Basic keyboard shortcuts for window management
A good starting point to improve efficiency when using your computer is to know the basic keyboard shortcuts related to window management. These shortcuts are common on Windows and macOS systems, although the exact keys may vary. Here are some useful examples:
- Minimize window: Win + M (Windows) or Command + M (mac OS)
- Maximize window: Win + Up (Windows) or Ctrl + Cmd + F (mac OS)
- Close the window: Alt + F4 (Windows) or Cmd+Q (mac OS)
- Switch between windows: Alt + Tab (Windows) or Cmd+Tab (mac OS)
Remember that these shortcuts may vary depending on the operating system and keyboard settings. Feel free to consult your system's official documentation for a complete list of keyboard shortcuts.
Navigating and adjusting windows on the screen
If you are using a Windows system, the window “fit” function can be a great help to achieve better visualization and organization of your open applications. You can snap windows to the edges of the screen, allowing you to work with multiple windows efficiently. Some tweaking shortcuts for Windows include:
- Fit window to left: Win + Left
- Fit window to right: Win + Right
- Fit window to top right corner: Win + Ctrl + Right + Up
- Fit window to bottom left corner: Win + Ctrl + Left + Down
En MacOS, you can use the “Split View” feature to view two apps in full screen mode, side by side. You can activate the feature by clicking and holding the full screen button (the green button in the upper left corner of a window) and dragging the window to one side of the screen. Next, select the other window to share the screen.
Window management with additional software
While keyboard shortcuts and functions built into the operating system can be useful for window management, sometimes additional tools are necessary to increase the efficiency of window management. There are several applications and utilities that allow you to customize window management according to your preferences, such as:
- Magnet (macOS): This app lets you arrange your windows similar to Windows' window snapping, with customizable keyboard shortcuts and a variety of positioning options.
- AquaSnap (Windows): A tool that enhances Windows' built-in snapping feature, allowing you to snap windows to a custom grid and add transparency to inactive windows.
Be sure to research the available options and try different applications to find the one that best suits your window management needs and preferences.
Creation of virtual workspaces
Another option to improve window management is the use of virtual workspaces, which allow you to organize your applications and windows in different virtual "desktops". Both Windows and macOS offer this feature natively.
En Windows 10, you can manage your virtual desktops using the “Task View” function, which you can access with the keyboard shortcut Win + Tab or by clicking the “Task View” button on the taskbar. From there, you can create new virtual desktops and move windows between them.
En MacOS, you can use the spaces" and "Mission Control" to manage your virtual desktops. You can access "Mission Control" by pressing F3 or by swiping up with three or four fingers on the trackpad (depending on your settings). Add new “Spaces” by clicking the “+” symbol at the top right and dragging windows between them.
Keyboard shortcut customization
Some of the keyboard shortcuts mentioned above may not be to your liking or you may have identified other actions that you perform frequently and would like to create custom shortcuts for them. Both Windows and macOS allow customization of keyboard shortcuts, although the process may be different.
En Windows, you can change some of the default keyboard shortcuts through the “Keyboard Shortcut Manager,” which in many cases is located in “Control Panel > Ease of Access Center > Make the Keyboard Easier to Use.” However, this feature has its limitations and you may need to resort to third-party software or dig deeper into your system settings to change other shortcuts.
En MacOS, customizing keyboard shortcuts is found in “System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.” From there, you can modify existing shortcuts or create new ones for a large number of actions within the system and for specific applications.
Experiment with customizing your keyboard shortcuts to improve your workflow and make window management as efficient as possible.
