4 Things I Miss From Windows After Switching to macOS
I switched from Windows to macOS around six months ago, and I’ve enjoyed the experience so far.
Having grown up using Windows, I used it at home, at school, at university, and now in my professional life, where I manage both the desktop and server versions.
Over the years, I’ve had run-ins with macOS and even owned a few MacBook models.
My favourite was a mid-2012 MacBook Pro, which I purchased second-hand on eBay. I liked it because it was upgradable. I remember upgrading the hard drive to a faster solid-state drive and the memory from 4 GB to 8 GB, which seems almost unimaginable in this day and age.
Switching to macOS changed everything for me.
It meant finding new software and apps to replace many of the ones I was familiar with. It also meant learning the ins and outs of macOS, which I was a bit rusty with after not using it full-time in a few years.
So far, I’ve enjoyed the experience and the novelty of using something different in my everyday life.
But as much as I am enjoying the macOS, there are a few things that I miss from Windows. In this article, I will discuss four of those things.
So without any further ado, here are 4 things I miss from Windows after Switching to macOS…
1. Snap Layouts
Snap layouts in Windows 11 are preconfigured ways to organise open windows on your screen, making window management and multitasking a breeze.
I am a big fan of this feature in Windows 11 because it makes snapping windows quick and easy.
On macOS, there is a built-in tool that you can access by holding the Option key and hovering over the green button, but I feel that it’s nowhere near as good as it is in Windows 11.
I ended up installing an app called BetterSnapTool which cost around £2.99. It was worth every penny as it significantly improves window management on macOS.
However, I hope that Apple decides to improve this feature in future versions of the operating system.
2. File Explorer
I must admit, I am not a fan of File Explorer in Windows 11. I find the Windows 10 version to be more user-friendly. So, I’m primarily referring to the Windows 10 version in this section.
After using macOS for around six months, I still believe that File Explorer on Windows is better.
I prefer its look and feel, as well as the various views available for displaying files. My favourite view has to be the Details view.
Additionally, I think that the experience of transferring large files is better on Windows, especially with the helpful progress graph showing the transfer speed.
3. Upgradability
One of the main issues I have with modern laptops and some desktops is that they are becoming less and less upgradable. In an ideal world, I want to be able to add a larger solid-state drive or more memory.
As someone who works with laptops, I am seeing more and more models becoming unupgradable. Take my Huawei MateBook D15 as an example, I think that it is a brilliant budget laptop, but I wish I could upgrade the memory.
So it’s not only an Apple thing, but in general, I just wish Apple considered making their devices upgradable.
Speaking of upgradability, I also used to enjoy customising my PC. For instance, if I decided to change my desk setup, I would look for cases to match the new style. I loved the process of cable management and making my PC look aesthetically pleasing, an experience I don’t get with my MacBook Air.
4. Gaming
Last but not least, I’m going to say gaming. As someone who is coming from a gaming PC to a MacBook Air, I miss playing games. I’ll admit, it’s been a long time since I played a game on my gaming PC, even before upgrading.
But, I find that sometimes it’s just nice to sit down and play a game. I’m a big fan of games like EuroTruck Simulator 2, WarThunder and GTA V. But I’ve always preferred to play with a keyboard or a steering wheel.
I tend to enjoy gaming on a PC far more than on game consoles, but that’s just a personal preference.
Final Thoughts
Switching to macOS has been a great decision for me. It has provided a new desktop experience that aligns better with my current needs.
The clean interface and seamless integration with other Apple devices have enhanced my overall experience, making it more enjoyable and even improving my productivity.
However, despite my positive experience with macOS, Windows remains a solid operating system with features I still prefer. Snap Layouts in Windows 11 offer a fantastic way to manage open windows, making multitasking quick and easy. I also find File Explorer, especially in Windows 10, to be better than Finder for file management. The ability to upgrade hardware is another significant advantage of Windows devices, along with a better gaming experience.
Despite these preferences, macOS is better suited for my current computing needs. While Windows 11 has great potential, having used it since the early Insider Preview builds, I believe Microsoft still needs to make substantial improvements, particularly with File Explorer.
Have you switched from Windows to macOS or vice versa? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments!