7 Window Management Tips for Multitasking on a Mac

When it comes to multitasking on a Mac, effective window management is key. With the right tools and techniques, you can easily switch between multiple windows, organize them on your desktop, and boost your productivity. In this article, we'll share seven window management tips to help you get the most out of your Mac.

1. Use Mission Control

Mission Control is a powerful feature built into macOS that lets you view and manage all your open windows in one place. To activate Mission Control, simply swipe up with three or four fingers on your trackpad, or press the Mission Control button (F3) on your keyboard.

Once you're in Mission Control, you can drag and drop windows to different desktops, create new desktops, and even customize the order and layout of your desktops. This is especially useful for organizing different tasks or projects into separate desktops, so you can switch between them quickly and easily.

2. Split Your Screen

If you want to work on two windows side by side, macOS has a built-in Split View feature that lets you do just that. To use Split View, click and hold the green full-screen button in the top-left corner of a window, then drag the window to the left or right side of the screen. Next, select another window to fill the remaining space.

Once you've set up Split View, you can adjust the size of each window by dragging the divider between them. To exit Split View, simply click the green full-screen button again.

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a quick and easy way to manage your windows without having to reach for your mouse or trackpad. Here are some useful keyboard shortcuts for window management on a Mac:

Command + Tab: Switch between open apps

Command + `: Switch between open windows in the same app

Command + H: Hide the active app

Command + M: Minimize the active window

Command + N: Open a new window in the active app

Command + W: Close the active window

Command + Q: Quit the active app

By memorizing these shortcuts, you can save time and increase your efficiency when working with multiple windows.

4. Use a Window Manager App

If you want more advanced window management options, you can use a third-party app like Magnet or BetterSnapTool. These apps let you easily resize, snap, and move windows around your desktop using customizable keyboard shortcuts or simple drag-and-drop gestures.

For example, with Magnet, you can snap windows to different parts of your screen by dragging them to the edges or corners. With BetterSnapTool, you can create custom window-snapping grids, set up keyboard shortcuts for different window arrangements, and even save window layouts as presets.

5. Hide Inactive Windows

If you have a lot of windows open at once, it can be difficult to focus on the task at hand. One way to minimize distractions is to hide inactive windows using the built-in Hide feature in macOS. To hide an app, simply click the yellow minimize button in the top-left corner of the window, or use the Command + H keyboard shortcut.

By hiding inactive windows, you can declutter your desktop and focus on the windows that are most important to you.

6. Use Multiple Desktops

If you find yourself switching between multiple apps and Windows throughout the day, it can be helpful to use multiple desktops to organize your workspace. With multiple desktops, you can have different windows and apps open on each desktop, allowing you to switch between them quickly and easily.

To create a new desktop, simply swipe up with three or four fingers on your trackpad to activate Mission Control, then click the "+" button in the top-right corner. From there, you can drag and drop windows to different desktops,

7. Use the Dock

The Dock is a convenient way to launch and switch between apps, but it can also be used for window management. If you have multiple windows open in the same app, you can right-click or Control-click on the app icon in the Dock to access a list of all open windows. From there, you can select the window you want to work on or choose to minimize or close all windows in that app.