Mac vs. Windows Keyboard: What’s Different?

Not dramatic, but a little confusing

While the Mac and Windows keyboards both follow the QWERTY key layout, they are quite different in other ways. These differences can make switching from one to the other quite challenging.

In this article, we’ll discuss the difference between the Mac vs Windows keyboard layouts.

Windows vs Mac Keyboards: The Main Differences

The major differences between Windows and Mac keyboards are the special keys found on either side of the spacebar. These keys are used for keyboard shortcuts which provide a way to perform certain functions by pressing multiple keys at once. For example, on Windows, pressing theCtrl,Alt, andEsckeys together opens up the Task Manager.

Below, we’ll list these differences, explain what each key does on either operating system, and provide screenshots to show you what we’re talking about.

The Control key (Mac) and Ctrl key (Windows) are very similar in function. On Microsoft keyboards, the Ctrl key is used for keyboard shortcuts such asCtrl+Alt+Esc.

On Apple keyboards, the Control key is a modifier key used in keyboard shortcuts. One of the main things it does is open a right-click context menu when you hold it down at the same time as you left-click your mouse.

A key difference with Mac keyboards is the Command key (⌘), also known as the “pretzel key”, “clover key”, or “Apple key”. This is the true equivalent of the Windows Ctrl key, even though it shares a different name.

In fact, many Apple shortcuts are identical to Windows shortcuts with just the Command and Ctrl keys interchanged. For example, to save a document you would press eitherCtrl+SorCommand+S. Another common shortcut on MacOS (previously Mac OS X) is Command + T which opens a new tab in Safari.

The Alt key, found on Windows keyboards, is another shortcut key used in conjunction with the Ctrl key. This is the equivalent of the Option key found on Mac keyboards (though some Mac keyboards do indeed have an Alt key).

On Windows PCs, the Alt key can be used to control menus in programs and apps. It also lets you insert special characters. For example,Alt+3enters a heart character.

The Mac Option key is also used for generating special characters in word processors and triggering secret functions. For example, if you hold the Option key when you minimize a window, you’ll minimize all windows. It’s also used in shortcuts. For example, pressingOption+Command+Spaceopens the Finder.

The Windows key, only found on Microsoft-based keyboards, opens the Start menu. This is the key that simply shows the Windows logo. It’s also used for keyboard shortcuts. For example, pressing theWindows key+Ropens the Run dialog box.

On a Windows keyboard, the backspace key deletes characters. On a Macbook, this key is known as the Delete key. It does exactly the same thing as the backspace key. Windows keyboards also have a Delete key, but this deletes characters in a forward direction. This key is known as the Del key on full-sized Macintosh keyboards.

TheFn or “function” keychanges the function of particular keys. This is found on all Mac keyboards, but it’s only found on Windows laptop keyboards.

Both Windows and Apple keyboards have a large Enter key found to the right of the letter keys. However, full-sized Windows PC keyboards have a second Enter key next to the numeric keypad. On Mac, there’s a second Enter key known as the Return key. While usually identical in function, it sometimes performs slightly different functions.

The Function Keys

Both Windows and MacOS have function keys found at the top of the keyboard. These are the F-keys that range from F1 to F12. On Windows laptops, these keys may perform different functions in combination with the Fn keys. Usually, they control brightness, volume, and other related features. You’ll know the secondary function based on the icon on the key.

On Mac, these keys generally have consistent features:

Other Keys

There are a few other notable differences between Mac and Windows keyboards.

Switch it Up

The differences between the Mac and Windows keyboards aren’t dramatic, but they can be confusing.

If you’re switching from the Windows to Apple ecosystem or theother way around, you can easilyuse the other layoutby altering your system preferences. In fact, you can set up your Apple computer to run Windows, and then use a Windows keyboard natively (andvice versa).

Jake Harfield is an Australian freelance writer whose passion is finding out how different technologies work. He has written for several online publications, focusing on explaining what he has learned to help others with their tech problems. He’s an avid hiker and birder, and in his spare time you’ll find him in the Aussie bush listening to the birdsong.Read Jake’s Full Bio

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Mac vs. Windows Keyboard: What’s Different?#

Windows vs Mac Keyboards: The Main Differences#

The Function Keys#

Other Keys#

Switch it Up#