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General considerations:  The PC window differs from the Mac window in that it can be maximized to cover the entire desktop, minimized to a button on the Taskbar and resized from any location along the window border.
PC window How to perform the following tasks:
Identify window elements
Open a window
Close a window
Minimize a window
Maximize/Restore a window
Size a window
Move a window
Scroll the contents of a window
Arrange multiple windows
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WINDOWS

IDENTIFY window elements:
PC MAC

All PC windows contain the same elements as shown in the illustration below:

PC window

NOTE:  Tool bars and the Status bar can be turned on or off through the View menu.
All Mac windows contain the same elements as shown in the illustration below:

Mac window

NOTE:  The Mac window has no Menu bar or Tool bars incorporated into its design.  The Menu bar for the active window is always located at the top of the desktop.

 
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WINDOWS

OPEN a window:
PC MAC

To open a window is to run a program or display a folder's contents.  

To open a window:

  • Launch an application.  The program will automatically open inside a window.
  • Activate the associated icon (this could be a program, folder, shortcut, etc.).

NOTE:  Windows generally open up in whatever condition they were last closed in.  For example; a window that was maximized when closed will automatically open as a maximized window.

 
This operation is the same as on a Mac.

 
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WINDOWS

CLOSE a window:
PC MAC

On a PC, to close a window is to remove it from the desktop and remove it from memory.

To close a window:

  • Click the Close button on the Title bar of the window.

    • Close illustration

  • Double-click the Control Menu box located at the far left side of the Title bar.
  • Open the File menu and select Close or Exit.

NOTE:  Closing a window is different than minimizing.  Closing removes the window from memory and frees system resources.

 
On the Mac, to close a window is to remove it from the desktop.   Closing a window, however, does not necessary remove it from memory, it depends on the content of the window.   Application windows (such as MS Word) are only removed from memory when you QUIT the program.

To close a window:

  • Click the Close button on the Title bar of the window.

    • Mac Title bar

 
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WINDOWS

MINIMIZE a window:
PC MAC

To minimize a window is to remove its appearance from the desktop but leave it running in memory.

To minimize a window:

  • Click the Minimize button on the Title bar of the window.

    • Minimize illustration

  • Right-click the associated button on the Task bar and select Minimize.

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TIP:  Minimize windows you intend to use again soon, otherwise, close them to free up memory.

 
There is no minimize operation on a Mac window.  The closest thing to it would be the   collapse/expand feature, sometimes referred to as a roll up.

To collapse/expand a window:

  • Click the collapse/expand button on the Title bar of the window. 

Roll up illustration

 
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WINDOWS

MAXIMIZE / RESTORE a window:
PC MAC

To maximize a window is to enlarge it to cover the entire desktop.   To restore a window is to return it to its original size and location on the desktop before maximizing. One button serves to toggle between the two conditions.

To maximize a window:

  • Click the Maximize button on the Title bar.

Maximize / Restore illustration

To restore a window:

  • Click the Restore button on the Title bar.

NOTE:  Windows can also be maximized and restored by right-clicking on the windows button on the Taskbar.

TIP:  Generally large applications, such as word processing programs, are run in a maximized window in order to provide the largest possible work space.

 
There is no maximize feature on a Mac window that will cause a window to cover the entire desktop.  However, there is a Zoom button that simulates the maximize operation to a lesser degree.

To zoom a window:

  • Click the Zoom button on the Title bar of the window.
    Zoom illustration
  • For maximum effect, hold down the Option key on the keyboard and click on the Zoom button on the Title bar.

NOTE:  To actually maximize a Mac window to cover the entire desktop you'll need to size it manually (see size a window).

 
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WINDOWS

SIZE a window:
PC MAC

To size a window means to change its physical size on the desktop by stretching its dimensions.  There are several ways to size a window on a PC.

To size a window:

  • Point to any window border (see Identify) to get the double-pointing arrowheads.  Drag the border to size the window.
  • Point to the sizing corner (lower right corner) or any corner of a window to get the double-pointing arrowheads. Drag the border to size the window.

NOTE:  A maximized window cannot be sized.

TIP:  Sizing a window by dragging a corner provides the opportunity to size both dimensions in one operation.

 
To size a window means to change its physical size on the desktop by stretching its dimensions.  There is only one way to size a window on a Mac.

To size a window:

  • Point to the Sizing box (see Identify) and drag the mouse to change the size of the window.

 
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WINDOWS

MOVE a window:
PC MAC

To move a window is to change its position on the desktop.  There is only one way to move a window on a PC.

To move a window:

  • Point to the Title bar (see Identify) and drag the window to its new location.

NOTE:  A maximized window cannot be moved.

 
To move a window is to change its position on the desktop.  There are several ways to move a window on a Mac.

To move a window:

  • Point to the Title bar (see Identify) and drag the window to its new location.
  • Point to a border (see Identify) and drag the window to its new location.

 
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WINDOWS

SCROLL the contents of a window:
PC MAC

To scroll the contents of a window implies that there objects in the window that you cannot currently see.  Scrolling moves hidden objects into view within the window.

To scroll the contents of a window:

  • Click on the arrow buttons on either side of the Scroll bar (see Identify).
  • Click inside an open area of the Scroll bar.
  • Drag the Scroll box inside the Scroll bar.

NOTE:  Aside from large application windows, scroll bars only appear when necessary.

TIP:  For additional information see Scrolling with a "wheel" mouse.

 
This feature is the same as on a PC.

 
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WINDOWS

ARRANGE multiple windows:
PC MAC

To arrange multiple windows implies that there are multiple windows currently open on the desktop.

To arrange multiple windows:

  • Right-click on an open area of the Taskbar and select the arrangement of your choice (cascade or tile) from the menu that appears.

Taskbar illustration

 
There are no specific commands for arranging multiple windows on a Mac.  All open windows must be arranged on the desktop by manually moving and sizing them.

 
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