Utilize Windows 11 Features to My Mac When I transitioned from Windows to Mac, the absence features left me frustrated.
However, after months of experimenting, I discovered several apps that seamlessly filled those gaps. Now my Mac functions exactly as I’d like it to.
Alt-Tab
Rather than using the Dock, I find it more convenient to switch between apps on macOS by pressing Command + Tab, as it allows me to keep my hands on the keyboard. However, if you’re familiar with Windows’ Alt + Tab feature, you might have noticed that Apple’s version is somewhat more limited in comparison.
Firstly, macOS displays only app icons without offering a preview of each app’s activity. Additionally, it can be frustrating that when I have multiple windows open for the same application, I’m unable to select which specific window I want to switch between.
AltTab addresses all these macOS issues by offering an app switcher similar to the one on Windows, but with additional customization features. You can change the size of thumbnails and modify various settings to perfectly match your workflow preferences.
You can also assign a custom shortcut key to activate AltTab. However, my favorite feature is the drag and drop capability for files onto window thumbnails—a minor yet incredibly useful enhancement that has become indispensable in my workflow.
Download: Alt-Tab (No Cost)
Maccy
One of the biggest annoyances with macOS and iOS is that they don’t have a built-in clipboard manager. Luckily, Maccy offers this functionality for your Mac. It’s accessible from the menu bar or by pressing Command + Shift + C to open a pop-up window displaying your recent copy history.
Maccy manages not only text but also files, showing the file paths of copied items. It enables you to pin frequently used pieces for easy access and offers a search function that lets you explore your entire clipboard history by typing in keywords.
Most importantly, Maccy runs completely on-device, meaning it doesn’t transmit any data to third-party servers. This ensures that everything you copy remains securely on your Mac, preserving your privacy.
Download: Maccy (No Cost)
iStat Menus
On Windows, I prefer using Task Manager to keep an eye on essential system metrics such as CPU and GPU usage, RAM consumption, or even the system temperatures. However, if you’re working with a Mac, you can view similar statistics in Activity Monitor; although helpful, it’s not quite as comprehensive.
That’s why I rely on iStat Menus. It provides a comprehensive overview of everything—CPU, GPU, memory, and battery usage—and even displays the temperature for each component.
One aspect I really appreciate about iStat Menus is its ability to display which applications are consuming significant resources, conveniently placing all that information right in the menu bar. It’s ideal for a quick overview without needing to open another application just to monitor my system.
However, I do have one complaint. At times, the app feels somewhat bloated due to additional features like calendar integration and weather information that don’t quite align with its primary function. Although it’s possible to disable these features, I would prefer if they weren’t enabled by default.
Download: iStat Menus ($11.99, with a free trial option)
Ambient Music
For years, Windows has offered the ability to adjust the volume of individual apps, so I’m consistently puzzled when using my Mac and discovering this basic feature is missing. On macOS, you can only control the system’s overall volume, which can be frustrating—especially since I often listen to music while gaming.
That’s where Background Music proves useful. This convenient app enables you to control the volume of each application separately on macOS. You can effortlessly tweak the sound levels for various apps and even manage the balance between your left and right speakers straight from the menu bar.
The app allows you to change your audio output device and also includes an auto-pause feature for your music-streaming service. This means that it will automatically pause the music when it detects sound from another application.
Download: Free Background Music
Crossover
Playing games on a Mac may not match the experience of using Windows, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options if your desired game isn’t available for macOS. A fantastic workaround is Crossovers, which lets you install and enjoy Windows games on your Mac.
The best part is that, unlike using a virtual machine to access Windows, Crossovers fully utilizes your Mac’s hardware. This means there’s no need to allocate some of your system resources specifically for it, resulting in improved overall performance.
Crossovers performs admirably overall, but it’s worth mentioning that game compatibility can be inconsistent. Most single-player games without intrusive DRM tend to run smoothly. On the other hand, multiplayer titles such as Valor ant present a challenge due to their stringent anti-cheat systems that Crossovers cannot circumvent, making them unplayable on your Mac.
Nevertheless, if you mainly enjoy single-player games, Crossovers offers an excellent opportunity to broaden your gaming collection on macOS.
Download: Crossovers for $24 (free trial available)
It’s certainly frustrating to have to install numerous apps just for basic features that Windows PCs have offered for years. Nonetheless, macOS has its own benefits, making it challenging for me to switch back to Windows. Thankfully, these third-party apps let me customize the experience according to my preferences.
