Best features of macOS in Windows

As Windows users, sometimes we miss some basic native macOS features. Here are some alternatives to improve your OS with those features that makes you jealous!

Mauricio B. Holguin
Mauricio B. HolguinList by Mauricio B. Holguin, last updated 
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  1. One of the things that I still don't like at all about Windows is definitely the poor and small amount of supported thumbnail formats, compared to macOS. It's not a secret to anyone that macOS has an incredible advantage when it comes to a friendly environment for designers. And as one, FastPictureViewer Codec Pack is an essential tool in my work, and I don't know how I could live without it before. It extend the compatibility of the thumbnails to other new formats such as PSD, Ai, PDF and many more.

    Just to keep in mind, this is an extra feature of FastPictureViewer icon FastPictureViewer, which is full image viewer for Windows, but I personally only use this codec.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    FastPictureViewer Codec Pack screenshot 1
    FastPictureViewer Codec Pack screenshot 1
  2. Image Resizer for Windows is a utility that lets you resize one or more selected image files directly from Windows Explorer by right-clicking.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Windows Explorer
    Image Resizer for Windows screenshot 1
    Image Resizer for Windows screenshot 1
  3. Switcher icon
     Like

    One of my favorite features in Mac OS is Expose, a built-in app that makes it easy to navigate through open windows and programs. In Windows Vista, the built-in Aero application switcher tries to approximate this function but doesnt do a good job.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Switcher screenshot 1
    Switcher screenshot 1
    Switcher screenshot 2
    +3
    Switcher screenshot 3
  4. For screenshots, windows has the Snipping Tool icon Snipping Tool by default, and although many people are fine with this, for me it doesn't compare with the macOS feature, not even with the windows 10 improvements. There are many popular options of screenshots apps for windows like Lightshot icon Lightshot or Greenshot icon Greenshot, but my chosen one is undoubtedly Screenpresso icon Screenpresso. Apart from the captures, it allows you to record videos, upload directly to Imgur (or other cloud services), panoramic captures, dropper, and much more. Just give it a try and the macOS screenshots feature will look like a children's game.

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Workspace
    Screenshot Settings
    Sharing Services
    +2
    Built-in Annotator
  5. An open-source Windows scripting language enabling task automation through hotkeys, macros, and keystrokes, useful for creating custom forms and automating data entry.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Tray menu
    AutoHotkey screenshot 1
    AutoHotkey screenshot 2
    +1
    AutoHotkey screenshot 3
  6. Clover icon
     Like

    And here's the thing I like least about Windows: Where the hell are the tabs for the File Explorer icon File Explorer ? 2017 and still nothing. Clover icon Clover adds this essencial feature, changing the way you interact with your pc, for real. At the moment, I would say it's the best option we have, with its developer updating it from time to time.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Windows Explorer
    Entire app window
    Clover in action on Windows 7 Classic Theme looks neat too. In the screenshot we're seeing also it's bookmarks bar.
    That's how tab looks here
    +4
    Upper menu
  7. RocketDock is a Mac OS X dock clone. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. With each item completely customizable there is no end to what you can add and launch from the dock.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    RocketDock screenshot 1
    RocketDock screenshot 1
    RocketDock on themed Windows 7
    +1
    RocketDock screenshot 3
  8. Seer Pro icon
     Like

    Seer is just magnificent. To be honest it's probably my favorite application from the list. It gives you the opportunity to have of "QuickLook" from macOS on Windows. Visualize your files with the space bar without even opening it, and best of all: It supports lots of unsupported formats in windows preview thumbnails by default, like .PSD, .Ai, .GIF and so on (Visualize photos and files, folders, play videos and open word, excel and powerpoint documents, etc). Its clean interface and speed will make it impossible to leave it! There's other alternatives quite recommended too such as QuickLook icon QuickLook, Give it a try!

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Seer Pro screenshot 1
    Seer Pro screenshot 1
    Seer Pro screenshot 2
    +5
    Seer Pro screenshot 3
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