are able to do is maximize them, snap them to half the display screen, or manually resize them. It is just a little too restricted, and when Home windows has the way more superior

Snap layouts
function, I’ve to want that will come over to macOS. Higher but, some PowerToys-like implementation could be superb. Because it stands, I am utilizing a device known as MacsyZones to do the identical factor, although it is a bit buggy at instances.

However then there’s the truth that open home windows aren’t proven on the dock (you may make minimized home windows seem there, however that is not sufficient), and as an alternative solely app icons seem there. To open a particular window from an app, you’ll want to right-click it first. What’s extra, utilizing Command + Tab does the identical factor — it would not cycle by your home windows, it cycles by your apps. It is simply far more sophisticated than it ought to ever be to get to the window I need.

Fortunately, this too has an answer with the AltTab app, which is not excellent, however does the job nicely sufficient for me.

16

Uninstalling apps

It is fairly bizarre

One other factor I do not actually like about macOS is how uninstalling apps works (or would not work), and to some extent the identical might be stated for putting in them. I do not like how DMG information simply have you ever drag the app icon into the Functions folder, particularly when there is no clear indication that you just’re imagined to do it. It is horrible for a brand new person.

However uninstalling apps is the actual drawback right here. You may uninstall an app from the Launchpad, however provided that it was put in by the App Retailer. Apps put in from the web do not present an uninstall button right here, and there is probably not a spot the place you possibly can simply click on Uninstall. You are simply imagined to open Finder, go into the Functions folder, and choose Transfer to Trash on the app you need to take away.

The issue is that this feels prefer it lacks transparency with regard to what’s really being carried out. Many information from uninstalled apps might be left over in your system, and generally issues like startup gadgets can nonetheless seem within the Settings app, too. It simply would not really feel like I am really uninstalling an app on macOS.

15

Picture cropping

The one flaw in Apple’s picture modifying instruments

For probably the most half, I believe Apple’s picture modifying instruments are phenomenal and much better than what Microsoft gives on Home windows. There’s only one exception right here, and that is the power to crop the picture. Home windows is not excellent there, both, since you employ the Images app to crop and Snipping Software to annotate, but it surely’s much more cumbersome on macOS.

Preview lacks the power to crop a picture to a particular facet ratio, and whereas you should utilize the Images app for this, the Images app would not simply allow you to entry all the pictures in your PC. You must import them into Images and sync them with iCloud, and pictures in Images aren’t synced with the unique file you imported. I simply want Apple would let me crop my screenshots to a particular facet ratio with out all this fuss, however for now, I’ve to make use of a third-party app known as Diffraction.

Associated

4 things Snipping Tool on Windows 11 needs to improve right now

A few of these actually should not be an issue to start with

14

File administration

macOS may make issues simpler

A part of my complaints with file administration on macOS ties into the shortcoming to uninstall apps in the way in which you’d anticipate. All you actually do is transfer an app from the Functions folder to the trash, however you then should seek out leftover information, and Apple tries to cover these information from sight. The Library folder would not seem as a vacation spot within the Finder menu until you are holding down the Possibility key whereas utilizing the Go menu, and that is the place numerous these app information are saved.

However a couple of different issues might be irritating when managing information on macOS. Highlighting a folder with the keyboard and urgent Enter edits its title, somewhat than opening the folder. You may’t lower gadgets with Ctrl + X (or Command + X) like you possibly can on Home windows. And total, some issues just like the Motion pictures folder are hidden from most menus for no actual cause once they may tremendously assist retailer information in the precise place.

It feels prefer it’s made for a cellphone

It is no secret that I desire launching my apps utilizing the keyboard lately, however for the events the place I do need to use my mouse, macOS is just a little too bizarre for my liking. The Launchpad (Apple’s equal to the Begin menu) solely opens in full display screen, with an excellent chunk of empty area on the perimeters and between every icon, significantly on ultrawide screens.

This feels unnecessarily intrusive because it takes over the complete display screen and the contents are so unfold out. it feels extra like an iPhone interface expanded to a a lot larger display screen the place it would not make sense. I want Apple would construct a smaller flyout menu that does not disguise all my open apps and presents the content material in a extra compact method. The Home windows 11 Begin menu is probably not excellent, but it surely’s so much higher than this implementation.

Associated

Ranking all the Windows Start menus, from worst to best

The Begin menu has developed (and devolved) fairly a variety of instances since its debut on Home windows 95

12

Ease up on the permissions

Does it should be this controlling?

One factor that I discover extraordinarily odd about macOS is how a lot it wants the person to verify every thing they need to do on their machine. Easy actions like putting in a free app from the App Retailer require your Apple ID password. Putting in OS updates requires your native person password (which might be totally different), and so forth.

Then there’s the truth that each app must ask permission to share your display screen and that permission is revoked robotically after a few month, so it forces you to simply accept it once more. You additionally must restart apps after giving them permission to seize your display screen, which simply makes issues take unnecessarily lengthy to get going, particularly should you’re in a gathering or one thing.

The menu bar is among the most iconic components of macOS design, and in some ways I do prefer it. Nevertheless it turns into an actual ache when the menu bar is used for just about each app’s personal menus, which wastes numerous my time. For a MacBook, this is probably not as large of a deal, however I’ve a 49-inch 32:9 monitor, which suggests I’ve numerous area for home windows, and shifting my mouse to the higher left nook of the display screen each time is time-consuming.

I believe the Home windows strategy of getting the menu for every app above the app itself makes much more sense and will get issues carried out quicker.

10

Clipboard historical past

It is so helpful

When Microsoft added a clipboard historical past to Home windows 10, it immediately grew to become one of the vital helpful options for me, with the ability to quicky entry a chunk of textual content I copied beforehand with out fear. So it was baffling to me that macOS nonetheless lacks something of this sort. It’s totally straightforward to by chance copy one thing and overwrite no matter is presently within the clipboard.

Once I wrote my weekly report for XDA, I usually want to repeat the hyperlinks and titles of stories items, and it is a lot simpler to try this all on the identical tab earlier than switching again to the e-mail I am writing. Clipboard historical past lets me do this simply, and never having it on macOS undoubtedly wastes a few of my time.

Fortunately, I have been utilizing an app known as Pasty to repair this, and actually I want Apple would combine the performance precisely as it’s right here, as I even desire it to the Home windows 11 clipboard.

9

Smaller updates

It is form of ridiculous

This wasn’t one thing I had deliberate to jot down about, however simply as I used to be writing this text, a serious replace to macOS Sequoia 15.2 appeared on my Mac Mini, and after I began the obtain, I observed it was an enormous 15.25GB package deal. It took near an hour to obtain, which is frankly ridiculous.

Microsoft makes this so much simpler on Home windows. Safety updates have been getting smaller, and even full function updates like Home windows 11 model 24H2 are often underneath 6GB to obtain in full. It looks as if Apple updates obtain a full system picture with little or no compression, and it is not an excellent expertise.

That is numerous issues macOS may stand to be taught from Home windows, however should you assume Microsoft comes out on high right here, assume once more. There are additionally numerous issues that macOS does which might be so much higher in my view, so right here are some things Microsoft ought to copy from Apple.

8

The smaller standing bar

macOS simply feels proper

One factor I’ve actually grown keen on on macOS is the way in which all types of standing data is displayed on the high of the display screen. The menu bar additionally homes icons for all of your apps operating within the backgrund, along with issues like quantity and brightness sliders, Siri, and the present time.

This standing bar on macOS is tiny, however I adore it because of this. It is a utterly efficient method to present me all the knowledge I would like and it would not really feel invasive in any respect. It saves numerous display screen actual property for the issues I am actively doing, and I believe it feels a bit extra pure than the Home windows taskbar. Plus, it has a a lot nicer transparency impact in comparison with Microsoft’s Mica materials.

7

Usually much less intrusive conduct

Apple is not as pushy

One factor I consider nearly each Home windows person can agree on is that Microsoft has grow to be more and more aggressive in making an attempt to shove issues down person’s throats. The setup expertise alone on Home windows 11 is so irritating as you not solely have to decide on issues like language and area, plus sign up with a Microsoft account, however you are additionally requested to allow all types of issues. You are prompted to allow advisable browser settings so Edge is your default, you are requested to check out Recreation Go, you are provided Microsoft 365, it’s a must to select what sort of use the PC can have, and you may hyperlink your cellphone. And what’s extra, skipping a few of these steps will lead to Microsoft displaying you thesetup display screen once more a couple of days later to attempt to get you to do it.

And when you’re on the desktop, it would not actually cease. Loads of promoted apps within the Begin menu, OneDrive folder backups populate your desktop with ineffective icons, and lots of smaller issues always really feel like Microsoft is making an attempt to upsell you on one thing.

macOS might promote a few of its options throughout setup and after updates, but it surely’s a lot much less intrusive. And if you flip one thing down, it is gone, you needn’t fear about it once more. Microsoft acts like you do not know what you need, and it will get tiring.

6

Assist for a number of webcam streams

Microsoft is lastly doing it

All my life, I’ve lived with the notion that when an app is utilizing my webcam, no different app can use it on the similar time. I even bear in mind utilizing some software program to work round this a couple of years again. It has been so ingrained in my reminiscence that a few weeks in the past, I did not notice I had really been utilizing my webcam for a gathering whereas additionally being in a hangout group. It was then that it hit me that this was solely a silly Home windows limitation, and macOS has no such issues.

To present credit score to Microsoft, although, a minimum of the corporate is lastly making it attainable for a number of apps to make use of your webcam directly, which is completed bybasically making a digital webcam, identical to third-party software program does. Nevertheless, it is nonetheless an optionally available function it’s a must to allow, whereas on macOS, you do not even have to consider it. It simply works. I think about Microsoft will most likely repair this in some unspecified time in the future.

5

Higher bulk file renaming

Did you even realize it was attainable in Home windows?

Just lately, I’ve discovered that many individuals do not even know which you could rename a number of information directly on Home windows 11, and I am unable to actually blame them. Renaming a number of information is form of unusual because the edit field simply seems underneath one of many information you chose, and there is not a lot management over how renaming works.

macOS wins once more right here as a result of it really has a correct file renaming device with a couple of choices to select from. You may create a completely new title, add textual content to the prevailing title, or simply changing half of the present title. After which you possibly can select so as to add a date or a quantity counter to make every file have a distinct title. It is an excellent answer that ensures nearly nobody will want a third-party device, and Microsoft would do proper to imitate Apple right here.

macOS is much more competent

Modifying screenshots is one thing I’ve to do so much for work, significantly on the subject of writing guides and tutorials. Each Home windows and macOS provide instruments for this, however annotating pictures on Home windows is form of nerve-racking as a result of should you’re drawing an arrow or rectangle, you’ll want to get it proper the primary time. You may’t resize or transfer a drawn form in Snipping Software, so chances are you’ll find yourself having to retry time and again till it is carried out proper.

macOS makes issues a breeze as a result of any form you add to a picture might be moved and resized to fit your particular wants, and it really works completely. The Preview app even helps you align totally different components so all of it appears to be like excellent.

And on that observe, Apple’s sensible options are additionally a bit extra accessible. If you wish to seize textual content from a screenshot on Home windows, you’ll want to allow textual content recognition and wait a couple of seconds for the picture to be scanned. On macOS, simply open the picture in Preview, and you may merely choose textual content straight away.

3

A local video editor

Clipchamp remains to be an internet app

Home windows went with out a correct video editor for years till Microsoft lastly acquired Clipchamp in 2021. This was an excellent transfer, however Clipchamp remains to be a web-based app all these years later. It isn’t a foul app, actually, however each different main platform is aware of that to supply a very flagship expertise, you desire a native app.

Apple has included iMovie with macOS for a very long time, and whereas it is not knowledgeable video editor, it really works very nicely for fundamental use, and it advantages from that native UI design and efficiency that Clipchamp cannot leverage in fairly the identical method.

Microsoft not too long ago made Copilot a local app, and it is baffling to me that Copilot takes priority over a video editor on the subject of getting a local app.

2

Superior noise elimination

I solely need to edit video on macOS now

Along with my work on XDA, I run a really informal YouTube channel the place I speak about gaming, and previous to getting the Mac Mini, I would edit my movies on Home windows with a discrete GPU. However after I tried modifying on Mac, I found a function that has principally made this machine important to me.

That function is a particular “sound isolation” filter that seems in DaVinci Resolve solely on macOS, and this does a particularly good job of filtering out background noise and echo from my recording surroundings, which is much from optimum. As soon as I began utilizing the filter, the distinction in audio high quality was very obvious, and it labored much better than the noise discount and elimination filters in one thing like OBS, which tousled numerous my phrases ceaselessly. Even Nvidia’s RTX Broadcast app precipitated a bunch of points.

I do know Home windows PCs have some type of noise cancellation, but it surely’s nowhere close to pretty much as good, and you may’t simply use it in a video modifying device like you possibly can on macOS. This might be principally a necessity at this level to get me to maneuver away from macOS, a minimum of till I’ve higher {hardware} to file extra professionally.

1

Sooner search

Highlight handily beats Home windows Search

I’ve talked about a couple of instances that I would a lot somewhat open apps utilizing my keyboard than my mouse, and after switching to macOS, it is grow to be clear that Apple is so a lot better at it than Microsoft. Home windows Search is solely not good, it generally takes a second to answer your newest enter, and as a rule, you may most likely find yourself performing an internet search (which forces you to go to Bing and Edge) as an alternative of opening the app you need.

Highlight on macOS is so mch extra optimized to open your apps. The total record of outcomes might take a few seconds to point out up, however your high suggestion is offered immediately and it’s miles extra correct, so you possibly can simply press Enter and go. It really works so much like Movement Launcher on Home windows, however that is a third-party device that Microsoft would not provide out of the field.

And whereas we’re at it, if you do need to carry out an internet search with Highlight, it simply opens your default browser. No bizarre shenanigans making an attempt to drive you to make use of Safari like Microsoft does with Edge.

No working system is ideal

The principle takeaway right here is that it doesn’t matter what facet you are on, there are at all times issues that could possibly be improved. Home windows followers ought to be capable to acknowledge its flaws, and macOS customers must know it is not excellent, both. Personally, I’ve discovered myself much less irritated with macOS than Home windows these days, however there are good causes to select both facet. The place do you stand?