To Microsoft ’s eternal embarrassment , the most well - knownWindows shortcutis the one you use when everything ’s go wrong : Control - Alt - Delete . But what about if you ’re using a Mac ? Is there a similar shortcut you could use to close unresponsive apps and lumber out of your computer ?
That ’s what we ’ll address in this guide . We ’ll show you all the agency you may draw drop out apps on a Mac , switch to a different exploiter , opened Apple ’s equivalent of the Task Manager and more . Whether you ’ve just switched from Windows tomacOSor want to learn a few more tricks , our pathfinder should be able to serve .
What does Control-Alt-Delete do?
In Windows , the Control - Alt - Delete shortcut is most often associated with start the Task Manager , which is used to supervise system custom and cheeseparing unresponsive apps . However , the Control - Alt - Delete cutoff actually presents you with four unlike options :
In macOS , there is not one unmarried shortcut that does all of these things at once . There are some shortcuts you may use to bring up one or two of these feature in macOS , but the functionality is a flake more carve up out than in Windows . We ’ll go through how you access each one in macOS below .
How to close unresponsive apps in macOS
commonly , you close an app in macOS by pressing theCommand - Qkeyboard shortcutwhen it is in the foreground , or by rightfulness - clack its icon in the Dock and selectingQuit . However , sometimes an app will freeze or will not close when you enjoin it to . In times like that , you need to force it to throw in the towel .
Step 1 : The good word is that macOS has a shortcut that let you quickly close unresponsive apps . Just pressCommand - choice - Escto bring up the Force Quit Applications menu . As the name intimate , this get you beak from a list of assailable apps , then force them to close by selecting theForce Quitbutton .
whole step 2 : Perhaps the closest comparison to the Windows Task Manager in macOS is to launch the Activity Monitor app . Like the Task Manager , this shows all your open apps and processes , alongside how much of your scheme resource each one is using . you may select an app from the list , then pick theStopbutton at the top ( it look like an X inside an octagon ) to close it .
Step 3 : There are other ways to close apps that are no longer respond . One is to right - click ( or mastery - click ) the app ’s picture in the Dock , hold theOptionbutton on your keyboard , then pickForce Quit(this choice is merely titledQuitif you do n’t entertain theOptionkey ) .
Step 4 : instead , you could select theApple logoin the top - left corner of your filmdom , choose theForce Quitoption , pick out an app from the list , then pickForce Quit .
How to lock your Mac
The Control - Alt - Delete shortcut lets Windows users chop-chop lock their PC . This continue you signed in but requires you to enter your password ( or use biometric certification ) to unlock your PC again .
Step 1 : In macOS , the simplest way to lock your Mac is to take theApple logo , then pickLock Screen .
Step 2 : If you have a compatible Magic Keyboard , you might have aLock Screenbutton ( usually in the top - right corner ) , which you may press to lock away your Mac .
Step 3 : Alternatively , you may do the same affair if your MacBook or Magic Keyboard has a Touch ID push – just press it to engage your Mac ( pressing and hold it for a few indorsement will rather close your computer down ) .
gradation 4 : There ’s another manner to quickly lock your Mac ’s screen and get a chip more utile functionality while you ’re at it : Hot Corners . This macOS feature lets you move your mouse into one of your Mac CRT screen ’s corners to quickly do actions like showing your desktop , starting a covert saver , lock your projection screen , and more .
footmark 5 : To enable Hot Corners , just start the System options app and go toDesktop & Dock > Hot Corners .
Step 6 : Pick one niche ’s pop - up fare and chooseLock Screenfrom the list .
measure 7 : you could contain a modifier key fruit ( likeControlorOption ) so the Hot Corner wo n’t activate unless that key is hold . When you ’re finished , selectDone .
How to switch users or sign out
The final face of Windows ’ Control - Alt - Delete crosscut is wield user business relationship , with control for switch users and sign out . There ’s no crosscut for these in macOS , but you may access them easily enough anyway .
gradation 1 : Signing out is simple : just select theApple logoand pickLog Out [ username ] .
whole tone 2 : To change over users instead , lock your Mac using one of the choice discussed above , then pick out another user score from the Lock Screen and lumber in ( you might have to hover your mouse arrow over your drug user icon before your Mac ’s other user icons appear ) .
Step 3 : There ’s a straightaway way to switch substance abuser , though . start the System configurations app and head toControl Centerin the left over - manus sidebar , then scroll down to theFast User Switchingsection .
stone’s throw 4 : Here , next toShow in Menu Bar , pickFull Name , Account Name , orIconfrom the dropdown menu .
Step 5 : This will place either your name or an icon in the card stripe — choose it , then nibble a exploiter to go to your Mac ’s Lock Screen with the selected user ’s password field already clear .
Incidentally , if you need to free up space , you’re able to alsodelete exploiter from your Mac .
