There are many keyboard shortcuts found on a Mac, some of which are very difficult to decipher if you’re coming from another system, like putting an at sign in macOS. However, there are others that may not be as useful on a daily basis and are just as useful. In my case, I use several, but lately I’m discovering two a lot.
These are two shortcuts with very specific uses: remove hidden files and block processes when they crash. The latter is more fundamental than it seems and, although it is not as hidden as the first, it is not always remembered and is extremely useful for restarting applications (even Finder).
All hidden files by pressing three keys
Sometimes even users who have been using macOS for years don’t know this trick. Not long ago I explained how to free up space on your Mac with a key combination that is none other than the following:
Command (⌘) + Shift (⇧) + Period (.)
It doesn’t matter in what order we press them, the main thing is that all three are pressed at the same time at some point. If we place ourselves in any folder on your Mac via Finder and by pressing it we can see all the hidden files on the computer.
In this commented article I have linked it to freeing up space on the Mac because on many occasions we find files that, although they are not very heavy individually, can weigh a lot together. Of course, not all hidden items mean they can be removed, as some are necessary. I am referring more to old versions of certain documents, which in most cases remain linked in the iCloud Drive, Desktop, Downloads and Documents folder.
In connection with the latter, the possibility of recover some old files
Best shortcut to close apps when they crash
No, I’m not referring to the classic order + Q completely close an application, but rather what to do when the application has been blocked and we cannot close it with classic methods. If you go to the Apple menu You will see that there is an option called “Force Quit”. Well, if you look closely, they also show a quick shortcut to access it.
Option/Alt (⌥) + Command (⌘) + Esc
When we press these keys, a small window opens showing all the applications open at that time. In fact, when they are blocked, they usually appear red, indicating that they are not working well. The fact is that we can select the application and click the “Force Quit” button‘ so that it closes completely.
The disadvantage is that, for example, in a text document changes may not be saved. However, it’s meant to be used when there’s no way to get it back, so it’s a loss we were going to have to take anyway. It also works with Finder, although in this case you will see the ‘Restart’ option appear, since it is not a tool that can be closed completely, although it can restart its processes in case they are blocked .
Cover image | Olia Danilevich on Pexels
In Applesfera | Seven apps only on macOS that are much more worth buying a Mac
In Applesfera | Don’t throw away your old Macbook, you can give it a second life by converting it into a Chromebook