What is macOS?

macOS is an operating system designed by Apple. The operating system is what allows
you to use a computer. macOS comes preloaded on all new Apple Macintosh computers
(commonly known as Macs).

macOS makes it possible to complete all kinds of everyday tasks on your computer. For
example, you can use it to browse the Internet, check your email, edit digital photos,
listen to music, and play games.

macOS is also used in some o?ices because it gives you access to productivity tools
such as calendars, word processors, and spreadsheets.
Earlier versions of macOS have been around since the mid-1980s. There have been
many versions since then, but the most recent ones include macOS Mojave (2018), High
Sierra (2017), Sierra (2016). El Capitan (2015), and Yosemite (2014).

In some older versions, macOS was called OS X (pronounced O-S ten). However, many
people use the terms OS X and macOS interchangeably because the basic functionality
of the operating system is still very similar.

Lesson 2: Navigating macOS

Getting started with macOS

Whether you're new to computers or just new to the macOS operating system, it's
important to learn the basics of using your computer. If it all seems a little overwhelming
right now, don't worry! We'll take you through it step by step and show you some of the
most fundamental things you'll need to know, like how to work with the desktop, open
and close windows, and turn o? your computer.
The desktop
Once your computer has finished starting up, the first thing you'll see is the desktop. You
can think of the desktop as the main workspace for your computer. From here, you can
view and manage your files, open applications, and access the Internet, among other
tasks.

Working with applications

An application—also known as a program—is a type of so?ware that allows you to
complete tasks on your computer. macOS comes with many applications you can use.
For example, if you want to browse the Internet, you can use Safari, the built-in web
browser for macOS. One of the easiest ways to open an application is to click its icon on
the Dock.

To open an application:
1 Using your mouse, click an application icon on the Dock. In our example,
we'll open Safari.

2 The application will appear in a new window.

 If you don't see the application you want, click the Spotlight icon in the
top-right corner of the screen and type the name of the application with
your keyboard to search for it.

Working with windows

Whenever you open a file, folder, or application, it will appear in a new window. You can
have multiple items open at the same time in di?erent windows. You'll use windows all
the time, so it's important to know how to switch among open windows, move and
resize windows, and close windows when you're done using them.
Parts of a window
You'll see the same three buttons in the upper-le? corner of almost every window.

Clicking the red button will close the window.

Clicking the yellow button will minimize the window, hiding it from view. It will be
minimized to the Dock. You can then click the icon for that window on the Dock to make
it reappear.

Clicking the green button will maximize the window, making it larger. You can click it
again to return the window to its original size.

To move a window:
1 Click and drag the top of the window to move it to the desired location on
the screen. When you're done, release the mouse.

2 The window will appear in the new location.

To resize a window:
 1 Hover the mouse over the lower-right corner of the window, then click and
drag the mouse to make the window larger or smaller. When you're done,
release the mouse.

2 The window will be resized.

Quitting applications
Unlike Microso? Windows, closing a window in macOS does not automatically quit an
application. The application will continue running in the background even if it doesn't
have a window open. To see whether an application is running, look for a small black
dot below the icon on the Dock. In the image below, you can see that there are four
open applications (Finder, Safari, Notes, and Calendar).
To keep your computer running smoothly, you may want to quit an application when
you're done using it. To do this, click the icon on the Dock to switch to the application,
then click the application name in the top-le? corner of the screen and select Quit from
the menu that appears. Note: You won't be able to quit Finder because macOS requires
Finder to run continuously.

You can also quit an application by pressing Command+Q on your

keyboard. This is an example of a keyboard shortcut, which we'll cover in

Shutting down your computer

When you're done using your computer, it's important to shut it down properly. If you
want to stop using it temporarily, you can also put it in Sleep mode.

To shut down macOS:

Click the Apple icon in the top-le? corner of the screen, then select Shut Down...
 Restarting and Sleep mode
You'll notice other options next to the Shut Down command. For example, if your
computer has become slow or unresponsive, you can choose Restart to quickly turn it
o? and on again.

You can also choose to put your computer into Sleep mode. This mode turns o? most of
your computer's processes, but it remembers which applications and files are open. This
allows the computer to start up more quickly because you won't have to wait for the
operating system and applications to load. Note that your computer may go into Sleep
mode automatically if you haven't used it for more than a few minutes.

If you have a laptop, you can simply close the lid to put it into Sleep mode.

Waking your computer from Sleep mode

If your computer is in Sleep mode, you'll need to wake it to use it. To wake the computer
from Sleep mode, click the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
 Lesson 3: Working with Files

File basics
Understanding how to work with files and folders is an important part of using your
computer. Once you understand how files and folder work, you'll use them all the time.
In this lesson, we'll show you the basics of working with files, including how to open
files, move your files into folders, and delete files.

What is a file?
There are many di?erent types of files you can use. For example, Microso? Word
documents, digital photos, digital music, and digital videos are all types of files. You
might even think of a file as a digital version of a real-world thing you can interact with
on your computer. When you use di?erent applications, you'll o?en be viewing,
creating, or editing files.

Files are usually represented by an icon. In the image below, you can see a few di?erent
types of files on the desktop.

What is a folder?
macOS uses folders to help you organize files. You can put files inside a folder, just like
you would put documents inside a real folder. In the image below, you can see some
folders on the desktop.
Finder
You can view and organize your files and folders using a built-in application known as
Finder.

To open Finder, click the Finder icon on the Dock, or double-click any folder on your
desktop. A new Finder window will appear. Now you're ready to start working with files
and folders.

From Finder, double-click a folder to open it. You can then see all of the files stored in
that folder. You can also click a location in the Sidebar on the le? to go to a di?erent
folder.

Note that you can see the name of the current folder at the top of the Finder window.
If the Sidebar isn't visible on the le? side of the Finder window, select View

> Show Sidebar from the Menu bar.

To open a file:
There are two primary ways to open a file:
▶ Find the file on your computer and double-click it. This will open the file
in its default application. In our example, we'll open a Microso? Word
document (cover letter.docx), which will open in Microso? Word.
 ▶ Open the application, then use the application to open the file. Once the
application is open, you can go to the File menu near the top-le? corner of
the screen and select Open.

Moving and deleting files

As you begin using your computer, you will start to collect more and more files, which
can make it more di?icult to find the files you need. Fortunately, macOS allows you to
move files to di?erent folders and delete files you longer use.
To move a file:
It's easy to move a file from one location to another. For example, you might have a file
on the desktop that you want to move to your Documents folder.

1 Click and drag the file to the desired location.

2 Release the mouse. The file will appear in the new location. In this example,
we have opened the folder to see the file in its new location.
 You can use this same technique to move an entire folder. Note that
moving a folder will also move all of the files within that folder.

To create a new folder:

1 Within Finder, select File > New Folder from the Menu bar near the top-le?
corner of the screen. You can also press Command+N on your keyboard.

2 The new folder will appear. Type the desired name for the folder, then press
Enter. In our example, we'll call it Finance.

3 The new folder will be created. You can now move files into this folder.
To rename a file or folder:
You can change the name of any file or folder. A unique name will make it easier to
remember what type of information is saved in the file or folder.

1 Click the file or folder, wait about one second, then click again. An editable
text field will appear.

2 Type the desired name on your keyboard, then press Enter. The name will
be changed.

To delete a file or folder:

If you no longer need to use a file, you can delete it. When you delete a file, it is moved to
the Trash. If you change your mind, you can move the file from the Trash back to its
original location. If you're sure you want to permanently delete the file, you will need to
empty the Trash.
1 Click and drag the file or folder to the Trash icon on the Dock. You can also
select the file and press Command+Delete on your keyboard.
2 To permanently delete the file, click and hold the Trash icon, then select
Empty Trash. All files in the Trash will be permanently deleted.

Note that deleting a folder will also delete all of the files within that folder.

Selecting multiple files

Now that you know the basics, here are a few tips to help you move your files even
faster.

To select more than one file:

There are a few ways to select more than one file at a time.

▶ If you're viewing your files as icons, you can click and drag the mouse to
draw a box around the files you want to select. When you're done, release
the mouse; the files will be selected. You can now move, copy, or delete all
of these files at the same time.

▶ To select specific files from a folder, press and hold the Command key on
your keyboard, then click the files you want to select.
 ▶ To select a group of adjacent files from a folder, click the first file, press and
hold the Shi? key on your keyboard, then click the last file. All of the files
between the first and last ones will be selected.

To select all:
If you want to select all files in a folder at the same time, open the folder in Finder and
press Command+A on your keyboard. All of the files in the folder will be selected.

If working with files and folders feels a little tricky right now, don't worry! Like anything
else, working with files and folders is largely a matter of practice. You'll start to feel more
comfortable as you continue using your computer.

Shortcuts
If you have a file or folder you use frequently, you can save time by creating a shortcut
on the desktop. Instead of navigating to the file or folder every time you want to use it,
you can simply double-click the shortcut to open it. A shortcut will have a small arrow in
the lower-le? corner of the icon.

Note that creating a shortcut does not create a duplicate copy of the folder. It's simply a
 or the files it contains. Also note that copying a shortcut onto a flash drive will not work.
If you want to bring a file with you, you'll need to navigate to the actual location of the
file and copy it to the flash drive.

To create a shortcut:
1 Locate the folder on your computer. Press and hold the Command and
Option keys on your keyboard, then click and drag the folder to the
desktop.

2 A shortcut to the folder will appear on the desktop. Notice the arrow in the
lower-le? corner of the icon. You can now double-click the shortcut to open
the folder at any time.

Lesson 4: Finding Files on Your Computer

Finding your files
In the previous lesson, we talked about how folders can help to keep your files
organized. However, there may be times when you'll have trouble finding a certain file.

If this happens to you, don't panic! The file is probably still on your computer, and there
are a few good ways to find it. In this lesson, we'll show you some techniques you can
use to find your files.
Common places to look for files
If you're having a di?icult time finding a file, there's a good chance you can find it in one
of the places below.

▶ Recent Items: If you recently edited the file you need, you can try looking in
the Recent Items list. To view it, click the Apple icon in the top-le? corner
of the screen, then select Recent Items from the menu. A list of recently
used applications and files will appear. If you see the file you need, click it
to open it.

▶ Downloads: By default, your computer will place downloaded files in a

specific folder, known as the Downloads folder. If you're having trouble
finding a file you downloaded from the Internet, like a photo attached to an
email message, this is the first place you should look. Locate and click the
Downloads folder on the right side of the Dock. A list of your downloaded
files will appear above the folder.
▶ Default folders: If you don't specify a location when saving a file, macOS
will place certain types of files into default folders. For example, if you're
looking for a Microso? Word document, search for it in the Documents
folder. If you're looking for a photo, try the Pictures folder. Most of these
folders will be accessible from the Sidebar on the le? of the Finder window.

▶ Trash: If you deleted the file by mistake, it may still be in the Trash. You can
click the Trash icon on the Dock to open it. If you find the file you need,
click and drag it back to the desktop or to a di?erent folder.

Searching for files

Let's say you recently downloaded a few photos that were attached to an email
message, but now you're not sure where these files are on your computer. If you're
struggling to find a file, you can always search for it. Searching allows you to look for
any file on your computer.

To do this, click the Spotlight icon in the top-right corner of the screen, then type the
file name or keywords in the search box. The search results will appear as you type.
Simply click a file or folder to open it.
You can also click Show All in Finder at the top of the results to see the
location of the files in a new Finder window.

Tips for finding files

If you're still having trouble finding the file you need, here are some additional tips.

▶ Try di?erent search terms. If you're using the search option, try using
di?erent terms in your search. For example, if you're looking for a certain
Microso? Word document, try searching for a few di?erent file names you
might have used when saving the document.

▶ Open the last application used to edit the file. If you know you used a
certain application to edit a file, open that application and select File >
Open Recent from the menu. The file may appear in the list of recently
edited files.
▶ Move and rename the file a?er finding it. Once you've located the file, you
may want to move it to a related folder so you can find it more easily in
the future. For example, if the file is a photo, you might move it to your
Pictures folder. You may also want to give it a related file name that will be
easy to remember.

Lesson 5: Common Computer Tasks

Introduction
Learning how to use a computer can feel overwhelming at times. Fortunately, there are
some common computer skills that will work the same way in almost any situation.
Once you learn how to use these skills, you'll be able to perform a variety of tasks on
your computer. In this lesson, we'll talk about some common commands you can use in
almost any application, like cut and paste and undo, as well as how to right-click the
mouse in macOS.

The menu bar

Whenever you open an application, you'll be able to use the Menu bar in the top-le?
corner of the screen. Each menu has a set of commands that will perform a specific
action within the program. While each application is di?erent, there are some common
commands that work the same way, no matter which application you're using.
Whenever you open a program for the first time, try clicking these menus to see the
various options.

Application menu commands

You'll find the Application menu just to the right of the Apple icon on the Menu bar. It
will show the name of the application that's currently open. In this example, we're using
the TextEdit application. From here, you can learn more about the application, change
your preferences for the program, and quit.
File menu commands
You'll find the File menu just to the right of the Application menu. The File menu will
usually have the same type of commands. For example, you can create a new file, open
an existing file, and save the current file.

Right-clicking the mouse

Many tasks will require you to right-click with your mouse or trackpad. This usually
allows you to access a menu with useful shortcuts, which will vary depending on the
application you're using. In macOS, right-clicking is disabled by default, but it is easy to
enable the feature.

To enable right-clicking:
1 Click the Apple icon in the top-le? corner of the screen, then select System
Preferences.
 3 Check the box next to Secondary click. Right-clicking will be enabled. If you
are using a mouse without an obvious right button (such as the Magic
Mouse shown below), you can right-click by clicking near the right side of
the mouse.

Other ways to right-click

If you don't have right-clicking enabled, you can still perform a secondary click (or right-
click) at any time on your Mac. Just press and hold the Control key on your keyboard
and click the mouse.

If you have a trackpad, you can tap it with two fingers to right-click. You can also go to
System Preferences > Trackpad to choose other right-click options for the trackpad.
Cutting, copying, and pasting
Many applications allow you to copy items from one place and paste them to another.
For example, if you're working with a word processor, you might copy and paste text to
avoid typing the same thing over and over. If there's something you want to move from
one place to another, you can cut and paste instead.

To copy and paste:

1 Select the item you want to copy. In our example, we'll select a word in a
document.

2 Right-click the mouse and select Copy from the menu that appears. You can
also press Command+C on your keyboard.
3 Locate and right-click the desired location for the item, then select Paste.
You can also press Command+V on your keyboard.

4 The item will be copied to the new location. Notice how the original text
that was copied has not been moved or changed.
To cut and paste:
1 Select the item you want to cut. In our example, we'll select a paragraph of
text in a document.

2 Right-click the mouse and select Cut from the menu that appears. You can
also press Command+X on your keyboard.

3 Locate and right-click the desired location for the item, then select Paste.
You can also press Command+V on your keyboard.

4 The item will be pasted, or moved, to the new location. In our example, we
used the cut and paste commands to move the second paragraph above the
first paragraph.
To copy and paste files:
You can use the cut, copy, and paste commands for a variety of tasks on your computer.
For example, if you wanted to create a duplicate copy of a file, you could copy it from
one folder to another.

1 Right-click the file and select Copy from the menu that appears. You can
also press Command+C on your keyboard.

2 Locate and right-click the new location and select Paste. You can also press
Command+V on your keyboard. In our example, we'll paste the file to the
desktop.
 3 The duplicate file will appear. Notice how the original file has not been
moved or changed. Also note that if you make a change to the original file,
it will not update any copies of that file.

Note that copying a file is not the same as creating a shortcut.

Undoing changes
Let's say you're working on a document and accidentally delete some text. Fortunately,
you won't have to retype everything you just deleted! Most applications allow you to
undo your most recent action when you make a mistake like this. Just click the Edit
menu in the Menu bar and select Undo. You can also press Command+Z on your
keyboard. You can continuing using this command to undo multiple changes in a row.

Note that the Undo command will work almost all of the time, but not in
every situation. For example, if you empty the Trash to permanently delete
a file, you can't undo the action.
 Now you know some of the most commonly used commands, which you'll be able to
use in almost any application on your computer. As we mentioned earlier in this lesson,
you can also use keyboard shortcuts to perform these commands even faster.

Lesson 6: Adjusting Your Settings

Adjusting your settings
At some point, you may want to adjust your computer's settings. For example, you
might want to change your desktop background or modify your Internet settings. You
can change most of your computer's settings from System Preferences.

To open System Preferences:

1 Click the Apple icon in the top-le? corner of the screen, then select System
Preferences.

2 The System Preferences window will appear. Simply click the desired
setting to adjust it. In our example, we'll select Desktop & Screen Saver to
choose a new wallpaper for our desktop.
You can also click the System Preferences icon on the Dock to access these
settings at any time.

Other important settings

There are a few settings you can't access through System Preferences. For example, if
you want to customize the appearance of the Finder window, go to Finder >
Preferences...

If you want to customize the settings for another application such as Safari, click the
program name in the Menu bar and select Preferences...

If you want to change how items appear on your desktop, you can right-click the
desktop and select Show View Options from the menu that appears. From here, you
can change the size of the icons on your desktop, increase the overall text size, and
make additional changes.
What are user accounts?
A user account allows you to sign in to your computer. By default, your Mac already has
one user account, which you were required to create when you set up your computer. If
you plan to share your computer with others, you can create a separate user account
for each person.

Why have separate user accounts?

At this point, you may be wondering why you might even need to use separate user
accounts. If you're sharing a computer with multiple people—for example, with your
family or at the o?ice—user accounts allow everyone to save their own files, preferences,
and settings without a?ecting other computer users. When you start your computer,
you'll be able to choose which account you want to use.

Administrator, Standard, and Managed accounts

Before you create new user accounts, it's important to understand the di?erent types.

▶ Administrator: Administrator accounts are special accounts that are used

for making changes to system settings or managing others' accounts. They
have full access to every setting on the computer. Every computer will have
at least one Administrator account, and if you're the owner you should
already have a password to this account.

▶ Standard: Standard accounts are the basic accounts you use for normal
everyday tasks. As a Standard user, you can do just about anything you
would need to do, like running so?ware and personalizing your desktop.

▶ Managed: Managed accounts are the only ones that can have parental
controls. You can create a Managed account for each child, then go to the
Parental Controls settings in your System Preferences to set website
restrictions, time limits, and more. You can also convert a Standard
account into a Managed account by enabling parental controls.
Generally, it's safer to be signed in to a Standard account than an Administrator account.
If you're signed in as an Administrator, it may actually make it easier for an
unauthorized user to make changes to your computer. Because of this, you may want
to create a Standard account for yourself, even if you're not sharing the computer with
anyone. You'll still be able to make Administrator-level changes; you'll just need to
provide your Administrator password when making these changes.

To create a new user account:

1 Use the Apple icon to navigate to System Preferences, then select Users &
Groups.

2 Locate the Lock icon in the lower-le? corner of the window. It will either be
open or closed.

3 If the lock icon is closed, you will need to click it and type your password to
make changes. When you're done, click Unlock.
4 Click the button with the plus sign (+) to begin creating a new account.

5 Choose the account type from the drop-down menu.

6 Type a Full Name and Password for the new account (the Account name
will appear automatically). In the Verify field, type the password again. If
you want, you can type a Password hint to help you remember it. When
you are done, click Create User.

To switch to a different account:

1 Click the Apple icon, then select Log Out.
 2 A sign-in screen will appear. Enter the desired user name and password,
then press Enter. In some versions of macOS, you may need to select the
user account before typing the password.

Lesson 8: Keyboard Shortcuts in macOS

What are keyboard shortcuts?

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or a combination of keys you can press on your keyboard
to perform a variety of tasks. Using keyboard shortcuts is o?en faster than using a
mouse because you can keep both hands on the keyboard. Keyboard shortcuts are also
universal, which means you can use many of the same shortcuts in a variety of
applications. For example, you can use the same shortcut to copy and paste text in a
word processor and in a web browser.

Using shortcuts
Many keyboard shortcuts require you to press two or more keys in a specific order. For
example, to perform the shortcut Command+X, you would press and hold the
Command key, press the X key, then release.

You'll use the Command, Option, and Control keys to perform most keyboard
shortcuts. You'll find these keys near the bottom-le? corner of your keyboard.
 If you are not using a Mac keyboard, you may not have the Command or
Option keys. This means you'll need to experiment with key combinations
to perform some keyboard shortcuts.

Working with text

These keyboard shortcuts are useful when working with text in word processors, email
applications, and more. They can help you perform commonly repeated tasks, like
copying and pasting text.

▶ Command+X: Cut the selected text.

▶ Command+C: Copy the selected text.

▶ Command+V: Paste the copied or cut text.

▶ Command+A: Select all of the text on the page or in the active window.

▶ Command+B: Bold the selected text.

▶ Command+I: Italicize the selected text.

▶ Command+U: Underline the selected text.

Working with files and applications

You can use keyboard shortcuts to open, close, and switch applications. When working
with a file, such as a Microso? Word document, shortcuts can be used to create new
files, find words, and print.
 ▶ Option+Command+Esc: Force an unresponsive or frozen program to quit.
This shortcut opens the Force Quit Applications dialog box. You can then
select an application and click Force Quit to quit it.

▶ Command+Delete: Send a selected file to the Trash.

▶ Enter: Open a selected application or file.

▶ Space: Preview the selected file.

▶ Command+N: Create a new file.

▶ Command+O: Open an existing file.

▶ Command+S: Save the current file.

▶ Command+Z: Undo the previous action. If you want to redo the action,
press Command+Y (or Command+Shi?+Z in some applications).

Internet shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts can also be used to navigate your web browser. Many of the text
shortcuts above are also useful online, including the shortcuts for selecting, copying,
and pasting text into your web browser's address bar. Note that some of these shortcuts
may work a bit di?erently depending on the web browser you're using.

▶ Command+N: Open a new browser window.

▶ Command+T: Open a new browser tab.

 ▶ Command+D: Bookmark the current page.

▶ Command+B: View bookmarks.

▶ Command+J: View recently downloaded files.

Finding more keyboard shortcuts

In many applications, you'll find keyboard shortcuts next to menu items.

When you look for shortcuts this way, you'll notice that macOS uses a few di?erent
symbols to indicate di?erent keys on your keyboard, including:

▶ ⌘ Command key

▶ ⇧ Shi? key

▶ ⌥ Option key

▶ ⌃ Control key

▶ fn Function key

If you want to perform the shortcut ⌥ ⌘ P, press Option+Command+P on your

keyboard. ⇧ ⌘ S would be Shi?+Command+S, and so on.
 Lesson 9: Common Applications in macOS

Common applications in macOS

macOS comes with several useful applications already installed. You can accomplish
most common tasks using just these apps without the need to install others.

Many of these apps can be opened by clicking their icon on the Dock at the bottom of
the screen. If an app's icon is not present on the Dock, it can be found by clicking the
Launchpad icon.

Safari
Safari is an easy-to-use web browser built for Mac and has many of the same features as
other browsers. Bookmarks can be shared across your devices, and a built-in menu
helps you share webpages on social media.

Mail
The Mail app downloads your email to your computer and organizes it. The app also
acts as a new interface for your email and has features like Markup, which allows you to
draw on attachments.

Calendar
Calendar can help you organize your schedule with its color-coded interface. You can
easily switch among views for the day, week, month, or year. Calendar features several
integrated tools, including notifications, travel planning, and sharing.
Messages
Messages can connect to multiple instant-messaging services and organizes your chats
all in one app. It also supports video and audio chats on some services.

iTunes
iTunes gives you access to Apple's expansive online store of music, movies, and TV
shows. iTunes saves and plays your media on your computer and can help organize your
media into custom playlists.

App Store
The App Store provides a seamless way to search for, purchase, and install apps online.
It also updates your apps automatically while you are doing other things.
Photos
The Photos app acts like a photo organizer, allowing you to store, sort, and display your
photos on your computer. It also includes a photo editor, online storage, and features to
help you share photos online.

Time Machine
Time Machine can back up your files automatically to an external hard drive or network
server. Once configured, Time Machine will perform automatic backups on a regular
schedule.

System Preferences
With System Preferences, you can adjust your computer's settings. This includes
various system configuration settings, as well as options to personalize some functions
of your computer.
 Lesson 10: Opening Files with Different Applications

Opening files with different

applications
When you open a file in macOS, it will usually open in the default application for that
type of file. For example, a photo will open in Preview. But you may not always want
this. In this lesson, we'll show you how to open a file in a di?erent application, as well
as how to change the default application so a file will always open in your preferred
program.

Opening a file in the default application

As you learned in our lesson on working with files, you can locate and double-click a
file to open it. It will open in the default application for that type of file.

To open a file in a different application:

Sometimes you may want to open a file in a di?erent application without changing the
default. For example, you may want to open a photo with Adobe Photoshop to crop or
resize it.

1 Locate and right-click the desired file. From the drop-down menu, select
Open With and choose the desired application. In this example, we'll
select Adobe Photoshop Elements Editor.

2 The file will open in the selected application.

To change the default application:
You may prefer to change the default application for certain types of files so they'll
always open in the new app when you double-click them. For example, you may want
your photos to always open in Adobe Photoshop instead of the Preview application.

1 Locate and right-click the desired file, then select Get Info from the menu
that appears. You can also select the file and press Command+I on your
keyboard.

2 A dialog box will appear. Under Open with, click the drop-down menu and
select the desired application. In our example, we'll select Adobe
Photoshop Elements Editor.
3 Click Change All.

4 A dialog box will appear confirming that you want to change the default
application for all files of this file type. Click Continue.

5 The default application will be changed. The next time you double-click a
file of that type, it will open in the new default application.
 Lesson 11: Working with Flash Drives

What is a flash drive?

A flash drive is a small, removable hard drive that plugs in to a USB port on your
computer. You can purchase a flash drive for less than $20 at just about any retail store
with an electronics department, and even at some grocery stores and pharmacies. Flash
drives are a convenient way to bring your files with you and open them on a di?erent
computer. You could also use a flash drive to back up important documents and other
files. In this lesson, we'll show you how to use a flash drive with your computer.

To connect a flash drive:

1 Insert the flash drive into a USB port on your computer. You should find a
USB port on the front, back, or side of your computer (the location may vary
 depending on whether you have a desktop or laptop).

2 Open Finder and locate and select the flash drive from the Sidebar on the
le? side of the window. Note that the name of the flash drive may vary. You
may also see the flash drive on the desktop. If so, double-click it to open
the flash drive in a new Finder window.

If you don't see the flash drive on the desktop, go to Finder > Preferences
(you may have to click the desktop first to switch to Finder). Next, make
sure the External disks option is checked on the General tab.

How to work with a flash drive:

Once you've connected a flash drive, you can work with it just like any other folder on
your computer, including moving and deleting files.

1 If you want to copy a file from your computer to the flash drive, click and
drag the file from your computer to this window.
 2 The file will be duplicated, and the new version will be saved to the flash
drive. The original version of the file will still be saved to your computer.

3 If you want to copy a file from your flash drive to your computer, click
and drag the file from the window to your computer.

4 If you want to remove a file from your flash drive, click and drag the file to
the Trash, then click and hold the Trash icon and select Empty Trash to
permanently delete the file.

To safely remove a flash drive:

When you're done using a flash drive, don't remove it from the USB port just yet! You'll
need to make sure to disconnect it properly to avoid damaging files on the drive.

1 In Finder, click the Eject button next to the flash drive. You can also right-
click the flash drive and select Eject.
 2 You can now safely remove the flash drive from the USB port.

Lesson 12: Troubleshooting Common Problems

Introduction
Do you know what to do if your screen goes blank? What if you can't seem to close an
application—or can't hear any sound from your speakers? Whenever you have a problem
with your computer, don't panic! There are several basic troubleshooting techniques
you can use to fix issues like this. In this lesson, we'll show you some simple things to try
when troubleshooting, as well as how to solve common problems you may encounter.

Basic troubleshooting techniques

There are several things that could cause a problem with your computer. No matter
what's causing the issue, troubleshooting will always be a process of trial and error—in
some cases, you may need to try several approaches before finding a solution; other
problems may be easy to fix. As you gain more experience with troubleshooting, you'll
start to learn more about what causes common problems and how to fix them. No
matter what you're trying to solve, we recommend starting by using the following tips.
 ▶ Write down your steps. Once you start troubleshooting, you may want to
write down each step you take. This way, you'll be able to remember
exactly what you've done and can avoid repeating the same mistakes. If you
end up asking others for help, it will be much easier if they know exactly
what you've tried already.

▶ Take notes about error messages. If your computer gives you an error
message, be sure to write down as much information as possible. You may
be able to use this information later to find out if other people are having
the same error.

▶ Always check the cables. If you're having trouble with a specific piece of
computer hardware, such as your monitor or keyboard, an easy first step is
to check all related cables to make sure they're properly connected.

▶ Restart the computer. When all else fails, one of the best things to try is
simply restarting the computer. This can solve a lot of basic issues you
may experience.

Troubleshooting specific problems

Now that you know a few troubleshooting techniques, we'll talk about possible
solutions for some of the most basic problems you may encounter.

Problem: An application is running slowly

▶ Solution 1: Quit and reopen the application.

▶ Solution 2: Update the application. To do this, open the App Store and click
the Updates tab. If an update is available for the application, it will be listed
here.
Problem: An application is frozen
Sometimes an application may become stuck, or frozen. When this happens, you won't
be able to close the window or click any buttons within the application.

▶ Solution 1: Force quit the application. If a program has become completely

unresponsive, you can press (and hold) Command+Option+Esc (the
Command, Option, and Escape keys) on your keyboard to open the Force
Quit Applications dialog box. You can then select the unresponsive
application and click Force Quit to end it.

▶ Solution 2: Restart the computer. If you are unable to force quit an

application, restarting your computer will close all open apps.

Problem: The computer is frozen

Sometimes your computer may become completely unresponsive. When this happens,
you won't be able to click anywhere on the screen, open or close applications, or access
Shut Down options.

▶ Solution 1: Restart Finder. To do this, press and hold

Command+Option+Esc on your keyboard to open the Force Quit
Applications dialog box. Next, locate and select Finder, then click
Relaunch.

▶ Solution 2: Press and hold the Power button for 5 to 10 seconds to force
the computer to shut down.

▶ Solution 3: If the computer still won't shut down, unplug the power cable
from the electrical outlet. If you're using a laptop, you may be able to
remove the battery to force the computer to turn o?. Note: This solution
should be your last resort a?er trying the other suggestions above.

Problem: The mouse/keyboard has stopped working

▶ Solution 1: If you're using a wired mouse or keyboard, make sure it's
correctly plugged in to the computer.

▶ Solution 2: If you're using a wireless mouse or keyboard, make sure it is

turned on and that its batteries are charged.

Problem: The screen is blank

▶ Solution 1: The computer may just be in Sleep mode. Simply click the
mouse or press any key on the keyboard to wake it.

▶ Solution 2: Make sure the monitor is plugged in and turned on.

▶ Solution 3: Make sure the computer is plugged in and turned on.

▶ Solution 4: If you're using a desktop, make sure the monitor cable is

properly connected to the computer tower and monitor.
 Problem: There's no sound on the computer
▶ Solution 1: Check the volume level. Use the volume-control buttons on your
keyboard to make sure the sound is turned up.

▶ Solution 2: Check the audio player controls. Many audio and video players
will have their own separate audio controls. Make sure the sound is turned
on and the volume is up in the player.

▶ Solution 3: Check the cables. Make sure external speakers are plugged in,
turned on, and connected to the correct audio port or a USB port. If your
computer has color-coded ports, the audio output port will usually be
green.

▶ Solution 4: Connect headphones to the computer and see if you can hear
sound from the headphones.

Lesson 13: Using a Windows Keyboard With a Mac

Using a Windows keyboard with a

Mac
If you want to use a Windows keyboard on your Mac, the good news is it's pretty simple.
You can use almost any Windows keyboard as long as it has either a USB or Bluetooth
connection.

Why use a Windows keyboard?

One of the main reasons you might choose to use a Windows keyboard on a Mac is that
it's more readily available. In most stores, you'll find that there are more Windows
keyboards than there are Mac keyboards. You may also have one lying around the house
from an older computer.
Some people simply prefer to use Windows keyboards. Perhaps you recently switched
from a Windows computer to a Mac and you prefer the feel of your old keyboard. There's
also a variety of custom keyboards available, with most of them made for Windows
machines.

What are the main differences?

Although Windows and Mac keyboards feature most of the same keys, there are a few
that di?er. When using a Windows keyboard on a Mac, the Windows key is used instead
of the Command key, and the Alt key is used in place of the Option key. For example,
the Undo shortcut would use Windows+Z instead of Command+Z. It's also worth noting
that their positions are reversed on the two types of keyboards.

Setting up a Windows keyboard

To use a Windows keyboard, simply connect it to your Mac (if it's a Bluetooth keyboard,
your Mac should recognize it when you turn on the keyboard). You should be able to use
it as soon as it's connected. You may be greeted with a Keyboard Setup Assistant
prompt like the one in the image below. This is just the computer's way of identifying the
keyboard; simply follow the onscreen directions. This only takes a minute or two, and
then you'll be all set!
Remapping the keys
If you've recently switched keyboards, using shortcuts can be frustrating. Some modifier
keys are arranged di?erently, which can be di?icult to get used to. For example, if you're
used to pressing Command+Z, this same typing movement would be Alt+Z on a
Windows keyboard.

Luckily, Macs allow you to remap your keys. This means you can change the function of
the keys so when you press one key, it's actually performing the action of another. For
example, you can set it so that the Alt key will act like the Command key when pressed.

Lesson 14: Running Windows on a Mac

Running Windows on a Mac

If you own a Mac, you've probably noticed that a lot of Windows programs can't run in
macOS. This can sometimes be frustrating when there's a certain application you need
to use. Luckily, there are a few ways to run Windows on a Mac. We'll cover two of these
methods in this lesson.
Both require you to have a copy of Windows. This will be a very large file, so you'll want
to make sure you have plenty of space on your hard drive.

Option 1: Boot Camp

Boot Camp is a built-in tool that comes with Apple computers that allows you to install
Windows in a dual-boot configuration. This means both Windows and macOS will be
installed on your computer, but only one can run at a time. Because of this, if you decide
to use this method you'll have to restart your computer whenever you want to switch
between the two operating systems.

Option 2: Using a virtual machine

A second method of running Windows on a Mac is using something called virtual
machine so?ware. This is so?ware you can download that allows you to run Windows
within macOS without restarting your computer. This makes it much more convenient
than using Boot Camp.

When using virtual machine so?ware, both Windows and macOS will be running at the
same time. Because of this, this method requires much more processing power than
Boot Camp.

Parallels and VMware Fusion are popular virtual machine programs, but they cost
money to both download and keep updated. VirtualBox is a free program, but its
performance isn't as strong, and it lacks some of the features provided in Parallels and
VMware Fusion.