Many think that going from Mac to Windows is a real company and as regards the transfer of data and for the actual use of the operating system.For this reason, we decided to develop a guide to introduce anyone in the Windows world, especially taking into consideration the differences that Mac users could perceive more than anything else.
Initially we will see some useful suggestions on how to pass the most important files and documents, and then focus attention on the functions to be known and the most basic aspects of the Microsoft operating system.There are many things to say, so let's put ourselves at work and we start immediately.
Go from Mac to Windows: Preliminary operations
Before proceeding with the transfer of data, however, we recommend carrying out some preliminary operations, in preparation for the subsequent use of Windows.We obviously talk about the export of data on an external storage system and the creation of a Microsoft account, essential in many segments of the operating system.
Export data to a hard disk
In some paragraph we will see how to take advantage of OneDrive to transfer the documents from Mac to Windows without the use of external appliances, but we still recommend creating a sort of backup of the entire PC content within a fairly large enough hard drive.
When we carry out passing operations, in fact, it would be an excellent idea to try to streamline the employed memory, perhaps saving the less important files on an external storage device and leave only those really important on the computer.
In particular, however, in this case we recommend that we export all the files, so that we can then subsequently recover them in case of problems, or more simply transfer them to the Mac without going through the cloud.Before entering the data, however, we recommend formatting the hard disk in Fat32 or XFAT format, as the other formats may not be recognized by the Mac.
Create a Microsoft account
A decisive factor for the use of a Windows PC is undoubtedly the Microsoft account, useful for downloading applications from the digital store, to synchronize all data with other devices and also to use the services of the same company such as Skype, Teams, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Onenote and much more.
Obviously this can be created totally free and in very few steps.The first thing to do will in fact be accessing the company's official website and immediately after clicking on "Create a Microsoft account".Now we will have to enter an existing email address (such as Gmail, Libero or others), or creating a new one by clicking on "Create a new email address" (to get one of Outlook).
At this point it will be necessary to click on "Next", enter all the data required to customize the profile (name, surname, date of birth and more), type a fairly safe password and conclude with the creation of the account.This can be immediately used after confirming that they are owners of the email address inserted during the registration phase.
Go from Mac to Windows with OneDrive
After creating a Microsoft account, you can also access in complete freedom to OneDrive, or the Microsoft cloud service.Thanks to this, it will therefore be possible to transfer all the data from Mac to Windows without the use of external devices, but only thanks to an internet connection.
The first thing to do in fact, it will be to open any web browser on the Mac and access the OneDrive website, obviously using your Microsoft account.At this point, it will be possible to drag all the documents to be transferred from the Mac to the OneDrive screen, so as to synchronize them and then find them on the same site, ready to be downloaded on the Windows PC.Obviously OneDrive himself can also be used for photos and videos.
However, it is worth mentioning the fact that OneDrive will offer only 5GB of memory in its free version, therefore, if the weight of the files exceeded this limit, it will be necessary to make more transfers (saving the files on the PC from time to time and then deleting themfrom OneDrive to make room for subsequent ones), or buy additional space from 100GB to 2 euros per month.We also remember that with the purchase of Microsoft 365 1TB of space will be included on OneDrive.
Alternatively, you can also use external cloud services, such as Google Drive, Mega, Dropbox, Box, Wetransfer or others.
After correctly inserting the files on OneDrive, it will therefore be necessary to start the Windows PC and access the same site, with the same account, using any web browser.In this way, all the previously transferred files will be ready to be exported and saved on the Windows PC.However, we remind you that the applications cannot be transferred in this way, given that, as we will see later, the installation files will be different from the "DMG" of macOS, which will not be compatible with Windows.
Go from Mac to Windows: what to know
To switch from Mac to Windows, however, it is not enough only to transfer the files, as you must also learn to carry out the most basic operations, which can actually be different for all macOS users.So let's go in order and start the installation of applications.
How to install applications
First of all, those that are identified on Mac as "applications", on Windows they are mostly defined as "programs" or "software" and are installed quite differently.Obviously we will refer only to the programs downloaded from the web and not by the Microsoft store, as those can be downloaded by simply clicking the download button on the dedicated page.
When downloading a software from the web, it is still meeting a "DMG" file, which once open, allows the simple transfer of the application icon to the dedicated folder precisely to applications.On Windows instead, the installation files are in "Exe" format.Once a double click on them, in fact, the real software installation procedure will start, which will invite the user to accept the terms and conditions and to read all the information on installation, proceeding continuously with the "Next ”at the bottom right, up to" End "or" Install ".
At the end of everything, the program will be correctly installed on the PC and a connection (a booting of starts substantially) will automatically be generated on the desktop (the connections to the programs can be recognized thanks to the icon of a small black arrow in the lower cornerto the left of the icon of the same program).It is undoubtedly a longer process, but over time it will learn not to make us much.
Discover "This PC" and the menu bars
The counterparty of the Mac's "Finder", on Windows is identified by "This PC", that is, that software that allows you to access any program, folder or files inside the computer.The navigation system will be substantially the same, as on the left there will be the selection column of the macro areas and on the right that of the display of the content.Within "this PC", all external peripherals connected to the computer will also be included.
One thing that a macOS user will notice will be the absence of the menu bar at the top.On Windows, in fact, this bar is not perpetually visible on the desktop, but it is mostly "hooked" to the dedicated software window.The Word menu bar, for example, will be located in the most part of its window, as well as for "this PC", for iTunes and for all other programs.
Learn to use the Start menu
The most similar thing to the "start" menu of Windows on Mac is the "launchpad", although in reality it is not exactly the same thing.With Start in fact (the icon present at the bottom left of the application bar) will be possible, not only access all the applications installed on the computer, but also view widgets, access the settings and use the search bar to search for any contenton the web or on the PC itself.As therefore anticipates the same name, it is a starting point for all operations.
To the right of the Start button, there will be an area dedicated to the housing of favorite applications and rapid access, just as it happens with the MacOS dock.Finally, in the most right part of the bar, it will be possible to view some basic information, such as timetable, date, wi-fi connection, bluetooth, notifications, quick toggle and much more.
Learn to use windows
Something that MacOS users will surely learn to love Windows will be the automatic downsizing of the windows.On Mac, in fact, positioning more windows correctly within the same desk turns out to be a fairly uncomfortable operation, as you have to manually downsize and place every single window (there are third -party apps capable of doing it, but they are all paid).
On Windows, however, simply hold on the bar at the top of the window and drag it towards the favorite screen portion.An animation will automatically appear that will invite the user to leave the grip on the pointer to align the window.This operation can be used to align a maximum of 4 windows within a single desk.
On Windows, however, the concept of multiple open desks will be used, as it is managed in a different and relatively more uncomfortable way.On Mac, for example, when you open a whole -screen application, this will position itself in a new request (to the right of the desk), leaving the main one completely free.On Windows, however, the full screen program will always occupy the same desktop, making it inaccessible until the same app will remain in full screen.
Another thing to know is certainly the method of closing the windows.On Mac in fact, the three action keys of the windows are positioned at the top left, on Windows instead they are at the top right.In addition, even if on MacOS you click on the red closing button, the app remains open in the background (until it manually closes from the dock), while on Windows, the red button "x" definitively closes the application.To leave the app open in the background, you will have to use the "-" key instead.The third button will instead be used to quickly resize the window.
Use antivirus
Windows is the most used desktop operating system in the world and for this reason, most viruses are scheduled to attack the aforementioned system.This therefore causes greater vulnerability than macOS.Microsoft installs a protection on the installation of the programs as standard, but this can safely be around by the most advanced malware.
For this reason, it could be an excellent idea to have an antivirus designed precisely to better protect the entire operating system.Among those best known and functional we find Norton 360, which in its standard version presents itself as the best choice for private individuals.
Buy the software license
Apple computers are undoubtedly expensive, but also have software and completely free updates.On Windows instead, to use certain programs or even just to install a new major release of the software, you will have to buy the license.
The same office suite of Microsoft (i.e. Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Onoote to others) must be unlocked by the purchase of a license, which is generally valid only for a year.As for the operating system, minor updates (for example Windows 10.x starting from Windows 10) will be free, but if you have in possession of Windows 7 and you want to switch to Windows 10, you will have to buy the license, otherwise the operating system will be limited.
However, with the arrival of Windows 11 it seems that things are changing, since this can be installed for free on all PCs with Windows 10.
Connect Android smartphones
Before concluding with the guide, we also turn to introduce the functions of the "My phone" program, very useful for all Android users and, in particular, for those that I have a Samsung Galaxy smartphone.Thanks to the aforementioned program, in fact, once the mobile cable or wireless mobile device is connected, you can carry out operations directly from the computer, obviously using the apps and telephone services.
Among the most important actions we find: the management of notifications, the display of the gallery photos, the sending and reception of text messages, calls and, only for Samsung Galaxy smartphones, also the use of applications installed on the device(like WhatsApp, Telegram or others).