UsableMacOS

Make a Mac nearly usable for a Windows user

Introduction

For most installations, you will need Homebrew installed on your Mac.

You will have to grant permissions to each app for various features. Just read what they are asking for — everything is explained.

Some of the app may be blocked by MacOS, you need to allow them in "Privacy & Security" settings

Every configuration I provide below reflects my personal preferences; you are free to change them.

Each configuration line represents changes I made from the default setup or important adjustments if your default configuration differs.

Karabiner-Elements (15.5.0) - Keyboard remapper

Install

brew install --cask karabiner-elements

Config

Under "Devices"

• Disable "Modify events" for all native devices (like internal keyboard and trackpad for a MacBook)
• Enable "Modify Events" and "Ignore vendor events" for your Windows devices (keyboard and mouse)

Under "Complex modifications" use "Add your own Rule" for each

• Spotlight on Win
• Finder on Win+E
• Settings on Win+I
• Lock on Win+L
• Emojis on Win+Space
• Menu bar on Ctrl+ClickR (will be effective after the "meuanywhere" step)
• Terminal on F4 (will replace spotlight on F4)
• Swap Cmd and Ctrl
• Swap Ctrl and Alt for Arrows
  • Arrow move to previous/next char
  • Ctrl+Arrow move to previous/next word
  • Alt+Arrow move start/end of line
  • Shift modifier make previous modifiers do a selection
• Swap Ctrl and Alt for Backspace
  • Backspace delete a char
  • Ctrl+Backspace delete a word
  • Alt+Backspace delete the line

The order of modifications matter, respect it After this, your key bindings will be active. Keep in mind that the logical key shown in software may not match the physical key you pressed.

MOS (3.5.0) - Mouse fine-tuning

Install

brew install --cask mos

Config

Under "General"

• Reverse Scroll
• Launch on Login
• Hide Status Bar Icon

Scroll To Zoom (1.0.5) - In-app zoom (and not OS zoom)

Install

Get the latest realease, unzip it and put it in your "Applications" folder

Config

• Use Scroll gesture to zoom with ⌘ (physical key: Ctrl)
• Fingers up to zoom in
• Allow Mgic Mouse gestures
• Launch Scroll To Zoom at login

AltTab (7.30.0) - Alt+Tab by window (and not by app)

Install

brew install --cask alt-tab

Config

Under "General"

• Start at login

Under "Controls"

• Trigger shortcut: Hold ⌥ and press ⇥ (physical keys: Alt+Tab)
• Show apps with no open window: Hide

Under "Appearance"

• Show on: Screen including mouse

MenuAnywhere (1.0.6) - Make the top menu bar avaiblable anywhere

Install

You need XCode installed on your Mac.

brew tap acsandmann/tap
brew install menuanywhere

Config

• Create the config file: mkdir -p ~/.config/menuanywhere && [ ! -f ~/.config/menuanywhere/config.json ] && touch ~/.config/menuanywhere/config.json
• Copy the config inside

Restart your Mac for the configuration to take effect.

Maccy (2.5.1) - Clipboard Manager

Install

brew install --cask maccy

Config

Under "General"

• Launch at login
• Open ⌃V (physical keys: Win+V)
• Paste automatically