Set Up a New Mac Coming From Windows: First-Week Checklist | Macfolio
How to Set Up a New Mac Coming From Windows: First-Week Checklist
Set up a new Mac in order: Windows Migration Assistant, scrolling, Dock, Finder, passwords, window snapping, FileVault, and Time Machine. One step a day for a week.
Set up a new Mac in this order: transfer your files with Windows Migration Assistant, fix scrolling and right-click, tidy the Dock and Finder, import your passwords, add window snapping, turn on FileVault, and start Time Machine. That covers what Windows switchers ask about most, and each step takes five to fifteen minutes. Do one a day and you are done in a week.
Apple has a short "Switched from Windows to Mac?" page, and Reddit threads like r/macbookpro's "First Mac ever. Coming from Windows, what settings should I change first?" show the same worries repeating. This checklist puts the answers in order. Setting labels follow Apple's current guides and can differ a little between macOS versions.
Step 1: How do I transfer files from a Windows PC to a Mac?
Use Windows Migration Assistant. It copies data from your PC to the Mac and leaves the PC untouched. It does not move programs, so every Windows app has to be reinstalled as a Mac version or replaced.
Before you start, update Windows and macOS, quit your apps, and turn off antivirus, firewall, and VPN software on both machines. Download the Windows Migration Assistant version that matches your Mac's macOS from Apple's page. Version 3.2.0.0 supports Windows 10 or later and macOS Sequoia 15, Tahoe 26, and newer. Older Macs need an older version. Then open Migration Assistant on the Mac (it also appears during first setup as "From a Windows PC"), run the app on the PC, and enter the code the Mac shows.
Windows Migration Assistant copies your data and leaves the PC alone. Image: Apple Support
Shotbase is a comprehensive tool designed to capture and manage all your screen-based content effortlessly. With features like stunning screenshot capabilities, recording options that include cinematic effects, and an intuitive organizational structure powered by local AI, you can easily keep your multimedia assets organized and accessible. Shotbase not only allows you to capture specific areas, windows, or full screens on your Mac but also enables you to edit and enhance your captures with backgrounds, frames, and annotations. The integrated AI ensures your captures are automatically named and tagged for easy searching, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and creativity in one seamless workspace.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
DeskMinder
For Easily Distracted Minds
Freemium
DeskMinder is a productivity software application designed for Mac users who struggle with distractions. It provides a straightforward interface for creating desktop pop-up reminders and tasks, helping users manage urgent to-dos, short breaks, and fleeting ideas. With features like full-screen notifications and Apple Reminders integration, DeskMinder aims to enhance focus and time management for i
- With features like easy-to-create desktop pop-ups for reminders and tasks, it simplifies the process of staying on top of urgent to-dos, short breaks, or fleeting ideas.
- Users can benefit from full-screen notifications, Apple Reminders integration, and flexible widget placement, making it ideal for anyone requiring a little extra help to maintain focus.
- The app includes additional shortcuts for quick reminder setups and customizable widget options, along with a history tracking feature to monitor daily progress.
Designed specifically for Mac users, DeskMinder aims to facilitate better time management and productivity for those with attention challenges, providing a seamless user experience without unnecessary complexity.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Klack
Satisfying sound with every keystroke
Paid
Klack is a macOS application designed to enhance the typing experience through high-fidelity sound for each keystroke. It provides features such as immersive spatial audio, instant feedback, and customizable sound options, making it suitable for writers, developers, and anyone who values an engaging typing environment. The app is easily accessible from the menubar and offers extensive configuratio
- Provides immersive spatial audio for enhanced typing feedback.
- Allows customization of keystroke sounds, pitch variations, and volume settings.
- Features a menubar interface for quick access to configuration options.
- Supports instant feedback with each keystroke for a more engaging experience.
- Designed for writers and developers seeking auditory feedback while typing.
Klack enhances the typing experience on Mac by providing high-fidelity sound for each keystroke.
SoftwaremacOS
TypoTab
TypoTab, the ultimate AI writing assistant for
Paid
TypoTab is a macOS application that functions as an AI-driven writing assistant. It enhances writing efficiency by providing tools for grammar correction, text rephrasing, and content generation, all accessible from the menu bar without needing to switch applications. This tool is designed for writers, students, and professionals looking to streamline their writing process and improve productivity
- Provides grammar correction and text rephrasing directly from the menu bar.
- Allows text refinement in any application without switching contexts.
- Offers customizable actions to meet individual writing needs.
- Streamlines repetitive writing tasks for improved efficiency.
- Supports a wide range of applications, enhancing workflow across platforms.
TypoTab is a macOS application that enhances writing efficiency by providing grammar correction, text rephrasing, and content generation directly from the menu bar. It allows users to refine text in any application without switching contexts, offering customizable actions to suit individual writing needs.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
MAO
Coordinate coding agents on a shared canvas
One-time
MAO is a desktop workspace for developers who use more than one coding agent. Connect agents on a canvas to hand work from a planner to a builder or reviewer. Each agent uses its own CLI and your existing provider login.
- Give parallel tasks separate Git worktrees so agents can edit different branches of the same project.
- Send one prompt to selected agents and see which sessions need input or approval.
- Connect a browser to an agent so it can test a form and capture the result.
- Schedule recurring prompts, or save a team’s roles and connections for another project.
- Open a remote workspace over SSH to run agents on a Linux server from your desktop.
Runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, Windows, and Linux. The seven-day trial covers one project. A one-time license costs $20 in most countries and unlocks unlimited projects, saved teams, and remote workspaces.
SoftwareDevelopmentmacOS
Dabbit
Pick screen colors and turn them into Figma palettes
One-time
Dabbit is a Mac color picker for designers and developers. Sample a pixel on any display, save it to a palette, and use the same colors in your code and Figma files.
- Copy a color as hex, RGB, OKLCH, or SwiftUI. Set a preferred format for each app.
- Revisit earlier picks by time and source app, or keep a floating palette above your work.
- Build an 11-step OKLCH shade scale from one color and check text contrast with WCAG and APCA.
- Import colors from an image, website CSS, or a tokens file. Export palettes for Tailwind or SwiftUI.
- Send a palette to Figma as variables, color styles, or a labeled swatch sheet using the included plugin.
Requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later. A $19 single-Mac license includes 12 months of updates; the purchased version keeps working afterward. A five-day trial includes all features.
SoftwareDesignmacOS
Double Shot
Free open-source Mac app that keeps your Mac awake for AI agents
Free
Double Shot is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app that keeps your Mac awake, with the lid closed too, and for as long as your AI coding agents are working.
- Detects when Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, Cursor Agent, Copilot CLI, OpenCode, Amp or Aider are actually working, not just open.
- Lid closed mode uses pmset disablesleep, with a one-time password prompt that adds a sudoers rule.
- Stops at the first warm level, turns the dark display off, switches on Low Power Mode on battery, and lets go when the battery gets low.
- Quick picks from 15 minutes to 5 hours, or until you turn it off.
- MIT licensed. Install with Homebrew or download from GitHub. Not notarized by Apple yet, and it needs macOS 14 or later.
Double Shot suits anyone who starts a long agent run, closes the lid and expects the work to carry on.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
Peek
Glance at websites and widgets with a shortcut
Free
Peek is a native Mac app that brings frequently checked information into a personal overlay. Hold a shortcut to glance at it, release to return to your work, or tap the shortcut to keep it open and interact.
Combine websites, local PDFs, and widgets such as Calendar, Reminders, and time zones in one space. Arrange and resize content freely, or use Flow mode to organize your layout. Hide unwanted page elements and block ads, trackers, and cookie banners.
Set custom keyboard shortcuts, including separate left and right modifier keys. Peek works across multiple monitors and full-screen spaces, with per-display layouts or synced widgets. Optional auto-refresh keeps pages current, and you can open content in its default app when you want to continue outside the overlay. The site also lists passkey support and experimental web extensions.
Use it to check analytics beside your calendar, review GitHub pull requests and Linear issues while coding, or gather visual references from websites without switching away from your current app.
Available free on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 14.2 or later.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Cap
The open source screen recorder
Freemium
Cap is an open-source screen recorder for Mac, Windows, and Linux that works as a Loom alternative, with instant share links and a local Studio Mode.
- Instant Mode records and uploads at once so you get a shareable link as you stop.
- Studio Mode records locally with a full editor and exports up to 4K at 60 fps.
- Free for personal use. A Desktop License ($29 a year, or $58 once) adds commercial rights, and Cap Pro ($12 per user a month) adds unlimited cloud sharing.
- Open source, with a self-hosting option.
Cap suits people who want a Loom-style workflow without being locked into one vendor.
SoftwareCreativemacOS
What comes across, according to Apple: email, contacts, and calendars from Outlook or Windows Mail, bookmarks from Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, your documents and files, music, photos, and your wallpaper and language settings. Photos land in your Home folder, so add them to the Photos app yourself. Files from other disks go into a Shared folder. Large transfers can take hours, so start one in the evening.
If it fails, copy your files with an external drive or a shared network folder instead. Apple's page suggests running chkdsk on the PC first.
Step 2: How do I fix mouse and trackpad scrolling on a Mac?
Open System Settings, then Trackpad (or Mouse). Under Point & Click, turn on Tap to click if you want it, and check Secondary click, which is the Mac's right-click. Under Scroll & Zoom, Natural scrolling is on by default, which moves content like a phone. Turn it off if it feels backwards. Mac users are split on this, so test it for a day before deciding.
A third-party mouse is trickier, because the Windows defaults rarely feel right. The Mouse pane has its own scrolling and tracking settings, and LinearMouse goes further per device: reverse scrolling for the mouse only, scroll distance, pointer acceleration, and button remapping. It is free.
LinearMouse reverses scrolling for the mouse without touching the trackpad. Image: LinearMouse
LinearMouseCustomize mouse and trackpad behavior on MacVisit WebsiteLinearMouse is a free, open-source utility that gives external mice and trackpads separate, Windows-like behavior on macOS.
- Set scroll direction and speed per device, so a mouse can differ from the trackpad.
- Turn off pointer acceleration for a linear, predictable cursor.
- Remap mouse buttons and modifier-key scrolling.
- Free and MIT licensed.
LinearMouse suits anyone whose mouse feels wrong on a Mac after moving from Windows.Visit Website
Step 3: How do I set up the Dock like the Windows taskbar?
Open System Settings, then Desktop & Dock. Set the size, turn on Magnification if you want it, and choose the position. Turn on "Automatically hide and show the Dock" if you want the screen space back. You can also turn off "Show suggested and recent apps in Dock" to stop surprise icons.
Then drag the apps you use most into the Dock and drag the ones you do not out. On a Mac, the Dock is closer to Pinned apps than to Start. Apple's switcher guide says the same thing. A dot under an icon means the app is running, and you can turn those indicators on or off in the same panel.
Step 4: What Finder settings should I change first?
Open Finder, then Settings (Command-Comma). Check these:
General: choose what new Finder windows show, such as Downloads or Documents, instead of Recents.
Advanced: turn on "Show all filename extensions." Windows users expect to see .docx and .pdf, and hidden extensions make files harder to identify.
Advanced: turn on "Keep folders on top," which matches File Explorer.
Sidebar: add the folders you actually use.
Press Option-Command-P to show the path bar at the bottom of the window, which works like Explorer's address bar. The rest of Finder's quirks, like Return to rename, are in our Mac keyboard shortcuts for Windows users cheat sheet.
If Finder still annoys you after a week, Folders adds a File Explorer-style folder tree. It is $14.99 one time, with a 14-day trial.
Folders is a Finder alternative with an Explorer-style tree. Image: Folders
FoldersA file manager for Windows switchersVisit WebsiteFolders is a file manager application for macOS that provides a folder tree layout, catering specifically to users transitioning from Windows. It offers a range of features including easy navigation, comprehensive file operations, and integration with cloud storage services. Designed for both new and experienced users, Folders aims to enhance file management efficiency on Mac systems.
- Provides a folder tree layout for intuitive navigation, similar to Windows Explorer.
- Supports batch renaming and file conflict resolution for efficient file management.
- Integrates with iCloud Drive and other cloud storage services for centralized access.
- Offers multiple viewing options: Table, List, Icons, and Gallery.
- Includes a powerful search function with Spotlight integration and saved searches.
- Allows customization of themes and folder icons for personalized organization.
Folders is a file manager for macOS that emulates the folder tree structure familiar to Windows users. It offers a range of features including comprehensive file operations, customizable themes, and powerful search capabilities. Users can manage files across various cloud services and utilize batch renaming and conflict resolution tools.Visit Website
Step 5: How does Spotlight replace the Start menu search?
Press Command-Space, type an app, file, or setting, and press Return. That is your Start menu search. In macOS Tahoe 26 and later, Spotlight also keeps clipboard history, which is the Mac's Win+V: press Command-Space, then Command-4. Spotlight may ask you to allow clipboard results first.
Step 6: Should I use iCloud Drive like OneDrive?
iCloud Drive is the closest match to OneDrive. In Finder Settings under General, "Sync Desktop & Documents folders" puts those two folders in iCloud so they appear on your iPhone and other Macs. Only turn it on if you have enough iCloud storage, and note that Finder warns you before removing files from iCloud Drive. If you already use OneDrive or Google Drive, install their Mac apps instead and skip this.
Step 7: How do I move passwords from Chrome or another manager to a Mac?
Export a CSV from your current password manager or from Chrome's password settings. Open the Passwords app, choose File, then Import Passwords from File, pick the CSV, and click Import. Imported entries are added to what is already there. Delete the CSV afterward, because it holds your passwords in plain text. If you use 1Password or Bitwarden, install their Mac app and sign in instead.
Step 8: How do I snap windows and switch between them on a Mac?
macOS Sequoia 15 and later can tile windows with Fn-Control and the arrow keys, and by dragging a window to a screen edge. For quarters, thirds, and more control, Rectangle is free and uses Control-Option shortcuts.
Rectangle snaps windows to halves, quarters, and thirds. Image: Rectangle
RectangleMove and snap windows with shortcuts or dragVisit WebsiteRectangle is a free, open-source window manager that adds Windows-style snapping to macOS, using keyboard shortcuts or screen-edge snap areas.
- Snap windows to halves, thirds, quarters, or full screen.
- Drag a window to an edge or corner to snap it, like Windows Snap.
- Move windows between displays with a shortcut.
- Free. Rectangle Pro is a one-time upgrade with more features.
Rectangle suits people who want fast window layouts without the setup of a tiling manager.Visit Website
AltTab brings Windows-style previews to Option-Tab. Image: AltTab
AltTabWindows-style Alt-Tab with window previewsVisit WebsiteAltTab brings a Windows-style window switcher to the Mac, with a live preview of every open window instead of one icon per app.
- Switches between individual windows, including several windows of the same app.
- Shows live thumbnails across Spaces and screens, plus minimized and hidden windows.
- Close, minimize, hide, or quit a window right from the switcher.
- Free and open source. Pro adds search, extra styles, and more shortcuts as a one-time purchase.
AltTab suits anyone who misses Alt-Tab after moving from Windows.Visit Website
Step 9: Should I turn on FileVault?
Yes, for a laptop. Macs with Apple silicon or a T2 chip already encrypt the drive, and FileVault adds the requirement to enter your login password to unlock it. Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security, then FileVault, and turn it on. You choose between unlocking with your iCloud account or a recovery key. If you pick the key, store it somewhere safe, because losing it can mean losing your data.
Step 10: How do I set up Time Machine on a new Mac?
Connect an external drive, then open System Settings, General, Time Machine, and choose Add Backup Disk. Apple recommends a drive at least twice the capacity of your Mac that you use only for backups. Setup may erase the drive, and you can encrypt the backup. Backups run hourly for 24 hours, daily for a month, and weekly after that. The first one is slow, so leave it overnight.
A drive formatted for Windows (exFAT or NTFS) usually needs reformatting for Time Machine, which is another reason to buy a separate drive.
Time Machine needs a dedicated external drive. Image: Apple Support
Step 11: How do I learn the Mac shortcuts quickly?
Start with Command in place of Ctrl, then learn the five that differ: Command-Q to quit, Command-Tab to switch apps, Option-Command-Esc to force quit, Shift-Command-5 for screenshots, and Return to rename. The full table is in our Mac keyboard shortcuts for Windows users guide.
FAQ
What should I do first when I get a new Mac coming from Windows?
Transfer your files with Windows Migration Assistant, then fix scrolling, the Dock, and Finder settings. Leave backups and FileVault for later in the first week.
Can I move programs from Windows to a Mac?
No. Windows Migration Assistant transfers data and settings, not Windows apps. Reinstall the Mac version of each app.
Should I turn off natural scrolling on a Mac?
It is a preference. Try the default for a few days, since many people adapt. If you use a mouse, LinearMouse can reverse the mouse alone.
Does Windows Migration Assistant delete anything from my PC?
No. It copies your data and leaves the PC as it was.
Can I use a Windows hard drive for Time Machine?
A drive formatted for Windows generally needs to be erased and reformatted, and Time Machine asks about that during setup. Use a drive you can dedicate to backups.
Is a Mac harder to learn after Windows?
Most people feel at home within a week or two. The first week is mainly muscle memory: Command instead of Ctrl, and the Dock instead of the taskbar.
MAO is a desktop workspace for developers who use more than one coding agent. Connect agents on a canvas to hand work from a planner to a builder or reviewer. Each agent uses its own CLI and your existing provider login.
- Give parallel tasks separate Git worktrees so agents can edit different branches of the same project.
- Send one prompt to selected agents and see which sessions need input or approval.
- Connect a browser to an agent so it can test a form and capture the result.
- Schedule recurring prompts, or save a team’s roles and connections for another project.
- Open a remote workspace over SSH to run agents on a Linux server from your desktop.
Runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs, Windows, and Linux. The seven-day trial covers one project. A one-time license costs $20 in most countries and unlocks unlimited projects, saved teams, and remote workspaces.
SoftwareDevelopmentmacOS
Dabbit
Pick screen colors and turn them into Figma palettes
One-time
Dabbit is a Mac color picker for designers and developers. Sample a pixel on any display, save it to a palette, and use the same colors in your code and Figma files.
- Copy a color as hex, RGB, OKLCH, or SwiftUI. Set a preferred format for each app.
- Revisit earlier picks by time and source app, or keep a floating palette above your work.
- Build an 11-step OKLCH shade scale from one color and check text contrast with WCAG and APCA.
- Import colors from an image, website CSS, or a tokens file. Export palettes for Tailwind or SwiftUI.
- Send a palette to Figma as variables, color styles, or a labeled swatch sheet using the included plugin.
Requires an Apple silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later. A $19 single-Mac license includes 12 months of updates; the purchased version keeps working afterward. A five-day trial includes all features.
SoftwareDesignmacOS
Max Stand
A floating AirPods Max stand that charges through a magnetic port connector.
HardwareDesk SetupmacOS
Max Charging Stand
An AirPods Max charging stand with sleep mode and a Qi pad for earbuds.
HardwareDesk SetupmacOS
Nanotac AirPods Max Stand (MagFit)
An aluminum AirPods Max stand with a MagSafe charger slot for an iPhone.
HardwareDesk SetupmacOS
MX Keys S
A full-size wireless keyboard with smart backlighting and three-device switching.
HardwareKeyboards & MicemacOS
Double Shot
Free open-source Mac app that keeps your Mac awake for AI agents
Free
Double Shot is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app that keeps your Mac awake, with the lid closed too, and for as long as your AI coding agents are working.
- Detects when Claude Code, Codex, Gemini CLI, Cursor Agent, Copilot CLI, OpenCode, Amp or Aider are actually working, not just open.
- Lid closed mode uses pmset disablesleep, with a one-time password prompt that adds a sudoers rule.
- Stops at the first warm level, turns the dark display off, switches on Low Power Mode on battery, and lets go when the battery gets low.
- Quick picks from 15 minutes to 5 hours, or until you turn it off.
- MIT licensed. Install with Homebrew or download from GitHub. Not notarized by Apple yet, and it needs macOS 14 or later.
Double Shot suits anyone who starts a long agent run, closes the lid and expects the work to carry on.
SoftwareUtilitiesmacOS
Peek
Glance at websites and widgets with a shortcut
Free
Peek is a native Mac app that brings frequently checked information into a personal overlay. Hold a shortcut to glance at it, release to return to your work, or tap the shortcut to keep it open and interact.
Combine websites, local PDFs, and widgets such as Calendar, Reminders, and time zones in one space. Arrange and resize content freely, or use Flow mode to organize your layout. Hide unwanted page elements and block ads, trackers, and cookie banners.
Set custom keyboard shortcuts, including separate left and right modifier keys. Peek works across multiple monitors and full-screen spaces, with per-display layouts or synced widgets. Optional auto-refresh keeps pages current, and you can open content in its default app when you want to continue outside the overlay. The site also lists passkey support and experimental web extensions.
Use it to check analytics beside your calendar, review GitHub pull requests and Linear issues while coding, or gather visual references from websites without switching away from your current app.
Available free on the Mac App Store. Requires macOS 14.2 or later.
SoftwareProductivitymacOS
Mac mini 11-in-1 Docking Station
A Mac mini M4 dock with an 8TB-capable NVMe slot and card readers.
