# Keyboard Differences: Windows vs Mac

> How Windows and Mac keyboards handle keys, shortcuts, and symbols differently.
- Title: Keyboard Differences: Windows vs Mac · Unsung | Shortify
- Summary: How Windows and Mac keyboards handle keys, shortcuts, and symbols differently. Windows and Mac keyboards use different key names, symbols, and shortcuts for…
- Keywords: windows, mac, keyboard, shortcuts, symbols, keyboards, mac os, windows os, technology, startups, Differences, Unsung
- Source: Unsung — https://unsung.aresluna.org/deeper-dive-keyboard-differences-between-windows-and-macs
- Author: Marcin Wichary
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: windows, mac, keyboard, shortcuts, symbols, keyboards, mac os, windows os, technology, startups
## Different names for keys
Windows calls Backspace Delete; Mac calls it Delete. Windows calls Delete Forward Delete; Mac calls it Forward Delete.
## Enter and Return keys
Windows uses ⏎ Enter; Mac uses ⏎ Return. Macs also have ⌤ Enter on numeric keypads.
## Modifier keys
Windows uses Ctrl, Alt, Shift; Mac uses Command, Option, Control, Shift.
## Symbols vs words
Apple uses symbols on keys; Windows uses words like Ctrl, Bkspc, PrtSc.
## Key symbols
Mac symbols include ⇧ Shift, ⌃ Control, ⌥ Option, ⌘ Command, ⏎ Return, ⌤ Enter, 🌐 Globe/Fn, ⇥ Tab, ⎋ Esc, ⌫ Delete, ⌦ Forward Delete.
## Windows symbols
Windows symbols include ⇧ Shift, ⇧ for Shift, ⇧ for Shift, ⇧ for Shift.
## Shortcuts in menus
Windows joins key combinations with a plus; Mac glues them together.
## Function keys
Windows uses F1 for help; Macs don’t use function keys for common tasks.
## Extra characters
Apple uses ⌥ with printing keys for special characters like œ and ¶.
## Right Alt key
Windows uses Right Alt for special characters; Mac uses ⌥ for similar functions.
## Text fields
Mac uses ⌃A to move to start of line; Windows uses Shift+Delete for cut.
## Tab behavior
Windows tabs through all UI elements; Mac tabs only through input fields.
## PgUp and PgDn
Windows moves cursor; Mac scrolls view without moving cursor.
## Home and End keys
Windows scrolls to top/bottom; Mac scrolls without moving cursor.
## Less popular keys
Windows has Insert, Print Screen, Num Lock; Mac has Help, Contextual Menu, Clear.
## Historical keyboards
Older Apple keyboards used Windows legends for compatibility.
## Key takeaway

Windows and Mac keyboards use different key names, symbols, and shortcuts for common functions like Backspace, Delete, and Enter.