The 6 steps I take to make Home windows 11 appear and feel extra like macOS

The graphical consumer interfaces of each Windows 11 and macOS Sequoia are already fairly related — in any case, each working programs have taken inspiration from each other for many years at this level.

That being mentioned, there are nonetheless quite a lot of apps, instruments, extensions, and different utilities that may take issues to the subsequent degree. They are saying that imitation is the sincerest type of flattery, and so listed below are 5 issues you are able to do to show your Windows 11 PC into one thing resembling more of a Mac.

1 Middle your Home windows 11 taskbar

The best option to bestow a Mac-like look onto your Home windows desktop

By far probably the most straight ahead and user-accessible technique of macOS-ifying your Home windows PC’s interface, is by opting to heart your taskbar. The choice is ready this fashion by default on contemporary installations of Home windows 11, however in case it isn’t, observe these steps:

1. Click on on the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Personalization > Taskbar.
3. Scroll down till you see Taskbar behaviors.
4. Click on on the Taskbar alignment drop-down menu after which click on on Middle.

Identical to that, all of your pinned icons might be shuffled to the middle of your taskbar, versus the traditional left-justification. This format has its execs and cons when in comparison with the standard Home windows type, however it undoubtedly offers a extra macOS dock-like appear and feel.

In case your PC runs Windows 10, then you definately will not discover the choice to heart your taskbar throughout the Settings app. As an alternative, you will must depend on third-party utilities — some widespread options on the market embody:

Associated

What are the new macOS features you can’t access on an Intel Mac?

Surprisingly, there are solely a few macOS Sequoia options which might be unique to Apple-silicon {hardware}.

2 Invert the colour of your mouse cursor

A easy pallette swap can go a good distance

For a few years, Home windows has shipped with a white coloured mouse cursor by default. In distinction, macOS has historically include a black cursor out-of-the-box. Fortunately, it is somewhat straightforward to customise the looks of the arrow pointer throughout each working programs.

To be able to swap your default Home windows cursor from its regular white colour to one thing extra akin to macOS, observe these steps:

1. Navigate to the Settings app through the Begin Menu, the search interface, or the Fast Settings panel.
2. Head to Bluetooth & units > Mouse > Mouse Pointer > Mouse pointer type.
3. Faucet or click on on the Black pointer theme to pick out it.

Associated

Microsoft announces new AI features, security measures for Windows 11

The tech large is upgrading Home windows 11’s Copilot and AI toolsets, together with bringing again Timeline in a safer trend.qq`

3 Obtain the Movement Launcher app

Movement Launcher

A macOS Highlight-esque app that brings speedy file looking capabilities to Home windows.

In case you’re one of many many individuals who disapprove of Microsoft’s fashionable OS search implementation throughout the Start Menu, then Movement Launcher is a good various. The app is free and open-source, and it is analogous in design to Apple’s wonderful Mac Spotlight search interface.

The app consists of choices to configure a customizable hotkey to set off the search window, quite a lot of theming choices, in addition to a whole community-driven ecosystem of plugins. Alternatively, the free Fluent Search app obtainable on the Microsoft Retailer affords the same expertise, with a easy design that extra carefully resembles Fluent Design principles.

Associated

I improve my Windows 11 performance with these 7 easy tricks

Home windows 11 feeling sluggish? 7 of the very best methods to troubleshoot and increase efficiency with step-by-step directions.

4 Obtain the QuickLook app

Unlock a macOS Preview-style expertise for Home windows

QuickLook

An app that brings a macOS-like Preview interface to the Home windows OS.

One of the vital helpful macOS options is the built-in Fast Look Preview instrument, which lets you shortly look at nearly any file, with out having to open a devoted app to take action. In case you’re transitioning over from macOS to Home windows and miss the comfort of Preview, then the free QuickLook app is a must-download.

The app works equally to its macOS equivalent, permitting you to ‘peak’ at paperwork, photos, movies, and extra just by highlighting a file and urgent the Spacebar. QuickLook works like a attraction whereas providing a pleasing design language, and for my part, it bridges a serious hole between macOS and Home windows.

Associated

I’ve been using Mirroring to control my iPhone from my Mac, and it’s surprisingly useful

Controlling your iPhone out of your Mac with iPhone Mirroring could be surprisingly helpful

5 Obtain all the suite of Apple-published apps from the Microsoft Retailer

Sure, Apple publishes apps on the Microsoft Retailer, and so they’re fairly good

The legacy iTunes program has been obtainable for Home windows PCs for a lot of, a few years now, however it’s akin to abandonware in 2024. Fortunately, Apple has just lately taken the freedom to port over a few of its main service-based apps to the Microsoft Retailer on Home windows.

It goes with out saying that if you wish to make your Home windows 11 PC function extra like a Mac, then downloading these Apple apps is a should. They’re surprisingly well-built, benefiting from Microsoft’s newest improvement instruments and interface tips. Whereas we could not have iMessage or FaceTime apps on Home windows anytime quickly, there is a rising choice of apps obtainable from Apple.

The next Apple-published apps can be found for obtain instantly from the Microsoft Retailer:

Moreover, should you use a Chromium-based internet browser like Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome in your Home windows PC, then contemplate downloading Apple’s iCloud Passwords extension for some added internet login integration.

Associated

How I customize Windows 11’s taskbar to make it truly my own

These are the guidelines and tips I take advantage of to tweak my Home windows 11 taskbar.

6 Obtain the MyDockFinder app

The perfect all-in-one answer for a complete macOS makeover

MyDockFinder

A full-fledged Home windows Shell substitute app that brings the macOS dock and menu bar expertise to Microsoft’s OS.

Final however not least, should you actually wish to remodel your Home windows 11 working system into one thing carefully resembling macOS, then there’s the nuclear selection: MyDockFinder. This app ports over the Mac dock, menu bar, Management Middle, and different interfaces to Home windows, whereas additionally providing extra customization choices from the get-go.

MyDockFinder could be downloaded through the Steam storefront, with a one-time payment of $5. There are different third-party choices obtainable for emulating the macOS interface — together with Rainmeter, RocketDock, and others — however I discover MyDockFinder to be probably the most polished and least fiddly choice on the market.

Associated

These 12 third-party macOS utility apps are a cut above the rest

macOS is house to a wealthy choice of third-party utilities — these are the very best apps I can’t reside with out.