How to switch between windows (tasks) in Mac OS X?

Question

macOS

How to work with windows in macbook? I don't understand some things at all.
Why can't I switch to the window with command-Tab if I minimized it [-] or closed it [x]?
What does the [+] button in the window title do? Why is she doing this? For iTunes, for example, it reduces the application to a size of 3 × 4 cm.
Why is there a “minimize window” button, but there is a “command-h” command that does about the same, but not the same? Is there any way to make the [-] button do the same as "command-h" and the [x] button do the same as "command-q"?
How much, when I maximize a window to full screen, do I actually get a window on a separate desktop, with all the ensuing features? And why should I watch a three-second movie with special effects "stretch the window" at the same time?
Here is another relevant quote fromgood article :

There are issues with switching between applications when frequently using command+tab with multi-window applications. It's hard to describe briefly. Something like when you switch between applications, and instead of the main window, you slip a window with font settings.

I will add to this that not only the window with the settings can slip in, but in general a completely left window. For example, it is impossible to switch to Skype if I previously closed the message window with the [x] button. And in the list accessible by command-tab, Skype honestly hangs.

Answer 1

Why can't I switch to the window with command-Tab if I minimized it [-] or closed it [x]?

You can hold down option(alt) while doing this.

Answer 2

> Why you can't switch to a window with command-Tab
Because command-Tab doesn't switch between windows. It switches between applications. Switches between windows of one application command + tilde.
> How much when I maximize the window to full screen, I actually get the window on a separate desktop
Because it is a button to maximize the window on a separate desktop.
> For example, it is impossible to switch to Skype if I previously closed it with the
Maybe button. You are switching to the Skype app. Which you just closed the window, yes. A screenshot of how to open it back can be viewed in the window menu.

Answer 3

For starters, on a Mac, an application and an application window are different things and have little dependence on each other.
In Win, if I opened a doc document, word starts. Closed - word is closed. On a Mac, when you close a document, word will unload everything unnecessary from memory, but will continue to be running (so that the next time you open the document instantly) until you do command + q or word->quit word to it. The organization of Mac OS allows you to make sure that you have a lot of running programs, and you absolutely do not notice
it. If you understand this, many questions will disappear.
Why can't I switch to the window with command-Tab if I minimized it [-] or closed it [x]?

Can. You will switch to the application itself, which has its window minimized or closed. It would be worse if the OS itself decided instead of you when to break your windows.
What does the [+] button in the window title do? Why is she doing this? For iTunes, for example, it reduces the application to a size of 3×4 cm

. so that, for example, the window is just the size of a web page, or a picture. But now this logic is sometimes violated by individual applications.
In MacOS, there is generally no habit of keeping windows maximized to full screen, as in win, because. the application menu is always on top, regardless of the size and location of the window. And it really is more convenient after getting used to it.
Why is there a “minimize window” button, but there is a “command-h” command that does about the same thing, but not the same?

These are completely different things. "command-h (hide)" instantly hidesall windows of the current application. And you can see what's underneath. Minimize Window - Minimizes all windows one by one.
Можно ли как-то заставить кнопку [-] делать то же, что и «command-h», а кнопку [x] то же, что и «command-q»?
What for? command + q is an exit from the application (by the way, a universal shortcut, unrolls everywhere , unlike win, in which there are a lot of variations on the theme). Close the document window is command + w (about the word window). In the case of a multi-tab window, the document is the tab, not the entire window.
How much, when I maximize a window to full screen, do I actually get a window on a separate desktop, with all the ensuing features? And why should I watch a three-second movie with special effects "stretch the window" at the same time?
Because it's a special full-screen mode. This is not the same as Maximize Window in Win. Just kill the habit of keeping all windows maximized - this is after windows for everyone.
Есть косяки с переключением между приложениями при частом использовании command+Tab с приложениями с несколькими окнами. Это сложно описать коротко. Что-то вроде того, когда переключаешься межу приложениями, а тебе вместо основного окна подсовывается окно с настройками шрифтов.
There are such jambs, eo bugs of developers with the wrong hands. Word sins like this
Например, невозможно переключиться на скайп, если до этого я закрыл кнопкой [x] окно сообщений. А в списке, доступном по command-tab, скайп честно висит.
. An indicator of the fact that you are in Skype is the menu bar. In it, the first item is always the name of the active application. The application can have all windows closed or disabled, then the operating system has nothing to show you from the windows, but it will show you the menu.

Answer 4

works everywhere, unlike win, in which there are a lot of variations on the theme)

Yes, where in Windows a lot of variations, then? Close Alt + F4 and Ctrl + F4 there, one thing closes the document (or tab), the second - the application. I haven’t worked on Windows for a long time, I don’t remember which of these things.

Answer 5

Why can't I switch to the window with command-Tab if I minimized it [-] or closed it [x]?

switching between programs: CMD+TAB
switching between windows of the same program: CMD+~

What does the [+] button in the window title do? Why is she doing this? For iTunes, for example, it reduces the application to a size of 3 × 4 cm.

It works exactly like the "expand" button in windows - it switches between the recommended size and the manually set one (iTunes is a small exception). If you want to expand to full screen, hold option and click on +.

I will add to this that not only the window with the settings can slip in, but in general a completely left window. For example, it is impossible to switch to Skype if I previously closed the message window with the [x] button. And in the list accessible by command-tab, Skype honestly hangs.

CMD+TAB switches between programs and honestly switches you to Skype. And you closed the Skype window and you need to open it ( CMD + TAB switched, CMD + 1 opened the main window). Again, giving an example from the Windows world - there Skype is minimized to tray when windows are closed and you have only one opportunity to open it - by clicking on the tray.

Something like when you switch between applications, and instead of the main window, you slip a window with font settings.

which window was in priority, this is slipped.

Answer 6

Didn't find a good answer. How to force cmd+tab to force show the window and not the application? I don't want to press cmd+t after cmd+tab to make the chrome tab appear. Extra action. Two years on a Mac, a lot of pluses, but alt-tab on Windows worked more conveniently.

Answer 7

Friends, tell me how to switch between two windows of different applications on the same desktop. The problem is that going from another desktop and pressing alt+tab on the current one immediately drags you back to that desktop. It would be cool if you could not switch to applications from other desktops with alt+tab (or similar).

Answer 8

I highly recommend this book to you: shop.oreilly.com/product/0636920025634.do

Answer 9

Sorry, it's not entirely clear why try to do with the mouse what can be done with simple commands faster? Just forget about crosses and other icons in the upper right corner of windows, this is unproductive.
I posted a number of my developments here: habrahabr.ru/post/148190/
Main:
1. we make a lot of desktops and put the necessary windows-projects on them (I don’t understand how it is possible without this, for the lack of a dozen desktops in the database, for example, this is the main why can't I use for windows work). It makes sense 10 tables to switch by Ctrl+0 - Ctrl+9.
2. Mission control: swipe up with 3-4 fingers or press F3 = you can instantly go to any window on the computer.
3. Switch between applications
a. hot gesture to the Application Switcher command in the MagicPrefs program. For example, I see all running applications as icons by placing 5 fingers on the touchpad.
b. Keyboard Maestro, Quicksilver - get into the desired programs with arbitrary hot keys.
in. if the program is pinned to the desktop - see item 1
4. Switching between windows within the program:
a. item 1 for different projects. On table No. 4 we code, on table No. 5 we calculate the project budget in Excel, on table No. 6 in the mail we quarrel with customers, on table No. 7 in the client bank we look at payments, everything is within Ctrl + number.
b. Expose - 3-4 fingers down or F6: You see all the windows of a particular application
in. Cmd+` = switch between windows.
What I see in the picture is just hell, why is it all on one desktop? If we move into a 10-room apartment, we don't eat-wash-sleep-work in the hallway, keeping the rest of the rooms empty. Much of what is in the picture is mixed on the same desktop and asks for full screen mode, but there are arrows at the top right. this is very convenient for applications with one window - browsers with a bunch of tabs, chats, calendar. Those. for example, I have Safari, Chrome, Calendar, Messages, for example, they don’t even occupy tables at all, they just exist abstractly by themselves, I get into them with hot keys, but all 10 tables are occupied by others.

Answer 10

Many thanks for the many comments. I've been on a poppy for a year, at first it was a lot of incomprehensibility like the author of the question. But then everything fell into place and I think that it is quite convenient. I made a bunch of desktops for myself, up to 5 pieces are enough for me, on the first browser, then instant messengers, IDE, iTunes, and it’s quite clear what and how everything is convenient. It is quite convenient to close programs with the keys, you don’t have to minimize them.

Answer 11

but I still don’t understand what is the difference between minimizing a window (when its preview is hanging in the dock) and hiding